The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-10-27
Russia Reorsanixlng Her Army-A Mem
acinx Movement.

achn& MOv0mouts
In our columns Of this morning we print
special cable despatch to the HERALD which
proves beyond all possibility Of doubt that
Russia Is preparing for war. The purport OF
the despatch is that the army Of Russia is to
be not only completely recognized but enor-
mously increased as whole and strengthened
In its departments. The whole people are to
be trained to arms after the model Of Prussia
Such additions are to be made to the army
that in time Of war the total forces available
for immediate use will not be under one
million six hundred thousand men. So
thorough and complete is the reform intro
duced that it is reasonable to conclude that
in the event of invasion every able bodied
Russian will virtually be soldier. The new
arrangement makes provision for peace times;
but the new army on q peace footing will be
formidable enough for war purposes.
What does this new movement in Russia
mean? That Is the question which most
people, in running over the figures of our
special despatch, will this morning ask. The
simplest answer that can be given 10 the
question is-It means war; 1t has been quite
manifest to thoughtful observers for some time
past that the late Franco German war had not
pacified warlike spirits in Europe. II was
gain certainly to find that France was put
under bonds to keep the peace. But all that
France lost Germany gained. The centre Of
power was transferred from Paris to Berlin.
The late conferences held at Gastein and at
Salzburg encouraged the feeling that the pur-
poses Of Bismarck had not been extensively
carried out. that some work remained to be
done, and that 1t was likely to be finished
with as little delay as possible 1t was known
that Russia was not quite satisfied with the
result of the war. 1t has since come TO light
that Bismarck bought Russia before the war;
as he once bought Austria, and rs he once
bought France, and that Russia has no reason
yet to boast that she has been paid in better
coin than either Of the other two Powers. In
plain terms, Russia and Germany are not
agreed. Bismarck has made sure the alliance
of Austria; and Russia to-day finds herself
absolutely isolated in Europe France is her
only possible ally; but poor France, now
that she begins to feel the weight of her
enormous debt, Is of the opinion that war
might increase rather than diminish her
troubles. Denmark dare not move. Sweden,
if she finds it impossible to maintain absolute
neutrality, will boldly espouse the cause of
Germany and fight for the restoration of her
long lost provinces to the north Of tho Baltic.
Great Britain, of course, will content herself
by looking on. 1t is our confident belief that
fho xuiU ha hot
Germany. The presumption is that Austria
will fight on the side of Germany, and it is
not impossible that France, encouraged by the
hope of getting rid of the remainder of her
indemnity, will espouse the cause Of Russia.
A cause of quarrel between Russia and
Germany will be easily found when required. A
Prince Of the House Of Hohenzollern rules on
the Lower Danube. Roumania is barrier
wall between Russia and Turkey Austria is
10 trouble with her Sclaves In Austria or
Roumania trouble might arise at any moment
sufficient to bring Germany aud Russia into
actual conflict 1t is suspected by mauy--it
is said to be known for certain in some quar-
ters-that Bitmarck intends to play bold
part in the ne KIT great conflict. In Europe
Germany has no rival but Russia. Determined
to leave Germany mistress of Europe and
to establish an empire more power
full than that of Charlemagne, it is
Bismarck's intention, so it is said, to
proclaim the independence of Poland. To this
end he is willing to part with that portion of
Poland which Prussia owns. Austria, it is
said, is willing to make similar sacrifice. It
Is known that some time since, when France
was in her agony, the head ceutres OF the |
secret societies Of Poland instructed the Poles
in France to hold of, to fight no more for
France, and for the reason that all hopes for
the restoration of the old Sarmatian kingdom
centred in Berlin, not in Paris. II is well
known how the Poles fought in the armies of
the First Napoleon. II is well known how
hopefully they looked for time to the Third |
Napoleon. II requires not to be told how in |
both cases they were deceived. If Bismarck
can rally the Poles around him, Austria fight
ing heartily in the same cause, Russia will not
have the shadow Of chance Of success. 1t |
would be strange to see Poland restored as
one of tho kingdoms Of Europe but t.would |
not be more strange than many things which |
have happened in this eventful age. Most |
certainly the Polish kingdom, restored under
Hohenzollern, would be powerful barrier wall
between Russia and Germany. The restora-
ton OF Poland would be stroke OF policy not
unworthy of the daring and fertile genius OF |
Bismarck. All things considered we think I
II fair to regard in q serious light this |
reorganization Of the Russian army. II is, in |
our judgment, response to the Gastein and |
Salzburg conferences. Europe gravita.es to-
wards unity. Before it can be one united re-
nuhlic II must come under tho coptroIi;nr in