The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-20

OF EurOpe-Palnces and Cottages.
Once upon time the Emperor Napoleon
the First and the Emperor of Russia and the
King of Prussia met on raft on the river
little below Tilsit and signed a treaty, which
bears the name of Tilsit to this day. 1t was
famous meeting, that raft meeting at Tilsit.
The battle of jena had been fought. Napoleon
was in the zenith of his glory and power.
Prussia was in the dust. The Emperor Alex
ander was at his wits end. A very different
meeting took place In Paris seven years later.
Then the tables had been turned. Since 1914
and 1916 another Bonaparte has had power,
France has again basked in the sunshine of
successful Imperialism; but France has again
fallen, fallen into deeper depths than ever,
and at the meeting at Ems to-day France
is conspicuous by her absence. History
does repeat itself, but not without
variations. France has repeated her
Austerlitz at Solferino, and although
she has not been successful in repeating her
Jena, she has been taught to remember
through Sedan the memories Of another Mos
COW and of another Waterloo. The Emperor
William, the acknowledged representative of
the long -slumbering Barbarossa, and the Gar
Of all the Russias, the heir and representative
of Peter and Catharine, In solemn council at
Ems; the heir Of the Great Napoleon, himself
chief of the House Of Hapsburg left out in the
cold-behold the sweeping changes which
have taken place since 1866 !! Sadowa intro
duced new era. Its true character only
now begins to appear.
1t is undeniable that the two Emperors, the
uncle and the nephew, meet primarily for the
purposes of friendship. At ripe old age the
Emperor William has gone through all the
tolls and fatigues Of gigantic and protracted
war, and from one Of the most brilliant cam
paigns which the world has known-perhaps
the most briliant-he has come forth triumph
ant. 1t is natural for him, now that all the una
voidable pomp and parade have been gone
through, and the good people Of Berlin have had
their triumph, to seek little repose. And
where could he better enjoy that repose than
at Ems, in the company of his imperial rela-
tive? 1t would be absurd, however, to ina
CINE that this meeting Of the two Emperors is
destitute of political significance. Although
the war is ended. Germany triumphant and
France crushed and permanently weakened,
Europe has not settled down into condition
Of quiet and contentment. The storm is over,
but the waters have not yet subsidized. The
dove with the olive branch has not yet re-
turned. In the future of Europe the two EN-
perors are deeply interested. 1t is notorious
that the sympathy Of Russia was with Prussia
in her struggle with Austria, and that it has
France; and it is not to be denied that this
negative help Of Russia has been to Prussia
of untold value. Russia has her own ambi-
tious schemes. Has not the time come when
Russia might safely push these? Is not Prus-
STA bound to pay her debt, and do by Russia
what Russia has SO graciously done by her?
Have not both empires and the rulers of both
empires much to dread from common
dangers? Is it conceivable that the
two potentates are strangers to the writings
of the latest Hebrew prophet, and that they
do not already see the fulfilment Of the pre-
dictions of 'Lothair?' We may rest assured
that they have much to talk Of besides purely
family matters and it will not be wonderful
if the meeting of the two emperors at Ems
proves fruitful Of events which shall startle
Europe and the world.
Let us look more infinitely into the condi-
ton of European affairs There is, first of all,
the question of the reconstruction of France.
- L. xLox g. r.
fhent is France to emerge from her troubles
and take her place in the family Of nations
A republic is perhaps more possible than the
monarchy or the empire; but French repub-
lie is the last thing which the monarchs of
Europe desire. In what way are the Germans
of Germany and the Germans of Austria to
be reconciled to their separate conditions?
There is 9 strong desire on the part Of both to
be brought under the same sceptre, in spite of
all that Baron Beust says to the contrary.
Will the Germans of the empire be satisfied
to allow their brethren to remain out
in the cold? Will the Germans Of
Austria content themselves in their isolated
condition? We do not raise these questions
They already agitate the German mind
wherever Germans are found; and they are
not more earnestly debated in Berlin and
Vienna than in New York and Cincinnati Is
the Eastern question settled? Who dare say
that it is? What thinking man but knows
that it is not? Some things in connection with
the Eastern question we know for certain. We
know that the viceroy of Egypt is impatient
to throw off the yoke of vassalage, and that
large army and powerful feet for no other
purpose than to be ready to make good his
opportunity. We know that Hohenzoern
reigns in the princpalties, and that the prin-