Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-07-22
THE POLICY OF
EMPIRE.


or since he assumed his new dignity, he
has never thought proper to use the
phrase so frequently on the lips
of the man he conquered ct Sedan
''The empire it is peace" William has
indeed expressed the hope that friendly
relations with other nations might be
maintained, and that no more such wars
as the one Just ended would require the
expenditure of his peoples treasure and
blood; but at the same time, says the st.
Louis Republican he has given Europe |
and the world'to understand in unmistak-
able terms, that united Germany is ready |
for any emergency which may srise, and
fears no enemy near or far. In view OF
the perfect understanding known
TO exist betwe n Russia end Ger
many, the complete destruction OF
France as military power OF the hfst
rank leaves the field absolutely free from
dangerous rivals. Austria, with the
memories of SadoWa still in Eer heart
has no desire to rick repetition OF that
bitter lesson. England has done with
her Quixotic campaigning, and will never
fight again unless she is compelled to;
while Italy, Spain and the rest of the
smaller States are only anxious to avoid
| the clutch of the black eagle. Therefore
| if Germany earnestly desires peace there
is no perceptible reason why she should
not have it, and that the German people
do desire it there can be no doubtful
the policy of the German Government
possibly points in another direction. BE
this as it may, it is quite evident that the
millennial era is not to be inauguratts
at Berlin Immediately, snd the
transformation of swords into
| plough shares and spears into
pruning hooks-which come persons an
ticipaied-is indefinitely postponed. In
short, military preparations on a large
scale are already in progress, for we lea'n
that the new srmy of the empire is fixed
at eighteen corps with another half corps
in process Of formation. The great ar
senal at Spandau is being materially in-
creased in capacity; Krupp, the famous
manufacturer of heavy guns, is hiring
thousands of workmen, and defensiye
works in Alsace and Lorraine, which, &C
! cordng to official opinion, will not be
needed for twenty years, are pushing for
I ward toward completion. The neWspa-
, pers which represent the sentiment of the
army, say that the Southern frontier
will soon be made so iGDpregnable
that the services Of Metz can be dis
, ! pensed with entirely except as base foI
offensive operations. The Notifications
along the northern coast and the banks OF
the Eibe, are being elaborated and com
| pleted; WIlhelmshafep, the depot of the
navy, is full of laborels, new iron clsds
are building, new naval maps preparing,
, and canal is projected which will units
the waters of the German ocean will
those Of the Baltic. 1t is d signifcan
fact that with the exception Of the for
tresses in the newly acquired provinces.
| all the rest of the Notifications are on thG
north and west; so that the advance, il
, any be contemplated, is likely to be ii
, those directions. This confirms what VI
! have heretofore remarked, that Germany
has no designs ia the Est, unless it b.
the cutting of i smSil slice from Aus ria
and that her interests, IS well o
the natural features of the situation
tend elsewhere. 4 nation already e,
great in everything else, cannot afford I,
rest Content with such Q short COast-line
the marine frontier must be extended
commerce thereby increased, and q nav,
constructed commensurate with the want
and dignity Of the empire. The deman.
: for Helisoland is another proof that TIL
programme is in contemplation, for un
less Germany is resolved to play nor
,, prominent part upon the sea than she We
has done, the possession Of an insignifi
s cant island, however important its posi-
: | ton, would hardly be worth asking for
f We think that the element known s
+ manifest destiny will sooner OF later lea,
( to the absorption of Holland ard Belgium
q and though a generation may eIspse befoI
a the BUSINESS is cOnsummated, yet if th
e | German empire remains intact il will sureI,
!, | swallow up these two counties, and il
p all probability include Denmark also
0 And whenever Germany decides TO max
e this addition to her territory, VIC do 60
S see where successful opposition is to com
= from. Holland, Belgium and Dermarl
a united would be but pigmy compare,
f with the Teutonic giant, ard England
: protest and threaten IS she might, woult
|: scarcely try the chances of battle for th,
e sake of her weaker neighbors. SEcA, W
I believe is the next move or the EuropeaI
. Chess board; such the policy which Bis
, marck and William have in view, anC
= which their successors, if not themselves
a will certainly accomplish. Until tn
, proper time arrives, the empire will b.
peace, but an armed peace, ready at any
/ moment for vigorous and triumphan
= war.