Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-07-21
THE SITUATION IN EUROPE.

THE SITUATION IN EUROPE.
The situation Of matters In Europe is such as
will be regarded with deep interest by every
citizen ~ this natior. The nations now involved
in war, France and Prussia, hold command-
ing position on that continent, and the success Of
either nation will have powerful effect on the
people and nationalitics of that portion Of the
globe.
Should France triumph. her Emperor, ms "ihc
man or destiny" will but accomplish that which
his uncle, the first Napoleon, sought to attain,
that is the subordina,ion of every nation to his
absolute authority, and from his tendencies in
the past, we may naturally expect a restriction
of the freedom Of the p-ess, and also Of the civil
and religious privileges wbi"h are now dawning
en- the down trodden nationali!les ,,f Europe.
Should Prussia prevail in the coutes. it will
consolidate the German element Of Europe under
one strong government, which win overshndow
all neighboring monarchical powers. but the
freedom of liberal ideas will not be restricted by
it. Under the Enlightened influence of its con-
trolling power. Germany the cradle Of litcra-
ture, and Of art, and of freedom Of conscience in
matters Of religion, and Of science--will, by its
center or nursery in which to develope and ma
ture these preci us buds of social, civil, religions
and Of national life. Viewing the past relations
Of the beligerenfs from such stand point, our
sympathies are with Prussia.
War In any case other thar for human free
dom Is terrible resource, which entails vast
misery and but little good. But when waged
frnm mere wantouness, and merely to crafty
personal ambition and national vanity, the ag-
pressor illustrates in the national character the
condition Of theitger ready with its bloodlhirsty
fangs to spring on any victim. Such il the po-
sition now occupied by the French Emperor
lie sought to fasten his fangs on Mexico, and
thereby occupy position in which to coasoli-
date his forces, ,1u! at fitting moment s:ring up
on the throat Of this nation. In that scheme he
has met scandalnus defeat, ami his chief tool
the so called Emperor MAxIMLLIAN, met an un-
timely death. 80.
In the late conflict between Prussia and Aus
triar which ended with the sanguinary conflict OF
Sadowa. he but anticipated the exhaustion of
each nation and was ready at the fitting moment
tn spring upon Prussia, and in the moment of
her weakness obtain concession Of territory OIL
the Rhine. The amazing successes of Prussia
against Austria again disappointed the beast of
wr, and he skunk away to his den dishonored in
the eyes Of Europe and of the French people.
fince that period he has been diligently prepar-
in for war, ,whether just or unjust was to him
hut Of little consequence. Now the period has
arrived and his motive for declaring urises
from the fact that petty prince Of Prussia, LIZ
oroLD of HohenzDllcrn, was invited by Spain 10
become candidate for the crown Of that natl, n.
NAPoLEoN demanded from the king of Prussia
the exercise Of his authority TO prevent LEoPoLD
from accepting the crown OF Spain, and also de-
manded that Prussia shall guarantee that the
Prince shall not at any time hereafter be a can
.diiate. The first demand has been acquicsed
in, Prince LEOPOLD has pablicly announced his
withdrawal, but the guarantee demanded con-
cerninE the future was refused by Prussia For
that reason, on Friday last the French Emperor
issued his declaration Of war. A war thus
wantonly wuged from such motives can have
bat little sympathy from reasonable and thonght-
fnl men, and it is IN be earnestly hoped III The
aggresssr ssay receive such punishment for this
act Of bieedthirsty arrogance as will hereafter
be a warning TO all who may follow his example.
The following particulars regarding the bel
ligerent nations will furnish our readers some
idea Of the terrific conflict which may be expect
ell betwees them. From the relative discipline
and numbeps Of the armies in array against each
other, and from the vast Improvements made in
the weapons Of war, their clash at arms will
be amazingly destructive To human life:
France has 4l4.632 soldiers ON the peace foot
ing and 647 ,27I in Ire field, tftal of nearly
loo, 900. or these, $40, 900 are ready TO march
at the tap Of the drum.
Austria has 218, ,470 men on the peace estab-
lshmeRt, S33; 200 on a war strength, or 400 900
fully prepared 81 move. Could the South Ger
man Confederation, or group of States, be So
cured on the same side, they have 66.540 men
IN the peace. or l49 l06 on the war footing, with
I9T 900 OF these prepared for instant service.
Such enaitian would give France the contrul
ef777 900 fighting men at once, with reserve
of ,596 LOG trained soldiers. -.-
On thesOther hand Prussia has 726 900 men
nn, the peace OF i ,26C 900 on the war footing,
with 100000 now ready for Opperation on her
western frontier. North Germany, going with
Prussia, has 526 on the peace, ISL 1868 on the
field or $780, IN the war footing, of which
SIC, 900 age, Instantly available. This would
place at Pfussian disposal 8i6,0 900 men for the
first mnmentg and l,346,32l in reserve. Thus
she would have, instantly, $1,000 men nlore
aud hereafter, 23l 1885 less than the French al
lance. Sho1ld she be able to manage South,
ern Gernfany for her cause she wOnld have
I,053,000 men, or l76 900 more than France IA
move at once, or quite enough IN cope with her
and Austria together, for the time being, with
all the advantages Of a common language and
positon. This would leave Prussia still re-
serve Of ,44la27 men, or only l5i,319 less than
that of France and Austria cOalsced-a differ
nnce swAmped To the extent Of nearly 10000
men by her superiority of immediate force.
Italy, out of a force Of 3I0,T2l on war foot
ing with 100000 as a reserve, or 563,72l in
ali, e,uld spar possibly 200 900 men to operate
an the French: frontier or hold hostile corps il
check. TIE direct aud open participation a
Russia is hardly TO be expected unless circum
stances should flrce her into the melee. Ia
that case she conld dispos of $50 600 men from
abuut 700005 composing her army in Enrepe
including The COssacks. She could take NJ
other course by family alliance. position ant
the recollection of Crimean wounds than 10 al'
Prussia. Sweden and Denmark would, II the!
dared TO move at al, have To go 10 the same d.
rectiun with about $4,000. Thus Italy, th
Gar and hIScandinavia wonld bring King vii
liam about 800, 900 men-a force that, will
South Germany aid, would place him 43O,Oo
ahead of France, allowing England, Belgium
llolllandfaid Switzerland to remain neutral.
THE FRENCH AND GERMAN GENERALS.
TWAS telegraphed few days since that Mar
shal MeMahOn would be put in immediate com
niand Of the army operating on the Rhine, ant
that Count PalikaO would command the troop
operating against Spain. Marshal McMahol
distinguished himsofin the last two great war
Of France that against Russia and that agains
Austria-in, the former Of which he was 'Ier
Of the MalakOf," aud in the latter the "hero o
Magenta" lie is now % years old, and is
Frenchman by birth, but descended from an an
cideut Irish family. He was educated at tlr
military school of 81. Cyr and took part in tn
French war In Algeria. For his achievcmen
in the Austrian war hewas created Duke OF Ma
genta. Marshal Baziine is IS years old, won hi
first laufels in Algeria, rendered eminent ser
vices in the Crimean war supersedsd G!nera