The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-11-12
ECONOMY OF PEACE IN EUROPE.

During his late visit to Italy the Emperor
of Prussia said at Verona, in French, Il am
very much delighted with this reception be-
cause the friendship Of Prussia and Italy
assures European peace" An alliance be-
tween those two great powers would represent
seventy millions of people and a combined
army of more than two millions of troops Of
all arms, offering front so formidable as to
awe the other great powers into keeping the
peace. The Italians differ in character and
sentiment from the Germans, but both
are deeply interested in having a permanent
peace in Europe. The junction of two great
powers, representing rival religious scots,
would exert a potent influence in the proven
ton of anything like a religious warfare,
which is greatly feared by many Europeans.
Victor Emanuel is the exponent of representa-
tive monarchy or that sort of'government in
which the sovereign is the fountain of execu-
tive power, but in which the legislation is the
representative of almost pure imperialism.
When cemented by an alliance for mutual
Defense these two great powers would GER
tainly be capable Of SURPRISING license on
one hand and the aggressions Of absolutism
on the other, both being equally interested in
keeping the monster of communism or radical
mobocratic republioanism subdued and con-
fined. Italy is busy with unifcation and the
development of the resources of the United
Kingdom. Prussia is full of her indus
trial and educational pursuits, and while the
voice of her drillmasters is never still, and
the anvils of her arsensals are forever ringing,
her population is busy with wealth producing
labor. The empire is hive of industry, and
all the North German confederacy out of the
hands Of nurses and teachers are busily at
work providing wealth and resources for
peace or some great coming war.
1t seems, therefore, quite natural that the
grim old emperor should seek a cordial I'm.
derstanding with his gallant and boar-hunt-
ing cousin Of Italy, in order that they might
together maintain the peace Of Europe, until
one or the other, or both, might again be
ready to assert some new claim as a pretext
for some new war.
II there was any assured prospect of peace
for Europe for period Of fifty years the saw
ing would be enormous Italy would save
the expense of peace establishment of $780,
600 infantry, 10000 cavalry and $4,000 artil-
lery, with about 1900 guns, besides costly
navy-not less in the aggregate than 100000
men, each man absorbing the surplus labor
of not less than five subjects
Germany would save the subsistence of
$4,000 officers, 400, 900 men and 100000
horses and 5000 sailors in time of peace or
81, 900 officers, ], 800, 600 men, 271, 00O horses
and 247O guns in time Of war, or, il the land
strum is called out, 100000 soldiers and
$4,000 sailors, or one fighting man to every
twenty three Inhabitants.
Peace and disarmament would work a SINH
lar economy to other powers 1t would no
longer be necessary for thrifty Holland to
maintain $4,000 infantry and cavalry, los
field pieces, and navy of lib ships, with
9Sl guns and 1850 sailors and marines. Nor
would Belgium be longer obliged to keep in
garrison or the field 40,000 infantry and
cavalry, and an artillery of 152 guns. Sweden
and Norway might disband their 16i, 900 ia
fantry and cavalry, dismount their $50 guns,
and disarm their Is plated vessels of war. Lit
tie Denmark could then save the cost of sup
porting AZ battalions of infantry, 20 companies |
of engineers, and II batteries of artillery,
besides her 81 ironcad war steamers. With
such a peace colossal Russia would be /
able to layl aside her $4,000 fighting
infantry, her $4,000 cavalry, and her
$500 guns, as well as her 300 war vessels.
Even Turkey might be able to dispense with
large part Of her $4,000 fighting infantry,
her q, 900 cavalry, her GAS guns and her mag
niicent navy, for the support of which she is
taxing away the life-blood of her rural popu-
A settled peace would spare to
Russia the cost of supporting 944, 900 infantry
and cavalry, and artillery numbering 276S