The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-10

nations Of the world is seen in the sympathy
which the political condition of one country
imposes upon another. Notwithstanding
the acrimonies which so often disturb
diplomacy-even to cruel and unnecessary
vars-the progress Of civilization has brought
the nations nearer and nearer. Steam, the
telegraph, the progress Of religion, free trade,
travel, literature, cheap newspapers, are all So
many agencies that make more and more
possible the fraternity Of the human race.
Science and education seem to be the best
ministers of democracy and peace. Let
us compare the world as it is in the
nineteenth with what it WAS in the
eighteenth century, and we shall see the
extent and value of these changes, and how
futile are the experiments of those statesmen
who believe that any success in war or diplo-
macy, any measure of annexation, con-
quest or violence, will render possible an
absolute violation of justice. Europe is now
in fretful, irriiated condition because Of
the injustice which marked the close of the
last war, especially in the dealings of Ger
many with France. Every day or two we
| have an uneasy rumor from the Continent
England, powerful and growing, the branches
Of her empire spreading out until they
/ overshaoow the world strong in her
wealth, her naval supremacy and her national
character, looks with uneasy eyes over the
''silyer thread Of sea- that separates her
silver-coasted island from Holland and France
The House Of Commons, in time Of pro-
found peace, discusses no subject with half
the eloquence that is bestowed upon war.
The manhood of Europe is under drill Ger
many, Prussia, Italy, Austria and France are
straining the mighty resources of their empires
to excel III military excellence, and it would
not surprise us if tomorrow the tramp of
armed men were suddenly heard from the
Seine to the Danube.
All the world is held in pause and anxiety
because of this condition Of affairs. 1t is
four years since peace was declared between
France and Prussia, but there is no peace
Prussia crowned her imperial greatness by
overthrowing Bonsparle In six years she
had marched from victory to victory over Den
mark. Austria and France Fer when Sedan
was won six years had only passed since Bis
marck roughly declared that there was no
policy but 'blood and iron that would save
Germany. In these six years Europe had seen
three wars, each of them won By Prussia. In
Six years Prussia had dismembsred Denmark,
Austria and France had lifted out of the
dust into which it had been thrown by
Napoleon the crown OF Charlemagne and
! placed it on the brow Of her King Surely if
any war could bring peace, 1t would be war
that had such close. Why is it thus, that
\ Europe has never been SO disturbed as since
4 Sedan? Why is it that since Bismarck and
\ Theirs signed the peace of Frankfort Europe
has been in state Of unrest and uproar ?
1t is because cruel war ended in an unjust
peace. Only few weeks since the Lon
don Tines with unusual emphasis, pointed
out that Europe was a camp, and that
Germany had summoned The nations to arms.
And now comes the announcement OF
Berlin journal, supposed to represent the
! opinions or Prince Bismarck, that the
German Chancellor really thinks that France,
under the lead Of the Orleans princes, means
to ''precipitato war Of revenge !" that in
Austria the conservatives look toward such
movement with hope and expectation that
the upper classes Of Italy would gladly war
| upon Germany to show their appreciation Of
\ the Pope that France looks toward an Austro-
/ Italian alliance, and that tho time has come
to awake the slumberers' and ''acquaint them
with the realities OF the situation At the
same moment there is an angry question be-
\ tween Germany and Belgium, a question re-
minaing IL II the complaint made by the wolf
in regard 70 the wicked lamb that would
trouble the stream.
This warning from Berlin, coming SO hard
upon the menacing note 70 Belgium, is full Of
significance. 10 one for moment supposes
that Bismarck really means to quarrel with
honest, industrious, harmless Belgium, whose
people have done nothing but hammer and
dig and stitch since Waterloo, caring little for
the conflicts thai now and then surrounded
them. But Belgium is good prstext for an
alert statesman with purpose to serve and
anxious fer even the shadow Of motive 70
guide lis hand. France has given him no
such motive. France. animated BY the wisest
and most patient statesmanship, has sub
mitted to bUGetiny, c1nsura, insult and scorn.
She has paid her money, kept her peace, and
cast cannon. ~ attack France under such
circumstances would he q war Of wantonncss
and outrage, offending civilization, prccipiiat-
ing alliances that Germany does not care to
encouu.cr and above Ell, summoning 70
war Of defence and despair a people who
once traycrscd Europe under the flag Of Q
republic, and who, notwithstanding Sedan,
are ready to start on the same adventure.
Therefore, since France has not permitted the
opportunity 70 Bismarck o. a direct renewal
of the war On the Rhine, Els policy has been
To enfold il with unfriendly States Thus We
have seen his power in Switzerland, in Italy,
in Spain. II he could only make these