Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-02-04
RuMoRs OF WAR.

The cable lately made mention OF
the gloomy forebodings Of the London
Times as to an impending war between
Germany and her neighbors. No in
ltelligence has, however, yet reached
this country confirmatory of what may
be only vague apprehension. '1n
the surrounding gloom, says the
Times, zone thing is perceptible: all
men are arming" 1t is because of this
ssgloom" that most people cannot see
enough of what is going on to enable
them to prophecy good or evil. Thai
men are arming in Europe is true.
Germany is inc easing her military and
naval power Russia is so determined
to develop her resources of bone and
muscle that the Menaonites are cross
ing the Atlantic to escape military SER
vice. France is filling up her shattered
ranks as rapidly as possible, but both
nations have to repair the losses, Of
the late war, and France is in no con.
dition to disturb the peace. Spain is
the only European country which is not
at peace, but her condition is civil war.
which may be almost said to be hel
normal condition. In regard to the
outrage by Spanish Carlists on a Ger
man vessel, it appears that Germany is
entirely satisfied with the steps taken
by Spain to procure reparation. On
the other hand, the Times has unusual
opportunities to ascertain the opinions
entertained by the British foreign office
on this subject. The present oppressive
scale of European ornaments must be
taken into account when considering
the probabilities of war in Europe.
The German empire is said to have
raised last year about seventy five
millions Of dollars for the army and
twelve millions for the navy, in addition
to which is an expenditure out of,tbe
proceeds of the French indemnity Of
eighty millions of dollars OH fortresses
and military equipments, twenty three
millions on the fleet, and twenty eight
millions held as ready money for the
military strong box. The Austro-
Hungarian monarchy has a peace es-
tablishment of 100000 men, and can
raise its force in time of war to 100000
men, involving a burden of about forty
six millions year. Russia has peace
establishment of 750, 900 soldiers which
she con raise in time of war to 1900
600. This is said to involve an annunl
cost of 100000, GOO The peace es-
Enlistment Of France has already
reached half million of men, and
those available in time. of war are reck-
oned over a million, while her territorial
militia and its reserves will number
about a million and quarter more, in
volying an expenditure of over one
hundred millions year. In truth, the
palpable fact, that ifFrance is allowed
time to complete her new military or.
ganization, Germany will be in danger
of losing all the results of the late war,
is the real menace to the peace of
Europe. Nothing is clearer than that
the French people will have their re-
venge on Germany as soon as they are
able, and Germany understands chat as
we'll as France does. Is Germany
going to wait, then, till France is ready
to renew the war7 That is the CUES
ton The repeated attempts of Bis
mark to provoke France to a quarrel
! shed light enough on that point AT
the same time Germany must have a
plausible pretext for war, or the public
sentiment-or it might be more accu-
rately designated the interests Of such
great powers as Russia and Austria
might be against her. Neither of them
can afford to permit Germany, any
more than France, to change the whole
map of Europe by its aggressive ambl>
ton
| We in this country have reason te
congratulate ourselves that we are free
from the great causes of this state oil
things in Europe-imperial power
dynastic jealousies, and large standing
armies. The people of the old world
are willing enough to be friendly tc
each other They have no interests
but those of peace. War to them is
ruin, misery, unmixed evil. 1t is only
the kings and the military leaders who
derive benefit from setting the people
to cutting each others threats. The
lessons to be derived by Americans
from such facts are obvious. We
should be taught to appreciate more
highly our republican institutions, and
to set our faces like flint against the
one>mau power and the increase OF
standing armies. There is no excuse
for either the one or the other here
We are not surrounded by powerful
nations, as France and Germany are,
! to threaten our safety and independ-
ence. Nor is there any possible use
to which a large army can be put, ex-
cept to take away from us the rights Of
freemen, and convert us into slaves of a
MILITARY 1acpotiam .f