The St. Cloud journal., 1875-03-04
GERMANY.

Germany Is universally considered
at the present time to be the frstrrate
military power Of Europe, and to-
wards it all eyes are directed. The
German army has proved itself to be
a most admirable military machine.
Most armies after such successes as
those which have attended the Ger.
man army: would have got idle and
claimed the right to. rest on their
laurels and enjoy luxury and ease,
but it is notorious fact that the Ger
man officers, high and low, have been
working harder perhaps than they
worked before the late war in order
to keep their army from retrograding
and to bring it steadily forward.
The opinion Of those who witnessed.
the late Germ an maneuvres is, that
at no time has the German army ever
been in such frst-rate condition as it
is at the present moment. Not con-
tent with the needle-gun, which show
ed an inferiority to the Chas,epot
during the French war, experiments
have been instituted and new arm
has been adopted, which, it is conf
denlty asserted, will be much more
superior to the Chassepot than ever
the Chassepot was to the needle-gun.
1t is believed by the best judges that
the German army is now the best
armed force in Europe. AS to the
organization of the army, there can
not be two opinions it has passed
through the fire of three wars, and
has proved its capacity. The empire
could at the present time, put 1,,200,-
600 fighting men into the field in case
of actual necessity, and the reorgan-
ization of the Landsturm will increase
that force to perhaps 100000 men.
As to the policy of Germany towards
other powers, it is great mistake to
attribute blood thirstiness to the EN-.
perof William or his heir, the Prince
Imperial. It:is: known by everybody
who has a knowledge Of the character
Of the Emperor that he is peculiarly
kind and just, and rather soft-hearted
he is loved by those who are brought
in connection with him, and is respect
ed by his household, and it has only
been after the strongest representa-
| tions from his Ministers, severe men
tai struggles, selftorture, and deer
and anxious prayer. that he consent
ed to enter upon hostilities with
neighboring powers. AS long as thu
Emperor Of Germany can exert hi
individual will,> there can be nc
doubt that, although Germany viii
be strictly fenced and guarded against
any attack from without, and will
be held in state Of the highest mil.
itary, preparation for every contin
gency,,i she herself will not willingly
commence war, or without a very
grave and serious cause draw th.
sword from the scabbard. Ye
though the Princes and people o
Germany alike combine in an homes
ldesire for peaee, !, circumstances ma,
arise which may render them power
less to avert bloodshed. There ca,
be no doubt that dislike exists be
tween the people Of Russia and Ge1
many, but at the same time there is
4 strong personal affectiontbetween tn
head of the. House Of Hohenzoller,
and the Emperor Of Russia, springinl
from family connection, and maturet
by reciprocal respect; and as long 4
the -present5emp Of Russia live.
hostilities between the two, powers ar
not imminent. According to: all hu
man calculations, the life Of .Alexan
!; der may continue for some time.