Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-23
BIsMAROKs LAST NOTE AND TILE
EUROPEAN SITUATION.

various governments, from which it
would appear that the issue of peace or
war IN Europe rested absolutely on the
decision of these two potentates. The
Chicago Times takes a gloomy view of
the situation in Asia as wella as Europe,
arguing that the monster con-
fict of races nov developing can.
not be stayed. In its view
the course of events tends inevitably to
the Germanizing of all Europe and
the Russianizing Of Asia. This means
the obliteration of British rule in the
East and the absorption of Turkey on
both sides of the Bosphorus by Russia.
Austria may be naturally German, and
England may have strong German
sympatlies, as the Times argues, but
we doubt much that they are strong
enough to cOuntenance such a pro-
gramme as is here indicated. France
is not likely, therefore, to stand alone
when thenext shock of battle comes,
and the recognition of a common dan
ger may serve to re-unite the Latin
races, fanked by England on the one
side, while the recent visit Of the Aus
trian Emperor to Italy may have some
significance on the other.
Scanning over theexciting dispatches
of the early portion of May, the Near
York Bulletin concludes that the Gar,
alarmed at the threatening situation,
hastened to Berlin and found Germany
actually on the eve of marching upon
France, Belgium being a mere pretext;
and that she was restrained only by
the urgent pressure of Russia, backed
by that Of England The whole affair
is summed up in the following from the
London Times:
''There could hardly be a more crit
| ical situation than existed in Berlin
upon the arrival of the Emperor Of
Russia. The German Government
may be able to declare that a hostile
movement was never officially enter
tanned; but a few days since there was
serious danger that warlike counsels
would prevail. We may suppose that
Prince GoTtschakoff courteOusly ex-
pressed the determination to treat as
an enemy the first State disturbing
peace. In spite Of England's attitude
of reserve, we believe the government
thought it a national duty, in the re-
cent crises, to express its opinion very
| deClsIVely IN regard to circumference
| Of peace. The communication was
amicably received and a most satisfac-
tory reply returned. France has ex-
pressed acknowledgement Of England's
friendly attitude"
1t is remarkable that two nations
which are at daggers' points in Asia,
should unite to'preseTve the peace Of
Europe; and the question which
naturally arises is, why should the
Gar care for peace? Why not let
Bismarck light his conhagratioD, IN
volving England. and SO leaving the
way clear for Russia IN Asia? The
only answer to this must be that the
Gar Is not yet ready 70 strike; his
plans are not complete. But Bismarck
Is ready and must lose IN morale by
every month Of delay, because he is
keeping Germany on the strain, while
his foes gain time for better PREPARATION.
Russia and Germany acting in unison
might indeed divide the Eastern CONT
nent at will, but the circumstances in
dictate that they cannot strike stimuli
taneously, and there is hope for hu-
mainly that the threatened combina-
ton Of these two monsters of centrali-
zation may be broken, so that the
world can meet each separately.
That Bismarck is ready, and painting
for the fray, again becomes evident in
the dispatches Of yesterday. Little
Belgium has received another note,
The request embodied, to prohibit re-
Hgious professions, Is more imperious
and unreasonable than those Of three
weeks ago. To ask a neighboriGg ma
ton to suppress religious professions
Is an astonishing stretch Of interna-
tionaI impudence. Belgium may, as
before, plead IN bar her liberal Consti-
tutiyn, which guarantees freedom of
conscience; but it happens that she
gives another sort Of answer, perhaps
undesignedIy. Simultaneous with this
new request from Germany comes in
formation that the Belgian courts have
dismissed the charges against Du-
chesne, the alleged conspirator, whose
case was the only tangible basis for
Bismarck's former notes. The same
day comes news of fresh proceedings
against Catholic Bishops by the Italian
Government, which, Of late, has heen
rather lukewarm in the work.
What does all this mean? Very
possibly it means that Bismarck, being
ready, has concluded 20 go ahead with
out the countenance of Russia, and
that a way has been found to break the
entente cordial between Austria and
Italy, securing the latter for the Ger
man cause. When a whole nation has
been drilled up to the last strain of
military efficiency, and so drilled for a
definite purpose, the time has come for
accomplishing that purpose. With the
fast coming summer and growing
crops, the favorite season for fighting
to advantage and living on the enemy's
country, is fast approaching. To let
this summer slip by unimproved is to
give France another twelvemonth for
preparation. Unless Bismarck is a
fool, traitor to his own cause, floods of
human gore must mingle with the wine
of the coming harvest.
Why this bloody alternative? Be-
| cause Bismarck confesses that he made