The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-03-12

ter from what it was at the beginning
of this century. Still, it would be at
tended with enormous difficulties, no
the least of which would be the inhos
pitable climate, the impossibility O.
feeding an invading army on wild ant
sparsely. populated country, and th,
necessity which would fall on the IN
vaders OF drawing their supplies almos
wholly from their base. A line of com
munication might become SO much ex
tended that the troops requisite tc
guard the line and the officers necessary
to administer it would consume more oi
the provisions than the line itself could
bring up. In future wars it is doubtful
whether, considering the number o.
men that would probably be engaged,
it will ever be possible to rely on the
supply of an army from its base of com
munications. A weighty oppression,
however, hangs over the military Or
ganization of Russia. The official ad.
ministration is so corrupt that it is al
most certain that in case of war pecula
tion would be rife, and that the Russian
soldiers brave, loyal and hardy as they
might .be-would find themselves
worsted by an internal enemy more
deadly than any external foe. All this
is well known and talked of openly on
the soil of Russia.
SWEDEN AND NORWAY.
The united northern power of Sweden
and Norway possesses certainly small
but excellent army, but probably would
be too wise to enter upon any European
war, even of great dimensions. It
would have little to gain by descending
into the theater of contest, and possibly
might lose some provinces to Russia.
Denmark might, indeed, be anxious to
join an alliance against Germany, for
the sore of the SchlesWig-H Holstein
campaign is not yet healed over. But
she has been SO hampered by the war
of 1864, and her population has been
SO reduced, that her tiny army of 40, 900
men would rank as comparatively insig-
ni1cant in the consideration of the mil
itary capacities of the continent.
Turkey is always a source Of danger
IN European policy, and must be
almost nightmare in every foreign
office. " The men of the army are good,
but the administration of Turkey is
much more corrupt and venal even than
that of her northern neighbor, Russia.
The small principalities which form the
kingdom Of Roumania have an army
not to be despised. They could put in
the field about eighty thousand men,
and these not at all bad troops.
GERMANY.
It is Germany which is universally
considered at the present time to be
the frst-rate military power of Europe,
and toward it all eyes are directed.
The German army has proved itself to
be most admirable military machine.
Most armies after such successes as
those which have attended the German
army would have got idle and claimed
tbs right to rest on their laurels and
enjoy luxury and ease, but it is no
torious fact that the German officers,
high and low, have been working hard
er, 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 German
German army ever been in such first
rate condition as it is at She present
moment. Not content with the needle
gun, which showed an inferiority to
the Chassepot during the French war,
experiments have been instituted and a |
new arm has been adopted. which, il is |
confidently asserted, will be much
more superior to the Ohassepot than
ever the Chassepot was to the needle
gun. It is believed by the best judges |
that the German army now is the best |
armed force in Europe. As to the or
ganization 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 !, 200, 600 fighting
men in the field in case Of actual necea-
sity, and the reorganization of the
Landstrum will increase that force TO
perhaps ], 800, 600 mon. As to the pol
icy Of Germany towards other powers,
it is great mistake TO attribute blood
thirstiness to the Emperor William or
his heir, the Prince Imperial. Tt is
known by every body who has
knowledge Of the character of
the Emperor that he is peculiarly
kind and just, and rather soft-hearted
he Id loved by those who are brought in
connection with him, and is respected
by his household, and it has only been
after the strongest presentations from
his ministers, severe mental struggles,
self torture and deep and anxious pray
er, that he consented to enter into hos
tilities with neighboring powers. As
long as the emperor OF Germany can
exert his individual will there can be no
doubt that. although Germany will be
strictly fenced and guarded against any
attack from withouT, and will be held
in state Of the highest military prep
aration for every contingency, she
herself will not willingly commence
q war, or without very grave and
serious cause draw the sword from the
scabbard. Yet though the princes and
people OF Germany, alike combine In an
honest desire for peace, circumstances
may arise which may render them pow
erless TO avert bloodshed. There can
be no doubt that dislike exists between
the people of Russia and Germany, but
at the same time there is a strong per
sonal affection between the head Of the
house OF HohenzolleTn and the emperor
of Russia, springing from family con
nection and matured by reciprocal re-
speet; and as long as the present en-
peror Of Russia lives, hostilifies between
the two powers are not imminent. Ae-
cording to all human calculations the
life of Alexandria may continue for some
time.
DANGER OF WAR
It has been said that the danger Of
war between Germany and France does