The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-09-06
The RejoicIngs OF Germany.


We observe that throughout the German
Empire the anniversary of Sedan has been
celebrated as national holiday. On
this day fell the French Empire We can
well understand how an event of such i'm
portance would interest people like the
Germans, who have for centuries been yearn-
ing for national unity. History will record
the battle of Sedan as the most important
anniversary of the age since Waterloo.
We also think it will be question whether
the results of this great victory will be to the
advantage OF civilization, or even to the well
fare of the German people themselves.
There is no peace between France and
Germany, only suspension of hostilities
The paramount thought in the breast of
every Frenchman is that the time will come
when he will redeem his country from the
humiliation imposed upon it by Germany
Impartial thinkers also feel that, in gathering
up the results of the war; the Germans made
mistake. They did not see that even
victory would not justisfy them in attempting
to destroy rival nation. France is not
destroyed Her people have shown great
ness surprising even the antlcipations OF
their most sanguine friends. We question
whether, even with the vast payments made
by the French to the Germans, France is not
richer to-day than her great antagonist
The penalty which Germany pays even for
national unity is vast standing army.
This she imposes upon her neighboring
nations. How can a truce which converts
every citizen into soldier and every village
into an armed camp be called peace? Eu-
rope is now an armed camp. This is mainly
because of the battle of Sedan Germany has
1,700 600 men under arms, including her army
and navy. For these, although she is
economical beyond any other nation in
Europe, she pays 500, 600, 900 year. Eng
lands soldiers and sailors comprise nearly
half million men, at yearly cost OF
1924, 900, 600. Austria spends SD, 900, 900 a
year for an army of 535, 900 men, although
she has difficulty in paying her debts. We
find even little countries like Belgium and
Denmark with large armies, costing millions
of dollars every year. Spain, whose credit
is mockery in the money markets of
Europe, whose industry is paralyzed and
her commerce little more than a name
Spain, with every impetus to economy and
retrenchment and peace-must have 270, 900
men, for which she pays over $50, 000 900
year. France, with her army and navy,
has l. 700, 600 men under arms, costing
S135, 000 900 per annum. Even Greece, who
cannot suppress the brigands that infest her
hills, must have $4,000 men. Italy, which
would not send q commission to the Cen
tennial Exhibition of Philadelphia for rea-
sons of economy, can afford to keep several
hundred thousands of men under arms at a
cost of nearly $50 900, 600 per annum ; while
little Holland, one of the most useful and
harmless countries in Europe, finds 100000
men necessary for her independence. Even
Sweden, away, we should think, from the
sweep of European ambition and protected
by her isolation, is compelled to keep
160, 900 men under arms Switzerland has
100000, and Turkey is rapidly going to the
devil with an army of 100000 men.
Altogether, therefore, Europe to-day has
over 1900, 900 soldiers under arms for which
she spends nearly 500, OOO,OO per annum.
This is one of the fruits of the policy pur-
sued by Germany since the great victory at
Sedan