The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-03-12

join an alliance against Germany, fc
the sore of the Schles wig -Holstei
campaign is not yet healed over. Bu
she has been SO hampered by the wa
| of 1864, and her population has bee
so reduced, that her tiny army of 40, 90
men would rank as comparatively insin
| nifcaat in the consideration of the NIL
itary capacities of the continent.
TURKEY.
Turkey is always a source cf dange
in European policy, and must b
"almost a nightmare in every foreigl
Office" The men of the army are good
bat the administration of Turkey j
much more corrupt and venal even thai
that of her northern neignbor, Russia
Toe small priucipalities which form tn,
kingdom of Roumania have an arm,
not to be despised. They could put il
the field about eighty Thousand men
and these not at all bad troops.
GERMANY
1t is Germany which; is universally
considered at the present time to bt
the tirst-rate military power of Europe
and toward it all. eyes are directed
The German army has proved itsels tc
be most admirable military machine
Most armies after such successes as
those which have attended the German
army would have got idle and claimed
the 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
fy0r0 ToSra1-.cIInr~ 20
it steadily forward. The opinion OF
those who witnessed the late German
maneuveGs is, that at no time has the
German army ever been in such first
rate condition as it is at the 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, it is
confidently asserted, will be much
more superior to the Chassepot 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 10000 fighting
men in the field in case IF actual neces-
sity, and the reorganization of the
Landstrum will increase that force to
perhaps 1 10000 men. AS to the pol
icy of Germany towards other powers,
it is a great mistake to attribute blood
thirstiness to the Emperor William or
l,Ic ho1, tha Dr;non TpoYorioI 10
known by everybody who has
kno owledge 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, aud is respected
by his household, and it has only been
after the strongest representations from
his ministers, severe mental struggles,
and deep and anxious pray
er, that be consented to enter into hos
tilities with neighboting powers. As
long as the emperor of Germany can
exert his individual will there can be no
doubt that. although Germany will be
fenced and guarded against any
attack from without, aud will be held
in q state of the highest military prep.
aration for every contingency, she
herself will not willingly commence
a 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
al the same time there is str Ong per
sonal affection between the head of the
house of Hohenz0llern and the emperCr
of Russia, springiDg from family con
nection and maiurad 10y re ecipro cal re-
spect; and as long as the present en-
pei or of Russia lives, hostllities between
the two powers are not imminent. Ac
cOrdiDg to ali 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
not appear considerable, because of the
Of the latter at this time.
1t NAV be regarded as almost certain
that unless France should provoke Ger.
many to the utmost she would be con-
tent with guarding her newly acquired
and not again cross the
MoselIe as an invader, nor attempt to
dictate a new peace at the gates of
Paris. On the south matters hardly
appear to be so entirely satisfactory.
The inhabitants of Austria at large
have almost forgotten the war of 1866.
The benefits which accrued to their
country from the results Of that crush
ingly rapid campaign have been so
great that they have blOtted out the
sense of soreness that sprapg from the
dtfeats which the Austrian army suf-
fered. But though antagOnism against
Germany has ceased among the people
the ustro-HuDgarian en-
pire, it still turks between the cabinets
and governments Cf the two countries,
and on the Austrian side nCt only does
there appear to be feeling of personal
resentment against the cabinet OF Ber-
lin among some of the advisers of the
crown, but it is almost universally be-
lieved that the head of the state has
deep persoual and individual grIdge
against his northern reighbor, and re-
fuses to meet even half way, or perhaps,
in any way, the advances which have
often been made to him from Berlin.
This fact. if not clearly ascertained, is
at least thoroughly believed north of
the Giant Mountai' s, ard the belief
leads to a feeling of dlstrust on the
part of northern Germany towards
Austria. It is this attitude of the Aus
frian coart which is ore OF the prime
reasons why Germany keeps up her
great and expensive armament. But
this state of things caDnot always en-
dure. throughout the Fasheriand
there is a feeling that it must come to
an end, and that the only way to reduce
these enormous ornaments to footing
to the capabilities of the
people is to force on events, and come
how or other disarm those on account
of whom these military preparations
are necessary.
ENGLAND's POLICY.
What role would England take in
case of a great European contest? The
general answer will doubtless be-that
of neutrality. But is it possible that
neutrality can always be maintained
Ii the British realm were confined to
the two small islands which constitute
its heart, it might be true that
it could keep out of war, but with
wide spreading colonies and foreign
it would be almost i'm
possible for England to avoid taking