, 1875-06-28

DECLINE OF AN EMPIRE.
Never since the fall Of tho Persian and
Roman Empires has any great milton been
reduced to 50 supino and Anniliating con-
tlition as tho United Kingdom Of England,
Ireland, and Scotland today, II the state
ments Of m article in tile lnst number Of tho
Iortnightly Rerie'o aro to DO credited. We
refcr to paper entitled "Wlnt Could Wo
C0reat Britain Have Done for Frnnce or
Belgium 7'-presumably from tho pen of
Joux MonIEr, tho editor Of the Forsniqhtly.
It assumes, with good rcason, that the at.i-
ttNo of Germany toward France mud Belgium
Was positively hostile in tie recent co1nplica-
tons, nnl that there was something more be-
hind it than the shrieka Of d priest, tho Ben-
satioual articles Of d newspaper correspond
cnt or the drunken bonsta Of q Flemish tinker.
There is no question but Germany Inns an
ambition to become maritime power. THO
most eGectual way Of achieving this position
is tho annexation of SO much Of tho northern
part Of Belgium as would take In the strongly
fortified port Of Antwerp aud tho navigabls
River sche1dt. Antwerp is tho bcst harbor
for naval and commercial purposes between
Cadlx and Copenhagen. It Is directly east Of
London, md steamers drnwing &c feet of VIC
tar can i1oatup to its wharves and docks. The
possession Of Antwerp by tho German En-
pire would soon lend to m enormous
increase of the German navy, as well as
foreign commerce. This Important acquisi-
ton would naturally DO followed by that of
Holland and Denmark. anil, rs rcBult Of The
change, France would be pnralyzcd md the
commerce Of Great Britain threatened The
River Scheldt, in tho hands Of great power
like Germany, would become more important
than the Thalnes, md, with Antwerp in IN
inprcgnablo condition, would command the
movements Of Groat Britnin.
Tho threatened nnnihilation Of Belgium,
neutral, inoaensive, and helpless uation
by itself, is unquostionably thrust at Brit
aims greatness. Now, coacoling TINT 1t WIS
made, and, though withdrawn for tho time
being, may DO mado at any time again,
in what position is Great Britain to
mcot it7 This Is tho question dis
cusscd by the Fortnght!y, apl It's con-
clusions aro Of tic most startling nature.
The Duke Of Cambridge, Commantlcr.in.
Ci!iet Of the British army, recently spoke of
being ablc to get together for immediate eor-
vice about 10000 electives; tho Fortahdtly
assumes rhas this is the limit Of Grent Brit
ain'a prowess. It holds TINT, whether Cor
1nany should first attack Franco or march d.
rcctly into Belgium, tho result would DO tue
same,-the SUCCESS Of the German arms, aud
tho impotsnoy Of Great Britain to defend its
own interests. In short" 1t concludes, ali
wo examine fairly tie meana ut our present
disposal in money in naval strength, IN land
forcea, we must admit thatif Germany should
return suddenly to the policy threatened three
weeks since, England could do nothing for
France or Belgium"
To fully appreciate tho humiliation which
attaches to such q confession Of national i'm
potency, let us suppose that Canada wcro q
FREQ, Independent, and friendly nation, whose
protection from Invasion WIS necessary for
the preservation Of the integrity and COM
u1crco Of the United States. Then suppose
TINT some great powes-say Germany-woro
to organize an army to seizo Oanada and
possess itself Of Montreal, Quebec, and
other Canadian ports, with the purpose Of
undermining our commerce and threatening
the very existence OF our Government. II,
in TINT case, We should proclaim to tho
world that all our available resources for re-
sistanco aud lefcnse were limited to 60,
"utfeotivcs,' VIC should bo in the samo
lamentablo condition relatively as that
which tho Fortaighhy confesses rs ro-
gartla Great britain. Great Britain has
population Of 32,0O0, 900 people. At
the outbreak Of tho War OF tho Rebellion
the total white population Of this country did
not exceed $4,000, 600, North and South.
Taking the last three years Of the War, tho
North had ovor 1,000. 900 Of men under arms
constantly on population OF 20, 000, 900, and
the South half as many moro on population
OF 0,ooo,o0 During this time there was a
practical loss OF Con, 900 year in killed, sick,
wounded, and prisoners, but tho average OF
l,6oo, 600 etfectiyes in the field was fully kept
up. And now the great, wealthy british
Empire, with 81, QUO. 900 Of home population,
Is made to confess that 1t could not defend
its most cherished interests, md could not
oppose an actual invasion Of its commerce,
power, and position as nation with more
than 10000 electives" Why, the State Of
Illinois 'alono kept up loo, 900 men In tho fold
for more shan thres years Of bloody fighting.
The City OF Chicago alone would soud moro
than 40,oo0 men to the front under such
circumstances as the English magazine statea.
What does 1t mean9
It1nust mean that the British Hovornm ent
call no longer rely upon the patriotism Of It's
people. It must mean that the British Govern.
ment docs not dare to eonscript, and that the
british people will not volunteer. It seems
that once-powerfsl people, that az
teRaed its authority into oil quarters Of the
globe aud detendedlt ngainat every suspicion
OF throat aud every breath Of contempt, has
fallen into m lmbecils and obese condition
OF sasa and wealth, which from even tho
tnssnet ot sa!s.prsssrsAtion would fail 10
aFoa4s u Il ~ saaisaxion thAs rcascks dis-