The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-05-09
"Ths Disturber Of Europe.
Dublin Nation, April I'D

| Dublin Nation April l7)
1t is significant of the impression which
the domineering insolence of Bismarck is
producing even in the friendliest quarters
that the Pail Mall Gazette has come to
write of the German Chancellor as the die
turber of Europe. But a short time ago
| and the words of the blood and iron states
man were the oracles of the journal written
! by gentlemen for gentlemen" Every fresh
insolence directed by the brutal German
against inoffensive sisterhoods and venera-
BILE prelates was hailed as a fresh, iIlnstra-
tion of " culture and light" and Europe
was congratulated on the'possession of sort
of continental Cromwell who would soon
achieve the browning mercy of the Papacy q
anuihilation. A change has come over the
spirit of the Pail Nall Ga=ette's dream,
! and the dream of the entire English press
seems to have changed with it. Iu spite of
bigotry, in spite of the inherent slavishpess
which impels the Journalism of "Gaffer
Bull" to worship material force as the only
deity worthy of Briton's homage, the pub
lie opinion of England is beginning to rec.
ognize That there is something more imme-
dlately nepaciDg to the future of Europe,
and to the repose of England in particular,
than even the Jesuits or the Sisters of Mer-
cy. The menacing note to tho Belgian
government-for menaciDg it was, in spite
of the trimming gloss which the Premier
attempted to put upon it-has finally con-
WINGED the British mind that the blunder
of 1871 is likely to have consequences, and
that the shameful abandonment of "our
Frepch ally" will produce a sore crop of
mischiets to the British abettors of the an
nexation of Alsace- Lorraine.
There can be no doubt that the Prussan
Cabinet means war. Not step can be ia
ken in France which is not reported to
Berlin, and the rapid development of the
military forces of France, although still
hfIn fhQ law l.NfN h,,(
has filled the minds of German politicians
and strategists with the hate which is
born of dread and apprehension. BY the
year 1877 the active army of France will
number three quarters of million of train
ed soldiers, and the retrospective operation
of the law creating the Territorial Army as
1t Is called, or Landwehr. enrolls in the
available reserve every Frenchman who
has come of age for twenty years back.
German strategists remember that the |
large majority of this enormous force re-
ceived certain amount of training and |
acquired something of soldiership during
the terrible crises of 1870 II and though
Prince Bismarck, after the destruction of
the French regular army, could gibe at
ChapZy's and Bourbaki's '' men with mus
kets," these same 'tmen with muskets"
might easily play very different part
when acting in conjunction with a regular
army of $50 900. 1t does not by any m cans
|
or in 1879, but Germany, with the proven
bal terrors of guilty conscience, fears
that the day of t'the revenge" will not be
put off single hour longer than is necessa
~ and it is the unanimous opinion or
German strategsts that as France has to
be fought soon, the sooner the better for
Germany, in order to take the enemy as
lnpIepared as possible. The five mllisrds
nave not crippled the indomitable Gaul,
md Prussia is perpetually haunted with
he vision of another rOut like that Of Jena,
md another capitulation like that of
Berlin.
What makes Bismarckism especially uer-
'Ous and irritable is the "Ultramontane
At every fresh act of persecu-
ion Prussia has only found itself deeper
nd deeper in the mire. Unable to conceive
nything higher than brute strength, the
russian statesmen have put forth the
rute strength of their military govern
lent against the Church, and have found I
hat the Church has only developed new
esources at each display of prosecuting v
iolence! Most dangerous of all, tho agta
on created by the Falck Laws, after first
xciting the civilian population, is now
taking itself heard and felt in the barrack-
ard, and terrible fear is spreading among
le tyrants lest the soldiery should be dis
)vered not to have entirely abdicated
,nscience when they became the slaves of
An occurrence which has
e anxiety of the officials. The reserve
.ttalions of some Silesian regiments,
rgely composed of Catholics, had been
lied under arms for their periodical drill.
ut the rumor had spread among the men
at "war was going to be declared against
9 Pope, and that they were about to be
arched off to fight him." A fierce mutiny
oke out, and when the riDgleaders were
ICED, they were rescued by their COM q
des, nor was order restored until the r.
Pops were solemnly assured that they Il
re not going to be sent against the Pope.
this be the spirit in Silesis, what of
and the Rhineland9 The ques-
n is a grave one for the jailors of the
shops. war with France might restore
, broken unity of Germany, and war
tn France the German Government is 81
solved to have at the first pretext. France
viewer, is as cautious as she is determined, r
d Bismarck 'dlsturbs Europe almost in ful
in" nj
What would give" said Charles Lamb, ass
10 g.,