The New York herald., 1876-01-02
How New Years Day Came
to Paris.
GLOOMY OUTLOOK IN EUROPE
The Receptions by Marshal
MacMahOn.
GAY AND RICH
and operate Notes
New Plays.
HERALD BUREAU,
No. 6l AVENUE DE L'OPKRA,
PARIS. Jan. /, 1876.

eningly, and many of the wisest observers
say that war is imminent and unavoidable
that, indeed, spring Will not pass without
seeing Europe converted into vast camp
and the huge armies the great Powers have
been nursing turned to bloody account. OF
course, even among the wise, there are num-
bers who hope for peace in spite of the I'M
favorable omens.
THE STATE OF THINGS
Under the apparent understanding be-
tween the three empires Russia, Germany
and Austria there turks a spirit of mutual
distrust and suspicion, which may at any
time result in such disunion that the ques-
tons which are now patched up or settled be-
tween Bismarck, Gortschakoff and Andrassy
may fall to the arbitrament of the sword.
Russia and Austria differ seriously already.
The dual government of the Austro-Hun-
garian Empire paralyzes its action and
weakens its influence so much that Russia
has the best of her so far.
GERMANY's ATTITUDE.
In the German Empire one fact is note
worthy and suggestive. The government
has given over its persecution of the Cath
olics and is quietly conciliating the clergy.
This does not mean simply that Bismarck's
policy is q failure, but that there is neces-
sity for uniting the Empire in such a way
that foes from without shall not find allies
within it. It also points in another direc-
tom namely, TO
1t is certain that mysterious negotiations
between Germany and Belgium are in prog
ress. They are supposed to indicate prepara-
tions for the absorption of the Belgian King
dom in the German Empire What Eng
land would cay is anxiously can
vassed here, but it is not believed
that if the King of the Belgians
assented to the change England would fight
She is, of course, more strongly bound to
Belgium than to Denmark but it is thought
her inaction during the dismemberment Of
the latter would be the type of her treatment
of similar attempt upon Belgium
SWITZERLAND.
over the little Alpine Republic the Ger
man shadow also falls. The Swiss govern
ment is very uneasy, for reports have been
circulated at Berne and Geneva that several
Prussian officers have been detected taking
military notes along the frontier.
THE SICK MAN
In Turkey the Porte is making great pro-
frmans do not mean solid results, and the
rebel rayahs Of Herzegovina are still scepn-
cal enough to hold out
The Khedive, feeling highly delighted at
his sale of his Suez Canal shares, is now
\ looking about to see what he can sell next.
GREECE
The classic land of Greece is not happy.
She is at present busy impeaching her Min
listers for forgery
SPAIN AND CUBA
Liberal opinion in Europe is decidedly
opposed to the continuance Of SPANS rule
in Cuba, and is in favor Of that islands
annexation to America, the common i'm
preston here being that America wants 1t.
Such, in brief, is the political situation
here. 1t is not pleasant one
FRENCH STATE cEEEMoNIALs.
The New Years ceremonies here were be-
Gun bv the Marshal President MacNahon.
who went forth in almost imperial state, his
carriage surrounded by dazzling cavalcade
Of cuirassiers and his outrders, in gorgeous
lveries. TO visit the Due d'Audifret- Pasquier,
as President Of the defunct Assembly. The
latter had insisted that the first ciyility
should come from the Marshal. The visit
was Immediately returned, and MacMahon,
surrounded by cardinals, Ministers and gen.
erals, received such Of the Deputies as had re-
NAMED after the dissolution. This took place
AT Versailles, and at its conclusion the Mar
shall returned to Paris, where he received the
diplomatic corps at the Elys6e, with the same
ceremonial as was observed when Louis
Napoleon was President Of the Republic.
40 SPEECHES.
Under the Empire the New Years recep-
ton at the Tuileries, with the usual enig-
matte speech from the throne was anxiously