The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1877-06-16
FRANCE AND GERMANY.
The Coming Death GrGppfe Betlceet fhe
TesGt0H and the GGUt.

The Coming Death GFGppfe Bet1Tees the
TeattOn and the Gut.
Europe is rapidly assuming the con,
dition of a vast military camp, or rather
is becoming a series of national camps.
Germany has devoted all her energies,
SINCE the close of the war with France.
to perfect her military organization. A
large part of the French indemnity was
expended in military roads, in obtai|ing
heavy ordnance, strengthening fortif-
cations, in the purchase of arms, and in
building and equipping a navy. The
empire has been made a vast military
school, so that when there is aaneed for
troops every mar will be a trained and
armed soldier. In France the prepare
tion for war has been even more extern
sive. The ineficiency and insufficiency
of the military established under the
empire is n of the painful remembran-
cesof France. Hardly had the Germans
left the country before the military edf-
eaton OF the nation was begun. France
is no longer to have a regular army and
a military the nation is to be made an
army, the old men and the women are
to do the work of the field and shop,
while the young and a~ble-bodied men
are being instructed and educated as
soldiers. When France goes to war
again, it will be with the whole nation
in arms; and the whole nation fighting
as trained soldiers only a fight. The
French have in the same manner been
expanding heavily for Notifications.
Between Paris and the northern frontier
there are various lines of Notifications,
and the defence of the country against
invasion is immensely strengthened. For
prudential reasons the Notifications of
the frontier has been left to q later date.
But the work of preparation goes on in
c~essantly. By night and day the work
is going on all over France. The pur-
chase and manufacture of arms has been
enormous, and France will, when the
time comes, be prepared to place a rife
OF the best finish in the hands of every
man in France. The expenditure by
| France has been made from taxation oil
the most exacting character. The ma.
| tional tax is now $547, 900 600 a year
this tax is needed to pay the interest on
the public debt. and to support and i'm
prove the military defenses. The annual
outlay for the army and Notifications is
stated to be $3.50, 100000, and for the
navy $50, 100000.
It is very clear that in Germany a war
with France is not only expected, but is
considered certain. There can be no
| question that the national pride OF
France is aroused, and that or the ques-
| ton of a war with Germany there will
be no division of sentiment. The PEG.
pie are submitting to the utmost priva-
tions and sacrifices. The taxes are
possibly equal in the a 8 of a large
part of the people to an average Of one
meal a day for each family, and this il
endured that France may be able te
avenge the injury and loss of the past
When that war comes, it will be n o.
the NEST detereined character. No
only the recovery of Alsace and Lor
ralne. but the further rectifcation o
the national boundaries, will be the enc
sought b. France. Whenever German.
shall be divided, that will be an opportu
nity for France, but, whether German!
be divided or not, the war will come b.
the act of France, when in the iudgmen
of her rulers the country shall be full.
prepared for such an event. Such a wa
between these two nations, after thi
long and formidable preparation, will b
such as the world has not seen in moderl
times. On its 1ssne will rest the exist
ence of France. Defeat will leave he
so overwhelmed with debt as to rende
the paymeat of that debt impossible
She will sink to the lowest rank anon
nations. But, If successful, where wi
her success lead? In addition to the n
coyery of AIsace and Lorraine, she ma
desire To extend her borders. Her SUI
cess, to0,4I destroy the prestige of th
German empire. The end Of such Wa
will lead, probably, to a new map
Europe, in whicEBelgium, Holland, an
. Denmark may disappear as indepeDdel
nations.-Chicdg0 Tribune.