The Hickman courier., 1877-05-25

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Europe is rapidly assuming the con-
ditionsof avast 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 obtaiSing
heavy ordnance, strengthening fortif-
cations, in the purchase of arms, and in
building and equipping a navy. The
empire has been made vast military
school, so that when there is need for
troops every man win be a trained and
armed soldier In France the prepara-
tion for war has been even more exten-
sive. The ineficiency and insuficiency
of the military established under the
empire is one of the painful remembran-
ces of France. Hardly had the Germans
left the country before the military edfi-
eaton of the nation was begun. France
Is no longer to have regular army and
a military tho 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 able-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 can fight. The
French have in the same manner been
expending heavily for fortifcations.
Between Paris and the northern frontier
there are various lines of fortifcations,
and the defence of the country against
invasion is immensely strengthened. For
prudential reasons the Notifications of
the frontier has been left t6 later date
But the work of preparation goes on in
cessantly. 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 rife
of the best finish in the hands OF every
man in France. The expenditure by
France has been made Irom taxation of
the most exacting character. The ma
tional tax is now S547 600 600 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 fortifications is
stated to be $3.50, 100000, and for the
navy s50, 900, 900.
1t is very clear that in Germany 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 on the ques-
tion of a war with Germany there will
be no division of sentiment. The peo-
pie are submitting to the utmost priva-
tions and sacrifices. The taxes are
possibly equal in the case of large
part of the people to an average of one
meal day for each family, and this is
endured that France may be able to
avenge the injury and loss of the past.
When that war comes, it viii be one of
the NEST determined character. Not
only the recovery of Alsace and Lor-
raIne, but the further rectiication of
the national boundaries, will be the end
sought by France. Whenever Germany
shall be divided, that viii be an opportu-
nifty for France, but, whether Germany
be divided or not, the war will come by
the act of France, when in the Judgment
of her rulers the country shall be fully
prepared for such an event Such a war
between these two nations, after this
long and formidable preparation, viii be
such as the world has not seen In modern
times On its issne will rest the exist
ence of France. Defeat will leave her
so overwhelmed with debt as to render
the payment of that debt impossible.
She viii sink to the lowest rank among
nations. But, if successful, where will
her success lead2 In addition to the re-
covery of Alsace and Lorraine, she may
desire to extend her borders. Her sue
cess, too, will destroy the prestige of the
German empire. The end of such war
will lead, probably, to a new map Of
Europe, in which Belgium, Holland, and
Denmark may disappear as Independent
nations Chicago Tribune