The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1906-09-20
TIME composition of the small
forces in the war about
Sohlocwio Holctaip I'm 1874 af-

forces In the war aDOuC
Schleswig- Holstein in 1864 af-
forded the Prussian General
Staff but scant opportunity to show
its strength, and it was not until two
years later, in 1866, that the world as
certained, that henceforth new fac
tor in warfare would have to be
reckoned with. Austria and the
German States had declared war
against Prussia, country which did
not have even half the population of
Austria alone. In the incredible short
time of six weeks Prussis succeeded
in vanquishing her formidable antago-
nists. In the greatest battle ever
fought, at Koeniggratz (Sadowa), the
modern general staff achieved its first
signal triumph. 1t is, however, not
this war, but the Franco-Prussian of
1901, which we have selected for our
demonstration.
Before commencing, it will be nee
essary to recall to our mind the politi-
was then the domineering power in
Europe, and her emperor, Napoleon
I'LL, was the self-constituted arbiter of
general political affairs. The strength
developed by Prussia in 1866, the prom
inence she gained thereby, and the
pronounced declaration of Bismarck,
that never again would France be al
lowed an influence in German affairs,
was serious blow to Frances vain
glorious supremacy. The thoroughly
nettled vanity of the French people left
Napoleon but one alternative: tC
check the constantly growing prepon'
derance of Prussia; or to forfeit biz
crown. Under these circumstances
the outbreak of war between the two
countries was merely a question Of
time. In 1868 war about Luxemburl
was avoided only by the conciliator!
manner in which King William me-
Napoleon's peremptory ultimstum
In 1870 the Spanish Cortes offered TIT
crown of Spain to Prince Leopold O.
Hohenzollern. Not the same line a
the Hohenzollern of Prussis.) Nspo
leon at once notified Prussia that b,
would consider the acceptance of tn
crown by Leopold as q casus bell,
Thereupon King William actually in
duced Leopold to renounce his can
didscy, and all cause for war wa
apparently removed. But the Frencl
ministers, the French army, press an
people were clamoring for war. At
cabinet council Premier Rouher ir
sisted, that now or never was the tim
to strike, and Count Pslikso, the mil
lister of war, assured Napoleon tha
the army was in such perfect cond
tion, that he had no doubt of Berli
being taken in less than four week
Even the Empress Eugene used all he
great influence in favor of war. Tt
result of all this is we'll known. Nap'
leon sent Duke Benedetti to EN-
where King William was the
taking the waters, with the deman
that the king should solemnly declal
that NEVER AT ANY FUTURE TIM
ANY prince of Hohenzollern should b
come a candidate for the throne
Spain. Of course, this was dow
right insult, and intended as sue
The king did have neither the pow
nor the right to dictate to tho
Hohenzollerns, of whose house he VI
not the head. Arrived at Ems, Ben
detti sccidently met the king on Il
promenade, at once accosted hi
and delivered Napoleon's deman
The king did not deign to rep
Turning his back on Benedetti,
walked away, leaving the Frenchm
standing, hat in hand, on the sic
walk. The very next day Nspole