Year: 1869

Our correspondence and our kilograms from
Europe for some time past have been singu-
larly suggestive and, in spite Of peace desires,
rather bellicose than otherwise. We have had
intimations of the most contradictory kind.
One day we are told of army reductions;
another day we are told of army mobilization.
We are again informed that officers and men
of the French army on leave of absence are
suddenly summoned to join their respective
regiments. We have not yet had any high
official announcement that war was imminent,
but studious silence is oftentimes as suggestive
as unguarded speech We do not exaggerate
when we say that since the outbreak of the
German war in 1866 there has been nothing in
Europe similar to the present condition OF
things. There is a cautious and determined
measuring of strength. All the European ma
tions are armed to the teeth. Every one OF
them believes that the time for action is close
at hand, but no one Is certain where or in
what connection it may be necessary to un-
sheathe the sword We describe the situation
when we say that Europe, burdened with in
tolerable armaments is sick Of peace, which is
war without the excitement which naturally
belongs to it-war without the consequent
honor and glory.


The Emperor of the French presents in his
single self the key to the European situation.
All that he now is and all that he has been
since 1851 he owes to success. OF all success
full men for the last quarter Of a century he
has been unquestionably, until very recently,
the most successful Fortune has favored him.
The fates have all been on his side. The tide
so often written about, which occurs in the
affairs of men, seems to have arrived in the
affairs of Louis Napoleon. His schemes and
plans are no longer necessarily successful.
They sometimes fail. Some of the failures
have been disagreeable to him and hurtful to
his prestige. For years not France alone,
but Europe and the world believed him infal-
lible. He was the great temporal Pope. His
sword swayed destiny. 1t is 80 no longer.
He can make mistakes, and the mistakes are
so palpable that France and even the outside
world can see them. A reputation built upon
success, deriving all its worth from supposed
infallibility, cannot suVive repeated failure.
Such is the condition of Louis Napoleon and
such is the situation in Europe.


France is no longer the controlling Power
nor is Louis Napoleon any longer the arbiter.
The power has passed away from the country,
and it is now in other hands. Bismarck, not
Napoleon, commands the situation. Proof of
this is everywhere We see it at the present
moment, particularly in Spain. The arrange
ment about to be come to in regard to the
Spanish throne is one which, to the French
Emperor, must be extremely distasteful. Il
is an arrangement, however, which he cannot
resist. As in days gone by the money of
England, this time fairly and justly used, has
been too much for French wit, and more
powerful than Corsican genius. Prussia and
England together have been too many for Ma
poleon and his Ministers. Spain makes an
election which snubs Napoleonic as well as
French pretension. Italy, tired of the Pope,
angry about the approaching Ecumenical
Council and sick of the temporal power, re-
joices in the hope Of freedom. If Bismarck
would but say the word it would be the
easiest thing in the world to unite Italy and
Spain against France. With the aid of Eng
lish gold, which is already working in the
Peninsula, it would be all the easier. France
is thus losing her position. The French
people are grieved; Napoleon, his mind filled
with thoughts about his successor, bites his
lip with rage. But France has a fine army,
fully equipped, well officered and ready for
action. One vigorous campaign might give
France her ancient position aud make Napo-
leon greater and more powerful than ever
Why should not the army be let loose? This
is the European question of the hour. When
France is contented the world is at rest. But
France is not contented. The trouble is all
here.