Year: 1867

Napoleon and Bismarck.


Our cable announcements for the last few
days in regard TO certain deeply significant
movements on the part Of Prussia and France
have naturally created not little excitement
On the one hand we learn that by means OF
treaties concluded with Bavaria, wurtemberg
and the grand duchy Of Baden, Prussia has
put herself In position in which she will be
able to command the entire military strength
Of the South German Confederation. On the
other hand we are told that the Emperor
Napoleon favors confederation of the govern
ments Of France, Holland, Belgium and
Switzerland against Prussia, and that the
recent movements of Prussia have engendered
in France considerable bitterness Of feelings
bitterness OF feeling which has doubtless been
increased by knowledge of the fact that King
Leopold Of Belgium refuses TO enter into the
Emperor's proposed confederation.


Prussia and France are assuming more and
more the attitude of antagonists. We do not
say that there is danger OF an immediate col
lision. But both on the one side and on the
other there is a visible struggle for supremacy
and an unconcealed anxiety to be ready for
any emergency. 1t is curious to see how, in
this as in other matters Bismarck has success
fully reduced to practice the teachings OF
Napoleon. Napoleon was the first to proclaim
the doctrine Of united nationalities; Bismarck
was the first to turn that doctrine to practical
account. Napoleon was the first to announce the
theory that henceforward in Europe the safety Of
the smaller Powers was TO consist In entering
into alliances offensive and defensive with their
larger and more powerful neighbora Here
again, as in the former case, Bismarck has
been the first TO exhibit the doctrine in practi-
cal shape. In this last affair, indeed. the
master has been compelled to initiate the
pupil Bismarck forms military alliances with
the smaller adjoining States. Napoleon sees
that his interest lies in adopting similar
policy. In the one case, however, the expert
ment has been successful whether it will be
equally so in the other our most recent
intelligence makes it appear doubtful. The
game which Napoleon and Bismarck have
been playing, and which may be said to have
commenced at the celebrated Biarritx meeting
in the spring of hast year, has been protracted
and keen. The moves which they have no
speotiyely made on, the political chsss-.
board have commanded the attention of
the world. That skill and caution and
daring have been manifested ON both
sides all must admit II Napoleon has
more than once been checkmated Il is to be
borne in mind, first Of all, that while his oppo-
nent has been yielding up his entire energies
to the attainment Of one end, he has, unfor-
tunately, been engaged throughout In moro
games than one, and secondly. that this game
has not yet bee a concluded. The result, in
fact Is as yet doubtful.


1t is by no means improbable that before the
game is played out it may assume q much
more serious character. The difficulties un-
solved by diplomacy may have to be referred TO
the arbitrament of the sword. In the event of
Prussia and France coming into open collision,
80 numerous are the contingencies on which
the result would be dependent, that he would
be bold man who should venture to predict
beforehand to which side victory would lean.
Prussia is undoubtedly powerful military
nation. The number, the rapidity, the
brilliancy OF her successes in her recent
encounter with Austria, proved that to the
greatest of modern Powers she would be q
dangerous antagonist But Prussia since then
has added many millions to her population,
has enlarged her territory and has proportion
atcly increased her forces. Not only SO. By
the alliances which she has formed with the
members of the Southern Confederation she
has acquired the entire military control of the
whole OF Germany, with the exception Of those
provinces which still remain attached TO the
house Of Austria. Nor is this all. In the altered
and rapidly altering condition Of the Austrian
empire it requires, we believe, but the occasion
10 reveal the fact that the German popula-
ton there are as enthusiastically devoted
to the interests Of their common nation
ality as are the Germans Of the North
and South. Such is the position Of Prus-
sia at the present moment Formidable as
an anita gonist before, the presumption is that
she would be found greatly more formidable
now. Powerful, however, as Prussia undoubt-
edly is, il is not To be denied that in war with
France she would labor under many and
serious disadvantages. Not to speak Of popu-
lation, Of wealth, Of unequalled military re-
sources and Of great military renown, France
has the unspeakable advantage Of being
united and Of moving with the accuracy
Of . machine under the guidance and
control Of . powerful central will. Prussia,
on the other hand, acting in conjunction with
her German allies, would labor under all
the disadvantages which are inseparable from
State in process Of consolidation from sup
posed diversity Of interests and from number
Of separate and independent heads. II is
question which the result alone could satisfac-
torily answer, whether the intense patriotism
ofthe German people would secure unity Of
heart and aim in spite Of these distracting in
fuences. The game as we have said, is not