Year: 1870




The war news must still be regarded as more
suggestive than positive. There is no lack OF
interesting news items; but the great fact Of
war has still to be announced. While we wait
for al account of the first grand conflict all
subordinate items of intelligence, however inn
portant in themselves and however much they
bear upon the general question, will be treated
with more or less Indifference. The massng
of troops goes on. France concentrates her
strength on the Prussian frontier and hurries
her feet and well-laden transports to the Bal
tic. Prussia, according even to French jour
nals is fully prepared for any emergency.
She is so well guarded at all points that snr-
prise is not by those who are well qualified to
Judge, deemed possible Three hundred thou
sand men in the neighborhood of Treves, one
hundred thousand men in the Black Forest,
two hundred thousand men near Mayence. one
hundred thousand men in Schleswig, and
eighty thousand keeping watch and ward at
Berlin. Such is goodly array, and the dispo-
sition seems satisfactory.


The sentiment of outside parties is still more
or less doubtful. We have no further news
regarding the probable action of Denmark.
The presumption now is that, unless the
French make themselves masters of the Baltic
and coerce Denmark, If they cannot coax her,
the little kingdom will adhere to wise policy
of neutrality. 1t will be better for Denmark to
keep out Of the fight if she can at all. In the
great and, we trust, the better future, it is the
tat Of fba xvi1 caa
their lot with their Scandinavian brethren of
the North. Sweden, Norway and Denmark
united would make highly respectable
nationalty-a nationality sharply enough


defined and powerful enough to hold its own
with Germany, France, an Iberia and an
Italy. If Denmark allows herself to be dragged
into war she will seriously compromise her
position, no matter which of the two con-
testants come out of the conflict triumphant.
Meanwhile it is gratifying to know that in
spite of her grudge against Prussia she is
holding aloof from either party. We have no
further news from Russia. Russia begins to feel
that her territory is already sufficiently large
that her need is not land but great cities, not
acres so much as men to till them and make
them profitable. At the same time the Gear is
not superior to the sentiment of the people
over whom he rules; nor can it be forgotten
that the Russian nobility are inspired with
a burning desire to wipe out the disgrace of
Sebastopol. Russia, we feel well assured, will
not be rash but we are just as well satisfied that
she will not lose her opportunity. This war
may give her the opportunity, if not to fling
into the scale the sword of Brennus, at least to
march to Constantinople. The neutrality of
Austria is confidently counted upon. Spain
comes round more and more to France. No
good reason is assigned for such course;
but Olozaga, the Spanish Minister in Paris,
good reasons for so doing the presumption is
that Prim will yield. Italy is placed in a
most awkward position. Victor Emanuel, if
not the Italian people, has been laid under
heavy obligations to Napoleon. 1t is natural
that the King of Italy should be willing to lend
what assistance he can to his brother of France.
But it is just as natural that he should be will
ing to lend what assistance he can to his
brother of Prussia. If Napoleon gave
him the duchies and the kingdom of the Two
Sicilies, King William-or rather Bismarck
gave him Venice. 1t is notorious that the
Italian people are divided in sympathy in the
matter of the war. There are many who SYM
pathize with France but the party of action,
the only dangerous party in Italy, naturally
takes the side of Prussia, or rather the side
of Germany. But Napoleon offers the party
of action tempting bribe-the withdrawal of
the French troops from Rome, and purse of
sixty million lire besides Will they be able
to resist it? Of all the side questions the
Italian question is the most interesting. 1t
involves 80 many interests and touches so many
hearts in all nations, that while we can foresee
great perplexity we cannot see the Gnal ISSUE


Great Britain wakes more and more wrathful
over the secret treaty One of our latest
special dispatches informs us that she is not
satisfied with the explanations offered by
either Prussia or France, and that she is
about to ask Russia to join her in protecting
Belgium from invasion by either Power If
Russia should join Great Britain in protecto-
rate of Belgium we shall have the beginning
of coalition which may reshape Europe after
fashion satisfactory neither to Prussia nor to
France. Next in Importance to the actual
clash of arms on the Rhine will be the appear
ance of British men-of-war in the waters of
the Scheldt. The latest kilograms report that
Rome is to be fortified by the Pope. Austria
is becoming agitated about the Concordat and
the war. Italy is more irritable Spain is
still uneasy. The Catholic clergy of Ireland
proposed solemn demonstration in favor of
France to-day. 1t was to be made in Linn
erick. 'the city Of the violated treaty" The
English government has peremptorily forbid


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