The Evening Star MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1871.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2470, 16 January 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1871.

We ’believe it was Erasmus who called war “ tlie malady of princes ” ; but ■since Ids time it has not been confined to them. It has been proved that wars can be knocked up without the aid of princes, and that nations as well as rulers can be attacked by a war mania. In the year 18G8 it was computed that since the human race had a history, 6,080,000,000 of men have fallen in battle —that is, six times as many

human beings as now live on earth. How many more will have to be added to that inconceivable number before the close of 1871, Heaven alone knows. It is at all times a hardship to be dragged into a quarrel j but the hardest of hardships is to be involved in one in which there can be no personal nor even national interest. It is no use, however, now to close our eyes to the probability of it. In fact, it seems very unlikely that Britain can keep out of war. If she won’t strike Russia, Russia will strike her. The Prussians have broken down the bulwark, and the Czar seems to imagine that France’s weakness is his opportunity. A treaty entered into compulsorily it is evident will not bo kept honorably. In fact, nothing is plainer in the doings of nations one towards another, than that they are only kept on good terms by mutual fear. Hence it is that the news from Europe assumes new interest to all British Colonies and posses sions. It is no use now protesting against our not being placed in a neutral position. The opportunity has passed for that. We do not doubt the result of a war—for England s wealth must give eventual victory ; but it must be remembered that in the struggle we may not be left unmolested. We have no serious apprehensions on that head—but in war, robbery and spoliation ot innocents are not considered criminal j and when we consider the damage done by the Alabama, and that the American carrying trade was nearly ruined by the predatory marauding of that and another vessel, I notwithstanding the naval superiority j of the Northern States, wo aust not close our e\ cs to the possible peril of our situation. It must be plain that in this view the progress of the FrancoPrussian Avar fades into a secondary interest. The accounts via San Francisco do not present us Avith any startling relative changes in the position of the belligerents. They suggest, however, that Prussia had done as much as could be done Avith its then means, and that Bismarck seems to have gone beyond his intention, and seeks hoav to avoid the advent of republicanism. The re-installation of Napoleon Emperor is his next move, in which case, should the people submit to it, France Avould oppose England in a Russian contest. We hardly think the nation Avill rlloav that, hoAvevcr. Truly the complications thicken ! We do not at present apprehend any serious difficulty will arise Avith the United States. More awkward questions have been got over than the Alabama claims and the navigation of the St. LaAvrence within the last thirty years, and these Avill not be alloAved to disturb the harmony betAveen nations Avhose prosperity depends so much upon each other. So far as avc are concerned, we are helpless to avoid accepting our place in the situation, and therefore what Ave hoav have to do is to meet the danger firmly, and prepare for it like men. It is not likely it would be very serious if avc had proper appliances,; but not having forts and heavy artillery to repel attack, Ave must devise moans to do Avithout them, and the sooner we are prepared the better. Our notiou is, that training of the whole population capable of bearingarms should not be deferred. We see no reason Avhy defence - .should be left to the few Volunteers avc have. We do not believe in leaving arrangements to chance. It is quite possible to knoAV what we may have to meet; and no matter Avhat the danger, it should be prepared for. If it never presents itself, all the better : if it does, the more there are to repel attack, the more certain would be the victory, provided ■ each man kneAv the work he had to do and lioav to do it. This is the secret of Prussian success, and this must be our plan if we intend to succeed. Without this preparation an attack Avould find ’ us in a state of most unmanly disorder. There would be plenty ready to assist —but, like the peasants in France, : they Avould only create confusion, hamper the movements of our Volunteers, ■ and through qpskilled effort bring destruction upon themselves. There are feAv amongst us so old as upt to take some part in the common cause, and avo hope few sq spiritless as to hang back when their help could ,be .useful. Although avc are in the very throes of a political struggle, avc must not neglect our safety. It avo do not , attend to that, our ucav representatives may have to declaim over burnt or captured vessels in our harbors, and the smoking ruins of our cities. While therefore Ave attend to the election of lit and proper men as one duty, let us not neglect the other. It is a question ' for the Mayor and citizens. We are awgre that it is a Colonial'duty to prepare for .defence against a common • enemy, but .it will not do -to wait for Parliament meeting. It is pot so much a matter for discussiop as for notion, the advisability of which is too plain to need argument.