THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 332, 6 July 1875, Page 3

THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE.

A London contemporary says:—“The peculiar sentiments, compounded more of respect and fear than of affection, which usually keeps the Vienna press from criticising the policy of Berlin has been violently broken with by the Tagespresse. In a recent leading article it shows, beyond dispute, that Austrian journalism is not wholly tongue-tied on the great question of the time. The immediate occasion of this outspokenness is not the recent note to Belgium, but the allegation that France is arming for early hostilities, and the writer has little difficulty in proving his general thesis that the mere creation of a large army is not of itself the menace to the peace of Europe which is pretended. The conduct of Ger many in this matter, he continues, is of a piece with the previous policy of Prince Bismarck in the Spanish question, which was plainly directed to provoke a conflict with France. 1 In such a situation as it is thus placed in, who could reproach the French people if it does not shrink from any sacrifice necessary for the reorganisation of its military power? Yet the peace of Europe will not be troubled for a long time to come. The order of the day is that Europe has made up her mind that neither the French nor the Prussians shall for their criminal amusement disturb the peace ofj the Conti-

nent, as Napoleon 111. did in his day, and, later, hri worthy rival, Prince Pis march. The epoch for localised war is passed. The peace of Europe, therefore, will not be disturbed on any side ; or, if a single Power presume to break it, . . . the next war we shall see will be one. of Europe banded in coalition against that Power, and we shall gaze on a spectacle like Leipsic or Waterloo. That is the exact meaning of the alliance of the three Emperors, completed, or corrected if you will, at the late interview of Venice.’ This is plain speaking indeed; and whilst many persona will thank the Viennese journalist for thus reminding Berlin readers of the danger of imitating the foreign policy of the Second Empire, a great many more will be struck with this echo of their own thought that that of Prince Bismarck finds its closer counterpart ii the pretensions of the First Napoleon to dictate to the world. The writer’s boldness has not been passed over unnoticed in the northern capital. The latest telegram from Berlin tells us that the Post of that city has been writing in menacing tones of “ the representatives of the Ancien Regime on the Danube, who would like to destroy the German Empire and adding that “if these conspirators continue their oferations against this Government, the Government will again warn the public against the incorrigible disturbers of European peace”—a declaration which makes it clear enough who inspired the Post recently to speak on Belgian and French affairs.