THE FRENCH IN THE BALTIC

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 730, 22 September 1870, Page 4

THE FRENCH IN THE BALTIC

While the Prussians are adopting an aggressive policy, and have not only inj vaded French territory but are threatening to march on Paris, the danger being so imminent that that city for military purposes is declared to be in a state of siege, or under martial law — the French are concentrating a very large force in the Baltic Thus, besides the fleet already in those waters, the latest despatches show that an expedition comprising 350 vessels and 40,000 troops is about to set out for the Baltic ; and in all probability the base of operations will bo some place in the Danish Kingdom near to the Prussian border. A Danish alliance with Prance is already reported as_ soon to be consummated. Denmark has not forgotten the violent wrenching away of SchleswigHolstein by Prussia, and would of course like to profit by the misfortune of the latter so as to secure the provinces she has lost. But Denmark has a much closer alliance with Great Britain than she is likely to form with France, and the influence of the former will be felt in prt - venting Denmark from, accepting entangling alliances. Both Denmark [and

Prussia are allied to England by royal family ties, and it is not likely that one branch of the family will be found fighting the other if it can be avoided. The vast maritime expedition of the French to the Baltic is quite as significant as the marching of the Prussians into French territory. While the Prussiaus march out one way, the French enter another way and open a "fire in the rear." Not only do the French, according to the telegrams, design to bombard all the Prussian towns on the Baltic, but they design to land an army, which can hardly be less than 100,000 strong, on the Baltic side of Prussia. The war has hardly begun yet, and the reported engagements will soon dwindle to mere skirmishes by the side of the great battles which, from all appearances, are sure to be fought. Prussia has taken the initiative by carrying the war into France ; but this Baltic expedition, going up to the very back-door of Prussia, will be likely to furnish some stirring news at no distant day.