THE EXPECTED WAR.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 50, 11 April 1874, Page 9

THE EXPECTED WAR.

Writiwo from Paris under date, Jan. 16th, the correspondent of the Bombay 'Catholic Examiner,' says: — "At this minute we are under the most serious anxiety. War threatens us, and everything leads me to believe that within three or four months war will break out, we are not ready and everything leads us to fear a more terrible defeat than that inflicted on us three years ago. The war will come upon us from Italy and Germany. During last summer Victor Emmanuel had an interview with the Emperor William and daring that iaterriew the plan' of attack was concerted. Yesterday I gathered all about this through the letter of one holding a high place in the State of dignitary of the Church : — 'Do what you will, we shall have war with Italy in spring.' These words were written in the name of the Government." I have nothing new to tell you of the war preparations made by Italy during the past two years. Doubtless you have been informed about the armaments, the defence and the reorganisation of the army on the r Prussian system ; all this meant nothing but war. For some time past, the Italian regiments have been on a war-fjoting and have their campaign equipage. Italy, despite the penury of its defences, seems, to be quite ready to take the field aided by Prussia. France is not. ceady. for war, though preparations have been made. Thus the stronghold^of Dsuphiny and Savoy have just been put in repair ; the Commandant of- the Grenoble division has made the inspection of all the forts on the south-east, and upon his report, the Commandant of Toulouse has received orders to forward towards the frontier all the cannons he cau spare. These details I give you because lam quite sure of them. They are busy making cannons at all the State foundries ; but notwithstanding all possible preparations, we shall be sadly deficient in war materials, if Italy's threats are put into execution in the coming spring. According to the plan concerted between Berlin and Rome, Prussia being unwilling to incur the odium of a new war against us without pretext, will send Italy down on France through Provence and will be ready herself to lend aid as tke ally of Italy. Despite all the fancies of patriotism, if this olau comes to be realised we shall be quite powerless in resisting this double invasion.