EXPECTED CONTINENTAL WAS

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1128, 26 June 1867, Page 7

EXPECTED CONTINENTAL WAS

The Globe says:—"It has been reported that the French Government is about to call out the reserves of the army ; but this is contradicted by the semi-oflicial journals. That military preparations of different kinds are being made is certain ; it is not, however, possible to obtain a detail of these, and what does come to light thereanent cannot well be published in France, from the fear journalists are under of being prosecuted for ' false news.' " According to the Paris correspondent of the Pall Call Gazette, " the opinion that war must come still holds its ground, and [a belief is becoming general that Count Bismark has been playing with France. There is a report that an attempt made by England to mediate at Berlin has failed. Count Bismark is represented as desirous of dragging on negotiations, in the hope of persuading the King to make some concession "which may serve as the basis for an arrangement, wliilst the military party is trying to force an immediate rupture ; and in military circles it is asserted that orders for the mobilsation of the throe corps d'armee nearest the JUhine have been sent under seal to the diiierent commanders, with the notice that thej r will be warned by telegraph ■when to open their despatches. A letter from Vienna says that no doubt is entertained in that city that an alliance between Prussia and Kussia exists. The Duke de Grammont has gone to Tienna with an autograph letter from Is apoleon 111. for the Emperor of Austria. It is said that [Rothschild, in revenge for the wrong done by Prussia to the Frankfort branch of his house, will make a large advance to the French Government in case of war. There is a belief that a decree for calling out the French reserve lias been signed by the Emperor, and that it will shortly appear in the Jlijintcar. Several regiments have received orders to return to France from Algeria, in consequence of the army in that colony exceeding its normal strength owing to the return of French troops from Mexico. The increase of the exoneration money for conscripts from 2lOof. to 3000f. is regarded by many as a sign that the army may soon have to take the field.'' The Pre-m of Vienna publishes the following statement respecting Austria : —" Austria's mission is to prevent any one great Power from acquiring excessive preponderance. "What consequently is more natural, just, or politic than the neutrality of Austria during a struggle which if it broke out, woull render the centre of Europe all powerful and master of the continent at the expense of the west —or the latter to the detriment of Prussia and Germany ? The question of Luxemburg is. first of all, one of right; second, one of equilibrium; and it is only in the third place that it can be noticed for its national importance. To reverse the order of these considerations —-to overthrow it for the benefit of the Prussifying military idea, is to acclimatise Ctesarism on the German soil. Austria cannot and ought not to commend such tendencies. As to the eventual attitude of Italy, the fact is confirmed that Baron Kicasoli fell "because he was too Prussian. The instinct of his self-preservation gives an essentially French bias to Victor Emmanuel, as nothing is clearer than that all the glory of the kingdom of Italy depends on the fate of the French empire."—European Times, April 26.