THE WAR IN EUROPE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 727, 21 September 1870, Page 2

THE WAR IN EUROPE.

"^PUBLIC FEELING IN GERMANY. {jThe Berlin correspondent of the Times writes as follows on July 17 : — From yesterday's west country papers we see that all the way from Ems to Berlin the King's journey was a perfectly triumphal procession. Everywhere the stations were decorated with flowers and garlands of oak ; the latter being regarded as the national tree, symbolical of German strength and solidity.--. Everywhere townspeople and villagers were assembled in unusual numbers io greet the King, and assure him of their loyal sympathy and regard on this solemn occasion. In many places addresses were presented to His Majesty, and in some, where the train stopped long enough to admit of it, gracious replies were elicited. - }. At Cassel the King told the Town Council, who had come to place the lives and property of their fellowtownsmen at his disposal, that he was happy to meet with so much - patriotism in the capital of a new province. He said :.— " I am going to Berlin to take the necessary steps to defend our honour and independence. We shall do our duty, and, with the Almighty's assistance, succeed.' As long aa I can . count upon the: fidelity of . my/ people and tbe devotion of my troops I can face the future with confidence.".^: :■•..*? A similar scene was witnessed at Gottingen, where the Professors, the students, and thousands of this formerly Hanoverian University lined the platform and welcomed the Royal train with hearty* acclamations. In reply to an address of the authorities the King here expressed himself in the following terms : — " Thank you, Gentlemen, for your sympathy and cordial assurances. You are right in saying that French insolence has attained to -an extraordinary height. Things have, indeed, reached a pitch which renders a decision necessary. These are serious times, but, as we cannot brook the treatment to which we have been subjected, we have no alternative but to vindicate our freedom and independence." Reports of a like nature reach us from Ems, where the Nassauers vied with the inhabitants of the old provinces in testifying their loyal sentiments ; from Marburg and Giessen, where the Hessians, annexed and unannexed, endeavoured to show that whoever their Sovereign, and whatever the State they belong to, their German patriotism remains the same ; from Borsum, where the Brunswickers, arriving by extra trains, gave the King a glorious welcome ; from Miinden in Hanover, from Burg in Saxony, from Potsdam and several other cities and villages on the line of route on to Brandenburg, the ancient capital of the province in which Berlin is situate. To augment the satisfaction with which this intelligence is read in the papers, we learn that the Hamburg merchants, assembled on 'Change, have voted an address, accompanied with unanimous shouts of ".7a! Jai Jal" Martial ardour must run high in the commercial emporium on the North Sea for Bueh an outbreak to have occurred. At Leipsio Dr Biederman, the editor of an Unity paper, was serenaded, and another gentleman of the Press, of opposite tendencies, treated with attention of a very different description. At Munich all the leading journals admire the dignifie 1 composure of tbe North, and preach a common

crusade against a race whbnv in true Southern Btyle, they regale with, epithets far more forcible than polite, such as assassins, cut-throats, and the like. Stuttgart, the centre of the Anti-Unity Party during the last four years, has by the language of nearly all its organs openly espoused the national canse. In Baden, where instantaneous invasion is apprehended, the Press is quiet. To make up for this silence military preparations in that principality are carried on even more vigorously than in the rest of the South. Dresden is as excited as any Prussian town. Such being the general aspect of the country in these last moments preceding the storm, it is only natural that tbe capital should not be frigid when the provinces are On fire. The tone pervading all classes in this ordinarily anything but enthusiastic city is truly sublime. I have already spoken of tbe reception given to his Majesty on his return. Yesterday the Town- Council adopted a warm address, and granted 150,000 thalers, to be expended in the purchase of horses, over and above the war taxes. Three days, before they were called in, the men belonging to the reserve and the Landwehr were clamouring for enrolment at the doors of the army offices. Young men who have not yet attained the regulation age, and men who, having already served their- time, might be exempt , if they chose, are coming forward by thousands to share the honours of this the last great war the country is ever expected to have. Servants are running away, and tradespeople cannot trust their messengers to come back when sent but on errands. Hourly trains are conveying their military passengers to the frontier, accompanied by the blessings and the tears of the relatives and friends they leave behind. The reserve and Landwehr being called in from all classes of society alike, the ordinary business of this industrial city is completely paralyzed by theße numerous withdrawals. But one trade flourishes at tbis moment, and you need only look at the people in the streets to see which it is. A wonderful change of costume has been made overnight. The uniform has superseded the black garb of the judge, the merchant's overcoat, and tbe mason's apron. All are engaged in the same sacred task, and the variety of professions is merged in the one engrossing business of the hour. If all families in the country are thus equally afflicted by the catastrophe, it is a comfort to think that an army composed of such elements has a fairer prospect of victory than the professional soldiers of France. Let parents complain that their sons have been filled wltb all the varied lore of a German University merely to face the " miraculous chassepot," they are nevertheless proud of being able to contribute all that is nearest and dearest to them towards the defence of the country. ' Let sisters mourn and brides lament, there are none among them who would prefer to see their beloved ones holding back when so infamous an attack is to be warded off. The more their hearts revolt from the horrors of war, the more do tbey acknowledge the necessity of crushing a neighbour capable of this. With all their domestic sorrows weighing them down, the ladies are yet not idle in this decisive emergency. Already two societies have been formed by them to provide the army with refreshments not included in the ordinary mess, and to assist in the, nursing and tending of the wounded; Subscriptions are pouring in, and if it must be a melancholy sight for. tbe combatants to-day, in tbe pride of youth and health, to see the hospitals prepared for the reception of, alas 1 but too many of them, the anxious solicitude evinced on their behalf yet gives them an inspiriting foretaste of the enduring gratitude Of Fatherland. If Austria ever had any design to join : France in tbe impending campaign, sbe will find it very difficult to do so now that Southern Germany has unanimously declared in ; favour of the North. In drawing the sword : her only object could be to secure some sort . of ascendancy over the South ; but if she has first to fight the South, and that in alliance with France, whose very name has become a by-word in Germany, before she can attain this result, no victory can be decisive enough for her to derive any permanent benefit from it. By common : consent the war has been declared a national one, and the enemy an enemy of Germany and civilisation alike. What could it avail Austria in such a campaign to fight on the wrong side? By her eagerness to bring on war, France has in all probability deprived herself of every chance of Austrian support. The hotel of tbe French Embassy here is protected day. and night by the police. All buoys and other sea signals are being .removed on the German shores. As the coasts : are flat, and the water shallow, the danger of a hostile landing is considerably diminished by this precaution.