Untitled article | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · February 11, 1868

What Next in Europe?

The political barometer has risen a little these last few days. A few months ago it stood at “immediate war.” It has come down to “changeable,” with oscillating tendencies toward “peace.” Whether the future belligerents, that is to say, the whole of Europe, have begun to be afraid of each other, in view of the perfected armaments; whether the pressure of public opinion, which is especially desirous of peace, has overdone the warlike notions of Messieurs, the Governors; whether, as I am inclined to believe, the different powers, financially ruined by foolish and extravagant expenses, wish to restore public confidence by promises of peace, in order to negotiate their loans on better terms—whatever may be the cause, there is a very decided tendency in favor of peace.

ARMAMENTS.

Meanwhile the military preparations, the increase of the forces, the armaments, and, especially, the loans, followed each other in feverish succession. Russia and Italy, as if in concert, have just purchased a large number of needle guns from Prussia, and the latter has taken advantage of this opportunity to get rid of a great deal of material that is out of date, which, in French military parlance, is termed “nightingales.” With the money thus obtained, Prussia, in a very ungrateful manner, is making Chassepots—a weapon reported to be much superior to needle guns. France continues her naval and military preparations. The time of service is now nine years and a half, which will place 1,000,000 constantly under arms, and furnish a contingent of six or seven hundred thousand in the National Guard. All the forts and fortifications are to be provided with guns of long range, capable of carrying about four miles—six kilometres. Austria, while improving every opportunity to talk of peace, is exchanging her old arms for the Wondig guns, which are said to fire eighteen shots a minute. Spain is doing the same thing, and is devoting 2,000,000 francs to this work, which seems to have become the greatest necessity of Europe. And, last of all, the Pope has an army of nearly 17,000 men, which will soon be armed with American guns.

BEGGING LOANS.

To cover the necessary expenses of these stupendous armaments, some increase their imposts, others borrow, some beg, some pretend to undertake extensive public works and give their bonds,—in short, all try to get money the best way they can.

Italy levies a tax upon incomes, which is the commencement of bankruptcy. Its bankers say to the public: “We owe you a hundred francs interest on money you have lent; but we will not pay more than ninety.” And another Italian loan is also expected to cover the existing deficit, which is supposed to amount to a milliard. Spain has formed a national bank, with a capital of 100,000,000 francs, which seems to be a loan disguised by the name of business, but which in reality is intended to take from the pockets of whoever may be its creditor the hundred millions of which Spain has need. Turkey is negotiating a loan of £100,000 under the pretense of erecting public works at the mouth of the Danube. Doubtless the Pachas, the armaments and the seraglios will absorb a large portion of this loan intended for the Danube. But who of the French or English creditors will have permission to go and investigate whether the money is properly employed?

Portugal is making a loan of 137,000,000 francs. The country is not arising, for no one menaces it. There is neither famine nor pestilence within its borders. The reason is, that on account of maladministration the government has need of funds to cover its unwarranted expenditures.

Under a pretense of building a railroad in Hungary, Austria is borrowing—I do not remember how many millions—and, in order to make negotiations as easy as possible, glowing descriptions of the fertility and wealth of Hungary are met with everywhere. Yesterday one of the agents of the government asked me if I would write a series of articles on that country, its agriculture, mines, customs, &c., to which I only could reply that I was not a drummer for loans.

The Pope has literally gone a begging at every door in the Catholic world. The Catholic journals are everywhere urging the claims of the good cause. There are, on every side, Papalini, Peter’s Pence, offerings, collections, indulgences, and benedictions—all for money. This seems to be the sole object of the head of Christianity in 1867. The Sovereign Pontiff, the Apostle of Peace, the Demi-Dien, has also need of an army. If respect did not arrest my pen, I should not be able to find language to express a just indignation at this Antichristian monopoly. France is again obliged to resort to a loan, and for no other reason than the inordinate and inconsiderate expenses of the government. Meanwhile a million of earnings lie idle in the bank, and distrust of the future will tend to keep it there. For ten years France has loaned to different governments more than three milliard of francs, and, tired of this, money is hoarded in expectation of better times.

FAMINE AND CHARITY.

While the governments are negotiating loans and augmenting their armies, famine is devastating Europe from one end to the other. In some parts of Prussia the inhabitants are actually dying of cold and hunger. In some portions of Russia, hundreds are dying from the same cause. The same misery exists in England, and is augmented by the fear of the Fenians. There has also been considerable suffering in France, but public and private charity have done much to mitigate these evils.

ITALIAN DISUNITY.

The political horizon is still overcast. In Italy, the crater constantly belching out revolutions, the tendency to disunion is on the increase. The new Ministry under Menabrea, has been formed, but Rattazzi is preparing vigorously to oppose him, and has obtained the publication of official documents which prove that, to some extent, he, Rattazzi, was implicated in the recent revolutionary movements. The Italians are busily engaged in making red shirts, on which are marked the letters V. M., which signify—Vengeance, Mentana. Cardinal Andrea, whom Victor Emanuel and the revolution wished to make a sort of anti-Pope, has yielded entirely to the Pope, and asked forgiveness, but, it is reported that, discontented because he has not been reinstated in the emoluments of his bishopric, he intends to retract his retraction, return to Naples, join the opposition, and openly rebel against Rome.—Chicago Tribune.