Increase of European Armies.
We have repeatedly commented, in these columns, on the increase of the total number of soldiers in the armies of Europe. To the fact of increase there is not a single exception; even England has since 1859 nearly doubled her forces. The Berlin correspondent of the London Times has prepared a table of the present armaments of the European powers as compared with those of 1859, a period of fifteen years. The total army of Austria has advanced from 634,000 to 856,980; of Russia, from 1,134,200 to 1,401,510; of Italy, from 317,650 to 605,200; of Germany, from 836,000 to 1,261,160; of France, from 640,500 to 977,600; of England, from 245,800 to 478,820. We will not go over the list for the minor States, but it demonstrates that all Europe moves in the same direction. The crown of its civilization is war. With such facts before us, we cannot hope for progress toward a more peaceful era. The highest proportion of soldiers to each million of inhabitants is reached by Germany, 36,815; next comes Denmark with 30,392; next France, with 29,059; and, far behind, England with 16,088. These are the numbers of soldiers enrolled, drilled, and available for service; they are divided into those liable to duty in offensive war, and those subject to service at home. But the magnitude of the preparations for offensive war is seen from the fact that this part of the German army reaches the total of 710,130 men, of the Russian 665,810, Italian 322,000, and the French, 525,000. Von Moltke said last winter that what Germany had won in six months she must keep by watchfulness and “the hand on the sword” for fifty years. This means liability to hostilities at any moment. This is an uneasy mode of living, but Europe knows no better, and despairs of any other. We live here in America by the side of two powers, both of inferior numerical strength, but on peaceful terms. Our one war of conquest, beneficial as were its results, our best thinkers have been heartily ashamed of. Now that the slave-power is gone, we shall not be likely to see such another. We may well prefer our peace to all of Europe’s “glory.” It is entirely consistent that Prince Gortschakoff should issue a call for an International Congress at Brussels on the 15th of July. As war is always imminent among them, it is wise in the nations of Europe to agree to place it under well-defined limitations. Even the trade of destruction is susceptible of mitigation, and should have better defined rules for the protection of private property and of peaceful populations. We may accept these mitigations till Europe shall agree to disarm.—The Methodist.