p. 112 | Europe Preparing for War

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 17, 1872

Europe Preparing for War.

Rumors of coming conflicts, and, indeed, of a general war, have filled the atmosphere of Europe for some time past. It may be that great preparations to avoid war, or, at least, to be ready for any emergency, have given currency to these rumors, although the occasions for war are not wanting. But the state of things all over the continent, at the present time, is decidedly martial, and the peaceful but grand military displays that are taking place have a significance. The London Times says:

“The hosts of Europe are being marshalled in numbers sufficient to invade and conquer kingdoms. They are provided, at immense cost, with the full equipment and the most scientific apparatus of war; they are commanded by generals who feel, it is said, all the responsibilities of a campaign, and by officers earnest to obtain the practical knowledge of their profession; they engage in the most complicated operations, and all to prepare for that coming war which the policy of every European State assumes to be inevitable. The Russians commenced their grand maneuvers this week, and are still in the midst of them. It is to be hoped that in their northern latitude, the heats from which we are suffering are a little tempered. The Prussians enter into campaign on the 1st of August, and for nine days the operations will proceed with as much seriousness and precision as if the armies were once more marching on Paris. The great heat prevented the French review the other day, but the autumn will not have begun before the reconstructed army of the republic will be tested as openly as its chiefs can venture to recommend, considering the susceptibilities of Berlin. The Austrians, ever beaten, but ever confident, and with a military machine which, to the professional eye is always in perfect order, will not be behindhand. No State has labored more at army reform and organization than Austria during the last six years, and she will take her usual pride in exhibiting her new weapons and her new uniforms on the largest scale to military critics. Passing over minor continental States, which are all ready to spend their last shilling on soldiers, we come to a country in which there is more fuss about military matters than in any other, though the people, with the utmost sincerity, protest their peacefulness, and boast of their freedom from the warlike passions. We, too, shall have our autumn maneuvers to display, and instruct a select portion of the national force which, as far as numbers go, is really formidable, and which is certainly far larger than Great Britain has ever maintained in time of peace. Between the present time and the end of September, the governments of Europe will have set in the field whole armies, the choicest levies of a body which cannot be reckoned at less than four millions of men.”—N. Y. Observer.