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and they are at the same time almost a copy of the apocalyptic programme respecting the " drying up of the Euphrates," or wasting of Turkey in Europe :-"The example of the principalities may and will be imitated in good time by all the provinces of Turkey in Europe, and thus, without any dramatic catastrophe or dangerous shock to the balance of power, Constantiwithin the lifetime of some of us be once more restored to Christendom."

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The Greek cabinet stated, March 20:-"The Ottoman empire is at this moment threatened with a general revolution in its European provinces. The government of the Porte does not refuse to recognize this truth. All its measures testify to the intimate consciousness it feels of the crisis through which it must pass. Its armaments on land and by sea, notwithstanding the financial position of the empire, reach and exceed all that the Porte was able to do when, during the Crimean war, it was called upon to make its last effort.

"The reclamations of the Porte are made with the

sole intention of compromising the Greek government. The great powers will not allow themselves to be deceived by these manœuvres. We have a main interest that they should not, for we see a catastrophe in the East approach with rapid steps, when we shall necessarily have recourse to their good will and support."

The Times, April 25:-"There is no doubt that Russian agents are active in the East as well as among

the Ruthenes. Russian agents are always active and numerous, but it by no means follows that Russia is anxious to bring matters to a climax at once in the East. There is a considerable difference between spending a hundred pounds on an emissary and a hundred millions on a war.

"Nevertheless, the fear of a war with Russia, and that soon, exists almost universally, and the fear of war itself has before now led to its own realization.”

The foreign correspondent of the Standard gives a report of the speech of M. Thiers, who thus describes Europe, in March, 1867 :—“That subject is the situation of Europe, and, in particular, of France with regard to Europe. That situation is serious, and to be convinced thereof it were sufficient, if any doubts. were entertained, to refer to the bill laid before us a few days ago, the object of which is to give our armaments a magnitude they had never attained before. And it is not France alone that is acting thus, but every state in Europe, big or little. Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, are all summoning to arms the greatest possible mass of their population. The great states have also adopted the same system, although the number of their subjects might have rendered it unnecessary for them to resort to it. Austria, although she stands in such great need of rest, is thinking of increasing her forces. Italy, who has also need of rest, and who ought to leave Europe in peace after having so greatly disturbed it, spurns the idea of a disarmament,

which the state of her finances renders so desirable. Spain, although so effectually protected by the barrier of the Pyrenees, is doubling her peace effective. England, still better protected by her insular position, is devising means to make up for the deficiencies of voluntary enlistment. Russia, powerfully armed as she has been since the negotiations concerning Poland, bas just ordered a fresh levy. As for Prussia, the cause of all this movement, the government knows what she is doing; if it does not know it, then it stands alone in its ignorance. That situation, I repeat, is serious, and my memory fails to supply me with any parallel instance."

We have only to read the statistics of the war offices of the nations of Europe in order to see that they at least scent the coming storm, and see on the edge of the horizon those war clouds that presage the approach of "the Time of trouble." In France,

480,000 Chassepot rifles are in course of manufacture, the most of which are to be finished before the 1st of March, 1868. In Prussia, the needle-gun and rifled cannon system are to be maintained. The gun manufactories are very busy in completing the stores for the arsenals, and 1,100,000 breech-loading steel barrels have been ordered since the war. In Austria, the alteration of 600,000 guns is proceeding upon the Wanzl principle; and 300,000 of them are to be completed by the end of the year. Bavaria, Würtemberg, Baden, and Hesse-Darmstadt adopt the breechloading gun, giving the preference to the Prussian

rifled cannon, and large orders are in course of execution. In England, 150,000 Enfield rifles are already converted on the Snider principle. In the course of the year 350,000 guns of the same kind will be ready. The government manufactories are converting 1000 guns every day. By the end of the twelve months 426 rifled cannons of various calibres will be manufactured. The Russian government is converting 600,000 guns on the Carle principle-a modification of the needle-gun; and 300,000 will be ready by the beginning of next year; while 900 breech-loading cannon are in course of construction to complete the field batteries. In Denmark the chambers have voted a large sum for the conversion of the present guns into breech-loaders, but the model weapon has not yet been decided upon. In Holland the government is converting the present arm into guns on the Snider principle. In Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece the breech-loading gun is adopted. Spain and Greece have ordered cannon from the manufactory of M. Krupp, of Essen, in Prussia; and even Belgium will continue the use of the rifled Prussian cannon adopted in 1864, and will bring into use the breechloading small arm.

Near the opening of 1867 the Times thus wrote: -"One half of Europe arrayed against the other half-such is the prospect with which we are incessantly entertained by the Continental press. There is, no doubt, a great deal that is grossly exaggerated, palpably contradictory, and egregiously absurd in

these alarming reports; but there is also, in the midst of all, one truth undeniable, and that is enough. to give rise to the most gloomy forebodings. All Europe seems to have only one business-to arm. The official organs of the French government have been only too eager to undeceive the world as to the task and object of the commission called together to inquire into the conditions of the Imperial army. France is not going to disarm. She has no intention whatever to reduce her land or sea forces by one single man. An increase of the reserve, a mobilization of the National Guard, may be in contemplation; but the 400,000 of the standing army are deemed to be rather below than above the mark, and people must prepare rather for an increase than for a reduction in the war budget. The example of France would leave little choice for the policy of other powers, if these needed any stimulus in their military preparations. But the mania for 'big battalions' has spread to all states, large and small. Russia is swelling her ranks by 300,000 recruits; Prussia is organizing four new corps; Austria is remodelling and reforming; everywhere new weapons are tested, new systems discussed. The art of killing threatens to become the exclusive industry of Europe.

"With all this accumulation of the means of destruction, however, and the combative spirit that it seems but too naturally calculated to foster, it is not easy to foresee from what quarter the signal for new hostilities is to be given. The immense magnitude

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