Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1870 — War in Europe. [ARTICLE]

War in Europe.

Great excitement exists rn Europe ■ad eotisMembU interest is mauifVjsted Itovmighoiit the United States acgardlftg the action of the Emperor Napoleon, of France, who I»W# 4*t4«wl ear against the kingdom of Prussia. Tltc declaration of war was occasioned by the allitndc of King William, of Prussia, respecting the affairs of Spain.— ties. Prim, who has been at the head ot the Spanish government since the dethronement of Queen Isabella, Tecently made overtures to Leopold, Prince Holienzollern, a subject of the Prussian crown, asking him to accept the candidature for the vacant Spanish throne.— King WiHL-mt, of Prussia, acquiesced iu and favored the proposition*. The French government opposed it and demanded that Leopold withdraw his pretentions.— This demand was complied with, whereupon France demanded that the Prussian government enter into a treaty or contract binding herself not to favor the candidature of any German prince for the Spanish crown. King William refused to accedo to the terms of this demand, hence the declaration of Avar by Franco. The nations of Europe are nearly all, m one way or another, being drawn into the quarrel, and are taking sides with the belligerants. How far this may be carried, aud to what extent the trouble will resell, it is simply impossible to foresee. We arc not sufficiently familiar with the facts—the relations of European powers towards one another, their treaties, interests, etc. —to say which parly is right, and we do not know enough concerning the resources of the antagonists to surmise which will be victorious. The American press and people are divided in their sympathy, some loudly denouncing France and others warmly upholding the course of Napoleon. So tar as our government is concerned, the United States should and does fcel friendly towards both the Prussians and the Freucb and it is her duty to remain strictly ucutral during the war.