The Paris correspondent of the Times reports that the relations
between France and Germany are again becoming "strained." The German semi-official papers have been requested to take notice of a revival of Chauvinism in France, and to say that the progress made by the Orleanist Party greatly alarms Germany. That party, according to Berlin, would, if it succeeded, resolve on war in order to establish the throne securely. The Berlin correspondent of the Standard gives some colour to these representations by reporting that the German Government has of late become both irritated and watchful. It is possible that Prince Bismarck may be better informed than the public, and it is certain that the French Chamber is passing fretful little Bills against spies ; but it is also probable that the German Chancellor is only playing his old game once more. He wants more revenue, and some military laws, one in particular increasing pensions ; and his way to get them is to remind Germans that they are not out of danger of attack yet. Peace may be broken from the Eastern side, where nothing keeps settled for a week ; but France is certainly unprepared for war, and the German Emperor, who enters on his ninetieth year next Monday, desires to live the rest of his days in peace. Europe has once already declared that she will not hear of wars as measures of precaution, and if it is needful, she can make the statement again.
