The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-04-09
next, the necessity and justice Of 1t will dawn
upon the public mind.
nnuaerOus Complications in
Europe.

From the ". T. HeTuoW -
Tn our ,eleeraphio and ordinary news col
NINA we have from day to day for some time
oet oiven intelligence which can only be ex-
blamed on the principle that Europe is on the
eve of q great, tremendous crisis. From
the northern shores of the Baltic to the north |
ern shores Of the Mediterranean it is difficult
to name spot where war alarms do not exist,
where war preparations are not going on.
The fortress OF Luxembourg, it is true, which
so nearly involved Europe in war in the
spring OF 1867, is being demolished; but for
tresses are growing up all over Prus 5ia.
Russia strengthens herself in the Baltic, and
in those waters so long under her control
Prussia begins to be a dangerous rival. The
Firms, completely under the heel of Russia
since 1909, but attached to the Protestant
faith, speaking the Swedish language and che
rishiDg Swedish traditions, have no sympathy
with their present masters and long to be re-
united to the people with whom they bravely
fought under the great Gustavus. The grow
ing power of Prussia begins to inspire them
with hope, and, as our correspondent at St.
Petersburg shows, encourages them to speak
ou. A collision on the Baltic between Russia
and Prussia is no longer an impossibility.
Spain as yet vainly seeks king, and it now
seems that Napoleon must submit to fresh
Bismark victory in the appointment of Mont
pensier to the vacant throne. Meanwhile a
Belgian question has turned up-a question
which may yet assume dangerous proportions.
Add to all this that Europe bristles with bayo-
nets that the material of war is being manu-
fsctured in fabulous quantities, and that
horses are being bought by government
agents in every market. Actual war has not
yet broken OUT but the burdens, the uncer-
tainties, the anxieties of war are everywhere
so experienced that actual war would be
relief.
Wherefore, then, this state of thingsP Why
ic hot 10 mil llxa cd
universally dreaded, and 80 universally deemed
unnecessary The explanation is to be found
in the relations which have for some time
existed between France and Prussia. The
French press, the French War Minister, the
French Emperor, 30 far as we can know their
thoughts, have given the world good reason
to believe that the time has come when the
French people must know once and for all
whether or not they are the controlling force
in the European body polite. 1t is not other
wise with Prussia. Since 1865 the Emperor
of the French has known that there existed a
power too weighty for even his genius and
too strong to be crushed by any force at his
command. No one questioned the right of
France to choose her President, and, later,
to choose her Emperor. France had the
sympathy of the Western nations when
she fought at later day for the holy
places and the integrity of the Turkish
empire. At date even later still, when Aus
tria was humbled, and when Italy, through
the forces at the command of the French En-
peror, was made unit, the European powers
not Immediately concerned looked on, and
were silent. 1t was not until 1866 that the
world generally began to question the policy
and the infallible wisdom of the French En-
peror. Since 1866, however, the fates have
been rather against him. Prussia, mainly
through the force Of individual genius, has
brought to the surface new and controlling
in ha
mastery of Europe, for some time previous
supposed to be in the hands of France, was
then questioned. Prussia became more daring
than France, and Bismark showed more i'm
mediately telling genius than Napoleon. Since
then the situation has been changed. The
mastery ofEurope has. besn an open question,
claimed by two powers. France claimed it
and Prussia claimed it. Which is entitled to
the position has yet to be proved.
We state the whole European trouble when
we say that France and Prussia, Napoleon
and Bismark, are jealous and fearful of each
other. Whatever complications now exist
and the complications are numerous and
serious-must be looked at, to be understood,
from this particular standpoint. Germany
and France are now, although there is no
actual war, struggling for the mastery of
Europe. Which is to winH Which is to be
| master2 France and Napoleon say that they
| must win. North Germany and Bismark say
| they must VIII. France arms HERSELF TO the
| teeth; so also does Prussia. We wait, how
| ever, for actual war; and while we wait the
intending conbatants look out for allies and
the European nations choose their sides. How
do the European nations stand in regard tC
the struggle
We have put a question which it is not sc
easy to answer. In the approaching struggle
which our news columns and the irresistible
logic Of facts prove to be inevitable, wha
nations are to be the allies of France anC
In such struggle as that which is now i'm
pending France would, in ordinary circum
stances, command the sympathy and supper
of Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Austria. Blu
the circumstances are not ordinary, and hereiI
lies the trouble. On the other hand Prussii
will command the sympathy and gold of Eng
land, the sympathy and sinew of Holland, O
Sweden and Norway, and even OF injured
Denmark. How Russia will go is one of tn
biggest questions of the hour. If she shoult
throw her forces on the side of France tn,
results will be fearful. Perhaps it nigh
be safest to say that while Europe on an earl
day is likely to be arrayed in two hostil
camps, Russia and England, knowing tina
their great contest is to take place on tn
fields of Central Asia, are willing for the pre-
sent to stand aloof and be spectators of tn
fray. One thing we can no longer refuse t
admit is that great European war is inev
table.
The Annexation Mania Cub;
and 81. heOminSO.
From the ". y Times.
There is evidently concerted movement {
foster a spirit of flhustaris and a desira fo