The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-07-15
The Situation i'm Europe.

On the 18th of July, 1915, ffty-six years ago
to-day, the First Napoleon was banished to the
rocky mid-ocean prison of st. Helena. What
strange and stirring events have during those
years, succeeded each other in the history of
Europe! The great exile then propheeied that
in fifty years Europe would be either Republican
or Cossack and behold it is neither. The King
of Prussia, among the other allies, at the dis
ruption of the first French Empire in 1915, was
content to take what he could get to-day, his
successor, as Emperor of Germany, doles out to
France from the ruins of the second empire, what
he pleases-Turkey is not the only sick mar in
Europe-while Austria and England. no longer
holding the first rank in power and influence
among the nations, helplessly behold Russia and
Prussia overshadowing and dominating Europe.
And now, what shall be the political future of
Europe? Are dynastic interests, or the wishes
of the million to become the handspring of
politics?
Holding as she does the commanding position
of head of the German Empire, Prussia will be
true TO her instincts of Cesarism. All that is
German speaking of Austria must be absorbed.
Moravia and Bohemia constituted integral por-
tons of the old German Empire. and as such
must be reclaimed. Then the products of Ger
man industry will require increased outlets, and
further materials for the expansion of commerce..
Germany will require free access to the seaboard
of the German Ocean. She will require ships
and colonies. The possession of Holland would
place all these requirements at her disposal, and
enable her to fructify her home mme a
hundredfold. The language and religion of Hol-
land are Teutonic, the military traditions are
identified with those Of Germany, and the Meth
erlands were an important limb of the old Ger
manic Empire. And beyond this, Prussia re-
quires still further seaboard for her prospectively
gigantic commerce.. We hear already of prepar-
atoms for The acquisition by purchase of a colonial
possession on the west coast of Africa the rich
possessions of Java and Surinam, with their
twenty millions of population, at present belong
to Holland and are there not a plenty of I'M
claimed Islands in the Pacific, out of which to
make naval stations and coaling depots? A
Prussian protectorate might perchance fit well
the inchoate Kingdom of FIJI.
The absorption of Holland would deal a heavy
blow at the naval supremacy of England. For
the last fifty years, the influence of England
abroad has depended in a great degree on the
martial spirit and the indomitable pluck she
displayed in the struggles with the First Napo-
leon. Since then a growing party in the state
has shaped the policy of the Government in favor
of Withdrawing it from active Intervention in
European affairs, and combining it's energies to
internal affairs. Thus occurred the shameful
abandonment of Denmark in the affair of the
Duchies, which has given rise to three wars and
the present difficulties that look England in the
face. For if Russia were now to enter upon a
new. phase of encroachment in the East. towards
the accomplishment of her traditional mission
the driving of the Turk from Europe-could
England interpose with dignity and effect? With
the plain good understanding, if indeed it is not
a closer relationship, which exists between Russia
and Prussia, the two dominant powers of Europe,
England might as well try to resist any joint
scheme of conquest pursued by these two mighty
military monarchies, as a child might venture to
arrest an avalanche. The other states of Europe
are weaker than England, and a warlike combina-
ton is out of the question. But union is strength,
and the liberal states of Europe, like the sticks
in the fable, though weak in themselves, can
easily become strong by mutual alliance. The
time Is not lnopportune, and Will doubtless be
improved, for a league among the smaller states,
based upon mutual defence from attack, which,
if it could not preserve peace, might afford Eng
land, in conjunction with her crippled allies, a
fulcrum of support in time of need. Thus, if
England shall now pay more attention to her
foreign relations, it may be, that if the autocrats
of the North persist in indulging in their old
freak of enriching themselves at their fshbors
expense, they may not find old England UMPIRE
pared to maintain her power and greatness. We
do not, at all events, lose faith in GOO, and in the
education of the masses in right princi-
pies. Besides, the moral influences if not the
e~xertions of the Great Republic are to
be regarded in specializing on the probable future
Of Europe.