The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-09-09
The situation in Europe.

slowly but surely gaining in power and IN
huence. One by one the time-honored (honored
only By their antiquity privileges and perquI-
sites of the class which has SO long ruled the
country, are being either gracefully resigned or
are forcibly wrested. Democratic ideas have
gained a great victory in the recent abolition OF
the army purchase system, and the boon OF the
ballot will follow. The dissolution OF the unholy
tie of Church and State comes next. The quiet
and peaceful settlement of the vexed Alabama
claims question is of itself a grand evidence OF
the vast change that has come over the tone OF
British politics during the past twenty years.
England policy is to-day more than ever before,
that of peace. While stronger than ever both
in men and means, she has a larger and a higher
educated public opinion influencing and control
ling the councils of government. Her interests
lie more in the direction of her children who
have gone out from her to other lands, there to
plant her free institutions, than in the concerns
of European d~ynasties and peoples. Thus her
policy is peace, and her mission to lead in the
van of true civilization and human liberty, while
undergoing at home a peaceful revolution. under
a constitutional monarchy in name, that is fast
becoming a republic in reality.
Across the channel, England's old enemy and
latterly her ally, France the irrepressible, rudely
awakened from the dream of the Empire and
sorely buffeted by a foreign conqueror, to-day, as
a republic, is rapidly recovering from the effects
Of her misfortunes. With wise and conserva-
tive government and Theirs at the head of affairs
for the next three years, she will rise, Phoenix
like, from her ashes, and having learned grave
lessons from the recent past, she will very soon
be better than ever prepared to take "a part,
which will be worthy of the France of old, il
the next European struggle. She has an account
to settle.
Germany looms up next only to Russia, the
predominant power of Europe. Resting from
the great efforts size SO recently put forth in the
humbling of France, she still maintains her atti-
tude of readiness for possible events, while con-
solIdating and harmonizing the various and
powerful States which compose the North Ger
man Empire. Austria, naturally her next friend
in Europe, must be conciliated by a good mutual
understanding, and SO the two Emperors met la st
month at an obscure town near the borders. The
astute Bismarck was of course present at the in
terview of the august personages. The Kaisers
did not, we may suppose, thus meet for the pur-
pose of handshaking and merely inquiring after
each others health-unless, indeed. under the
head of tue last may be counted the political
health of the peoples over whom they reign.
But without doubt, they unrolled the map of
Europe. Austria, in the nature of things, must
be the ally of Prussia, as against Russia, France
and Italy, and Sadowa must be forgotten. The
homogeneous materials which 60 to make up the
a. TI.-.-o - = -:
or less difficult to govern, and the strong alliance
with the Emperor William will guarantee future
quiet and safety. Thus will be consolidated the
German speaking powers of Europe. But all is
not yet serene in the new Empire. The prevail
ing religion of rome branches of the German
family is Roman Catholic. 1t is reported now
that Bismarck favors DIR. Dollinger, the Catholic
Professor who repudiates Popish infallibiIity,
and that he approves the project of the establish
ment of an independent German Catholic Church.
Religion in the State is a ticklish subject to deal
with, and even Bismarck may find it so. Alsace
and Lorraine are yet French in feeling and SYM
pathy, and must be ruled with the strong hand
of the conqueror. Troublesome property in view
of possible eventualities.
Italy has realized her dream of union with
Rome at last for her capital. The Pope, Invested
of his temporalities, appeals and
threatens, but concludes, despairingly, that all
hope is lost except a miracle occurs. The King
dom of Italy needs the strength of foreign
alliances, and the most natural Of these are
France and Russia.
Spain is apparently as unsettled as ever, and
divided up into incorporating factions. The
new King, who as Amadeus l. so recently as
cended the throne, finds that uneasy lies the head
that wears the Spanish crown. What with
Bourbon i~ntrigues and republican open or covert
opposition, his task of government is no easy one.
Lastly Russia, the giant of the North, is
making immense warlike preparations. Occa-
sionally, a note of the work going on in her
dockyards and arsenals is heard outside her terri
tories, but the world generally remains in ignor-
ance of its magnitude. 1t was stated quite re-
Gently by an observant traveller. that Russia's
feet of iron-clads for coast service, (the only
work for which iron-clads are really available)
equalled if not exceeded in number the same
style of vessels in the British navy. Her huge
armies were never in so high a state of efficiency
in numbers and material as now. Convenient to
the Austrian frontier we read of large bodies of
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may be termed-going on of laying the track for
the rapid transportation of whole armies by rail-
way. Skillful artisans and engineers from foreign
countries, particularly the United States and
England, are sought for and paid high salaries
by the government. All the improvements in
the art of war which modern ingenuity and ex-
perience have produced, Russia quietly makes
her own. And thus she stands ready. Ready
for what? The next European Uvar, which is
surely to come at no distant daay. Tire is deep
significance in the words rep1ted to baivs. fallen
Tith tine tine Fps : oil 'ae gar in a recent interview
Win the french ambassador, The position of
Russia today, x like that of France after the
pattie Oh os4eowa." Russia has her traditional
MISSION D fulfill, to bring about the final triumph
. ~ Cross over the Crescent. She grows i'm
nausnt, as she believes the time has come to
drive the Mohamedau Power to the other side of
the Bosphorus. Turkey is weak and tottering as
she stands, but her existence is still considered a
part OF the traditional policy of the balance of
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