, 1875-01-24


advances without alarm. Russia enjoys the
serene consciousness of an equal prowess.
She has already adopted the German military
md educational systems. When she shall
have perfected these systems, Russia will
have nearly double the prowess Of Ger
many-just in proportion that Russias popu-
lation is greater than Ger1nnny's- Russia and
the German Empire can hnve no quarrel,
Russia wants no territory which Germany
has, and Germany none which hussla
has. Their lines Lie in different di-
rections. There only remains,> then, the
desire which Germany may have to cripple
France again, aud permanently, before the
latter can recover her lost strength Having
already assured the possession Of Alsace and
Lorraine, and achieved the unifcation Of the
German States, the German diplomats must
feel too secure Of the Imperial power to
waste their strength and resources in man.
Cling weakened and wounded foe.
In spite OF all these reasonable arguments
against the prospects Of European war, the
apprehension is pronounced, and the Great
Powers are maintaining the full complement
of their standing armies and strengthening
their armaments. This is what called out
the London Times article, which has caused
the sensation, and which was most likely
prompted by the desire to urge the British
Cove. nment to put its house IN order for the
emergency. The s'Sick Man Of Europe" is
still the most dangerous element IN the inter-
national politics OF the old continent. A So
luton Of that problem is suggested by q
Washington correspondent Of the New York
Gsup]t6, who processes to have learned Of O
proposition which Bismarck has made to
France and Russia, on the following terms:
and Lorraine, with belgium and all the country Oh tho
west bank Of the Rhine.
Second-Th2t Russia shall he allowed to tAke POI
session Of Constantinorle and al OF the TurkAh pos
sessona In Europe, together with tho Hungarian and
6avonic populations in Austria.
In compensation for these immense concessions to
Russia and France Germany asks to ba allowed to
s1tend her rule tho a,0oo0Uo Of German popu-
lAtion In Auatzis (which would give her Vienna
and Trcate-and also to t2te possession OF Dennatk
Holland, md all the country the east bank Of the
Rhine This scheme would In volve the b1osug ont Of
Austr1a as mutton, Of Turkey In Europe. Of Dem
mark, Holland, and Belgium. It Il also understood
that t1sMAAcx demands that Russia ah4u surrender
to Germany the Baltic provinces Of Rcsais which
inhabited mainly by Ger1naua.
This scheme is not altogether so specula-
tive and visionary as most newspaper prog
nostications Of great alliances and national
transformations It has basis in the diplo-
matte thought aud discussion of Germany,
but that is all The details Of the scheme
are conspicuouslv inaccurate. Germany
would never cede to France the left side OF
the Rhine, portion Of which is included in
Alsace, as this is c1aimed as original German
territory and is necessary to the unity Of
the Empire; but it might part with
Lorraine for the considerations named
Germany might also be willing that
France should possess itself of that portion
Of Belgium contiguous to it, including Brus-
sells, which may be called French Belgium,
bnt not that portion which may be called
Dutch Belgium, including Antwerp. Ger
many wants that grand port; seaports are
her special envy; Antwerp would be worth
more to her than whole interior kingdom n.
Nor will Russia consent that Germany NC
quire Holland and Denmark without gnat
compensation. which may involve the infe-
pendence Of Sweden But the Ultramonts ne
question, most Of all, prevents at present SO
radical solution Of the intricate Europe An
problem as this scheme suggests. The
German Empire would gladly absorb
the nine millions Of German popula-
ton which Austria contains, but it would
have to take with them the sir millions moro
Of the Slavonic and Bohemian peoples of the
same Empire who are mixed among them
On this basis, the German Empire would
have rreponderance of Catholic population.
BISMARCK will not consent to this, as he has
already openly declared, nor strive for it until
he has disposed Of the u1tranontane difficult
ties that he hos already on hand Any such
reconstruction Of the map of Europe as is
outlined above would bring about general
war, indeed, in Which Belgium, Denmark,
Turkey, Austria, Holland, probably Norway
and Sweden, would make desperate but
Intellectual struggle for resistance. They
might have the aid of England, but this is
doubtful The time lies hardly come for such