, 1876-01-23
THE NEXT GREAT WAR.
The Impending Conflict in Eu-
rope---Isussia Ar1ning at
All Points.
An Alliance Of Russia, Austria, and
France Against England and
Germany.

France Against England anu
Germany.
CoT7fspondfnee 81. Louis G{obe-Democrat.
ST. PETEasDuRu Dec. %, 1875.-lou have
heard, doubtless, OF the active preparations for
var that have been going on in this country fos
some time past. These preparations are far
more active than is, or can be, kno.n outside Of
Russia, where. as you are aware. everything
political or military-tne two things are the same
here-is conducted with the greatest possible
caution and secrecy.
PREPARATIONS FOE WAR.
The entire Empire is getting ready for
offensive hostilities, rs is evident to any OBJ
server who travels to any extent through the
dominions Of the Gar. Tho present movement
is, indeed, so palpsble that the oiiica1s Of the
Russian army hardly deny, when asked by
civilians they are intimate with, that ) great
war is imminent. Of course. they don't cay
yes-in truth they have no positive knowledge
on the subject-but, on the other hand, they
don't say no, because negative would indicate
very little intelligence in tho face of incontesta-
s|e facts. r.r,n nx,1, on,rcr
It is generally believed that the object Of the
present martial activity is the Seizure, occu-
pancy. and absorption Of Turkey by Ruesia,
though it is not understood how or when Russia
IS to execute the plan she has go long and ar
IDENTIFY cherished. This Government rarely, if
ever, does or atte mpts to do anything without
ample deliberativn aud thorough equipment.
You may say that the demand Of the late
Nicholas l. upon the Sultan for the protec-
torate of all Turkish subjects protesting tho
Greek faith, would seem to disprove this The
Sultan, as everybody knows, fatty refused. no
one knowing better than the Czar that the Sui
tan would roiuse. What the Gar did not know
was that Turkey would be backed in her resist
ance by France and Great Britaian. Even had
he believed and known this. it is questionable it
he would have modified his demands. for he was
imperious and absolute to the last degree,
tyrant By temperament, despot in will.
Alexander il very different person from his
father. He has much OF his fathers strength,
without his injustice, and all OF his intellect
without his passionate blindness to consequences.
Alexander never makes move on the political
chess-board unless he has OF thinks ho has, his
deep game clearly wrought out in his own mind.
Quiet as he Is sagaclous' his quietnesH has de-
supreme ambition. He has never, for 2 mo-
ment given up any OF the plans his father en-
tertained, and he has added many plans on his
own account He is still young, in an Old World
sense, rot being 58 until next April. He fully
expects, before he dies, to change the condition
OF Europe, and he knows of no more effective
way to bring about that change than to cripple
the immense-the, at Present, oyershadowing
power OF Germany.
MISTAKEN NOTION.
have often heard in Berlin that the interest
Of Russia is one with the interest of Germany,
because the Gar and his family are more than
half German. The latter part OF this is true, for
Ale1auder's grandmother WAS Mary Of Wurtom-
berg his mother WAS the daughter of Frederick
William, King Of Prussia; and his wife is
daughter OF Louis IT,, Grand Duke Of Hesse-
Darmatadt~
The interest OF the two Nations however, is
antagonistic; having especially become SO since
the formation of the German Empire, Russia
has taken great pains to have, aud has succeed
ed in making, it understood that che is more of
an Aslatic than European power. Scarcely week
passes that one does not see in the Berlin, Paris,
and London newspapers the expression OF this
idea7 which pleases Alexander and his Court
nightly, because they are we'll aware that it is
not true. Whatever the Gar and his family
may be by blood, blood in Europe nowadays has
little to do with pollcy, particularly whon policy
is but another name Tor manifest advantage.
NEW AND SECRET ALLIANCE.
The existing power of Germany is an inces-
sant menace aud source Of alarm to every other
Power in Europe. Each nation feels, while
under =. the shadow Of Germany. that
Russia is more determined than ever
10 possess Turkey. and obliterate it from the
map. She felt that abe could not do this while
the old combination was available against her
That combination, after the Franco-Garman
war, was 10 longer possible. Russia's opportunl-
ty has come, and she has resolved to make the
most OF it. When she assumes the offensive
against Turkey, ahe necessarily expects to
be brought into COLLISION with other na-
tions. In order to be enabled 10
actaieve her purpose. Russia. 1t ia be-
heved, has secret understanding With France
aud Austria that they will stand by her. This
coalition, she has every reason to think. will
cause an alliance between Germany and Great
Britain against her aud the two other states
GEnMAyr's POSITION
Germany can, it is asserted put fully two mill
ions Of men into the ieId, and with such SOL
diers and such equipment IS she can command,
she feels sure she can defeat any force, however
large, that can be brought against her.
GREAT bR1rA1n's POSITION.
Crest Britain has long been jealous OF Rus
sias steady development eastward, fearing, not
without reason, that the Gear will soon become
an unpleasant noighbor as respects her Indian
possessions. Her chef interest being in that
direction, ahe belongs spontaneously to any aide
which, in event of e great contest, ID