The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-05-31
BISMARCK'S RETURN,

The return of Bismarck from his
strategic retirement will not greatly as
tonish those who have watched the
course of this adroit statesman. It is
one of the ways to get quite ont Of sight,
and out of mind if possible, when
an emergency approaches say moth
| ing, do nothing and to lie waiting events
with dangersprings. Probably tits safe to
say that the Prussian statesman has
| long and clearly foreseen the entangle-
ment in which Russia and Turkey, Aus
tria and Great Britain now find them
selves. There are those who believe
that he has not only foreseen but assist
ed events, as Napoleon used to'scorrect
| destiny" at times. With or without
help, destiny has placed the Russian
armies on the Danube and in Armenia;
has brought an independent crown to
German prince in Roumania, and dec
laration of war against Turkey; has
alarmed Austria to the utmost for the
safety Of its Hungarian dominions, and
has aroused the Government of Great
Britain to vigorous and hasty prepar-
atoms for interference, if Russia should
threaten Constantinople, or India, or
the Suez Canal. Each of these powers
has its hands full. All the power that
England has it will have to exert if it
finds occasion for interference against
Russia. Austria, at the utmost, can on
ly fight for existance. Russia and
Turkey, considering distance, means of
transportation, the Turkish Defenses,
the control of the Black Sea, the
deadly climate of the Danubian
provinces in the approaching Summer
months, and the religious fanaticism to
which the Turk appeals, are at least so
evenly matched that no speedy and de-
cisive success is expected. The Euro
pean Powers are entangled, for a time,
at least, inextricably. Germany and
France only are free as yet.
But destiny, with or without aid, has
placed France in the charge of a react
ionary government. 1t is a government
which is distrusted and hated by the
most intelligent, active, and ardent por-
ton of the French people; govern
meDt which finds itself compelled to
dispense the representatives of the peo-
pie at the very outset, and to prepare
with extraordinary vigor to defend itself
by extreme use OF its power III future
elections; a government the very exis-
tence of which is slur upon French
history and an insult to the nineteenth
century. France made Rome free;
Rome now tries to enslave France.
That the French people will not sustain
such government with heartiness and
unanimity, Bismarck knows well. To
him, moreover, whose conflict with the
Church party in Germany has left some
keen memories, this new rule in France
seems the fruit of Jesuit plots, and its
inevitable tendency hostility toGermany.
That much if not all of this situation
was foreseen, may be inferred from the
remarkable speech of Moltke on the
Army bill-a speech whichs startled
Europe for the moment, but left no
lasting impression only because Europe
could see no sufficient occasion for it.
Has Germany been waiting and prepar-
ing for precisely this opportunity, to
deal with French government which
has not the hearty support of the French
people, which can with difficulty sustain
itself, and which may easily be regarded
as menace to theempire by which Jes
uits were expelled?
1t is to be expected that kilograms
will continue to assure us that there is
significance in the return of Bismarck,
and that Germany has not single
thought which is not of peace. Ger
many has never been the dog that
banks. Whether it means to bite or not
probably MacMahon and his new cleri-
cal and reactionary advisers would really
like to know.-Y Y. Tribune.