New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-14
BISMARCK IND BEACoYSFTELD.


The commanding figures in the Berlin Con-
gress are the German Chancellor and the BRIT
ish Premier. NJ. Waddington and Count Corn
are interested spectators rather than actors lh
the Radziwell Palace. Count Andrassy has
chung so tenaciously to the policy OF mastery
inactivity that he has lost the chance to play
a great part, and must content himself WIN
leading the chorus. The quick-witted lgna-
tieff who framed the Treaty of San Steiano'
is sulking IN his country house, while his eau
tlous associates, Prince GOrtschakOit ana Count
Scbouvalof, 10y committing themselves In adj
vance to compromise with the British Cab
met, have restricted themselves to suDOrdl-
nate parts. The figures that catch the eye on
the opening-night of the Congress are fTlhce
Bismarck and the Earl of BeacOnsiieid. These
are the statesmen who are likely, as the
phrase goes. to make hit. If they use their
opportunities Alright, their popularity at home
and their prestige in Europe will be lmmeas-
uraby increased.
Germany has been staggering under the
burdens of an enormous military establish
ment during period of commercial stagna-
ton. The pressure of drll-and-taX system
has stimulated popular discomfort, Socialism
is, primarily, a revolt against civil ana relE-
ious authority, but, secOndarily, reaction
against military discipline. The nation Is
like a young giant who Is compelled to sleep
with his armor on, long after all his foes are
conquered The disalIected classes are asking
questions like these :" When shall we disarm
What do we gain by this everlasting drill
ing and ordnance practice Why should
Germany be kept in the saddle alte6 eight
"years of peace ?" The Chancellor has an an
swer ready as he takes his seat in the Con-
grcss: "The nation is menaced neither on
"the right hand nor on the left This command
cling position it holds by virtue of its military
organization.r 1t is true. Austria has not re-
gained her influence nor France her pluck.
Russia is still painting from her ex-
hausting struggle with Turkey, and Great
Britaiu's Scpoys have yet to fight their iirt
great campaign. Germany has not been kept
in the saddle for naught. Her supremacy rs
the strongest Power on the Continent Is no.
where questioned. Her triumphs in the field
and III the Cabinet have not been suffered to
go to waste. She has enemies within her bor-
dcrs-but none without. by virtue Of this mill
tary prestige the Chancellor enters the Congress
as the arbiter of the Eastern Question. As
the master diplOmatIst of a European council
for which his tact has opened and wcll-nigh
forced a way, he appeals TO the patriotic inn
pulses of the Fatherland. He does this, more
over, at critical stage Of German politics,
when new elections have been ordered, with
a view to uprooting Socialism by rcprcsslve
measures in the RcIchstag. So bold @ stroke
could not have been better timed.
The Earl of Beaconsfcld, in like manner,
appeals to national vanity. Circuitou5 as bis
foreign policy has been, it Is specifically
brilliant and momcntarlly popular in England.
After the CTimean war the energies OF the
Government were directed TO internal meas
ures and withdrawn from European affairs.
This was the natural tendency OF re-
form bills which invested the trading and
manufacturing classes with political power.
Even under the strong proyocauon OF
the invasion of Denmark III 1864. the Ma
ton held aloof and made no efforts to enforce
the treaty obligations OF the two Powers that
united in that high-handed act The policy
Of neutrality has been worn thrcadbare until
the national reputation for vaior II based
mainly upon the charge of the Light Brigade
and the traditions Of Waterloo. The Premier
has made a show of fighting if he has done
nothing else. He has not only gildcd the
throne with Imperial devices, but has adyer-
tised the military resources of the realm by
fetching a few regiments of Sepoys TO Malta.
By dexterity, brayado and pcrtinacity he has
forced Russia to rcccde from her position and
to lay the Treaty of San Stefano unconditiOn-
ally before the Congress. We shall soon
know whether the concessions which have
been made are worth the enormous risks
which he has taken, but temporarily be
has carried off the honors Of the preliminary
negotiations. He has restored British prestige
in a European council and his countrymen
already regard him with complacency. If lac
can retire from the Congress with the same
grace with which he enters it, he can dissolve
Parliament and appeal to the country with
stronger assurances of support than Prince
Bismarck now has in Germany.
THE RAILROAD VAR.