The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-21
England as the Tail of Germany's
Kite.

Kite.
'In the independence and strength
of Austria rests the last hope of European
stability" So said the Marquis Of Sails
bury, as reported by cable. 1t is not easy
to see how this is especially conducive to
the honor of England, nor how it is a glory
to the tory party. or reason why
the people should continue to repose
confidence in Lord Salisbury's adj
ministration of foreign politics. The
especial commission of his government
was to re-establish British prestige and
influence in Continental politics. Eng
land was tired of economical craftsmanship
and wanted little of the old sort that she
might hurrah over. Gladstone and his as
sociates gave too much attention to the real
condition of the country and tried to base
official action on the real facts OF the rela-
tions of class to class. Tories did not like
that, and so rallied against the liberals all
classes who had vested rights in various OPP
pressions. Consequently government was
set up with an especial warrant to distract
attention from domestic evils by rush for
foreign glory YET after five years of I'M
limited sway, member of this government
declares, as if with the bravado Of
personal triumph, that European STA
biity depends not upon the will of the
British government, but upon the indie
pendence Of Austria: in fact. that the fate
of Europe is decided in councils where
England is not represented. And the
news from Vienna published to-day de-
clares that he is quite right about it. Eng
land, it should be noted, does not guarantee
this independence of Austria and did not
create it, and had neither part nor lot in
the game by which the attitude Of Austria
was made critical with regard to Russia.
1t was all done by Prince Bismarck and
consequently a British Foreign Ministry
holds up to the British people an achieve
ment of the German Chancellor as one
popular respect and confidence. But it
will probably prove even that this ''last
hope" Of Europe is delusive. It may not
just now be in the plan of Russian policy
to put it TO the trial, but if it is the delusion
will soon appear. Austria at Novi-Bazar
is counted as posted upon the TANKS of
Russian army moving to cross the
Balkans; and the stability of Europe con-
sequently turns upon the point whether
she can stop such an army. Austria
has eight hundred thousand soldiers,
Russia two millions. Germany will not
move soldier in that fight, but only
stands ready to seize Austrias German
provinces the instant the unhappy mon
archy is engaged in the fight to which
Bismarck has tempted her. Turkey can
resist very slightly, and her slight resist
ance is the only help Austrias mad
equate force would have in stopping the
Russians. In single campaign the Rus
slams would in Vienna blot out Salisbury's
''last hope" for the stability of Europe.
And she would not be alone, for Italy has
score to settle with Austria, which will
be due on the day when the Italians see
their northern neighbor in trouble. 1T Ger
many, Austria and Turkey are called upon
to defend the plan which is at the bottom
of their alliance, Russia, France and
Italy WILL perhaps, be prepared to dis
pute their pretensions. In that complica-
ton it would trouble the average English
statesman to know on which side his gov
o,p,uart halopoa1