The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-18

money enough to do so. Germany is under burden
which she can neither carry throw of. So on
one side We find Hodels and N0bilings in arms and
on the other we have Bismarck saying as he does in
letter telegraphed to the morning papers. that the
Empire can only raise money by the severest and
most compromising system of protection
CHINESE WALL AROUND GERMANY.
Protection! Why. supposed that this belonged
to the Middle Ages and that only weak nations like
Spain or ignorant nations like tho United States
would deign to take refuge in protection Now. alas
enlightened Germany. the mother of thought and
progress proposes to become protective as Japan
or China / see no incident in the closing year
pregnant as this When the Germans captured Metz
strasbourg they began the most elaborate works
to protect their new frontier and their posses
sions from France That was a material de-
fence Now they propose commercial lines of
defence. Bismarck must have money. He
cannot levy direct and he must exact in
direct taxes. I conceive nothing sug-
gestive OF the great changes taking place in Eu-
rope than that at time when America is about to
come into line free trade State Germany leads
in return to protection. There is large party in
England that must follow her to-day. Already tories
say that for sheer sefdefence barrier against adj
vancing America, Beaconsfeld may be compelled to
re-enact the laws and tax the imports of Amer
feed.
GLOOM IN SPAIN
All these are strange signs, and show you how i'm
portant part America-poor, dear. despised Amer
ica-that only few years ago was bubble, abursted
republic an unhealthy that had by Gods
blessing been cured, and was abolished forever is
playing in the world. Behind America comes France.
They together in their two revolutions in the
last century. They together now. The two i'm
portant facts in the history of the day France
and America. Look at Spain. Her poor little King
sits shvering on his throne. friend Of mine told
the other day that the King did not dare to leave
SPAIN lest when he returned he would find throne.
They have tried to shoot him, too; not that any one
would do him harm. but because he represents
SYSTEM and the political elements much at
against that system nature at when the
earthquake came upon Lisbon. Spain is republican.
Her best men republicans. The republic would
now be living but for the enmities Of the out
side nations and the treason Of generals who deserved
the guillotine. Remember how England treated the
republic. So long as CASTELAR, was constitutional
and elected President England declined to recognize
him. The moment Pavia made his coup detot, driving
ont CASTELAR, with bayonets. England recognized the
usurpation just she. with joy and swiftness. rec
ognzed Napoleon after the coup detat Look at Italy.
There is royal house in Europe more popular than
the House Of Savoy, sovereign more in sympathy
with the republicans than the Of Victor Emman-
ue Yet they have tried to kill this King and throw
Italy into a revolution.
AUSTRIA. RUSSIA AND FRANCE.
Of Austria and Russia what can one say? There is
no country in Europe permeated with revolution
airy ideas Russia and you read closely that incl
dent of the students and the heir apparent tele-
graphed here the other day you will see that it
means more than appears Austria is dead. She only
exists because her Emperor is the second choice Of
nationalites who do not to assert their first
choice. But this reserve is only for the present.
The Germans will so to Germany. the Italians to
Italy and the Slavs to Russia. That Bosnia
occupation bad business as showing the
feebleness of Austrian power. Alone among the
European nations France closes the year in con-
tentment and prosperity. The Republic has
every side. She has shown patience-wondrous pa
thence. Beginning with the German occupation and
the Commune, with majority Of royalists in the
Assembly and tool of the royalists in the Elysee,
she has conquered everything and begins the new
year with majority in the Senate. Notwithstanding
the taxation France because of her in
demnity France is the only of the great Powers
that say she ends the year prosperously. Her
influence to-day is the most powerful in Europe. 1t
is not an influence like that Of the first revolution
an armed proselytism, bent overturning the
thrones Of Europe and making nations repub-
licans whether they cared or not; nor is it
like that Of the First Napoleon who believed he
the ordained Emperor of the West and that French
blood and French money were given him to establish
this empires but it is gentle. benehcent influence.
like the warm current Of the Gulf Stream. which
forces its way into the icy North and riffs the ice
bergs out of eternal and clothes islands and
tnents with verdure. So republican France is rifting
out old monarchies and old systems and clothing
Europe with republican spirit which can only end
in federation of peaceful naonalities. wise enough
to see that the highest aim of government is the hap
piness of the people. and that civilization means
universal freedom and universal peace