The sun., 1880-02-01
WHAT 10 CONC ON IN EUROPE.

NOR ana WORKED IL up 10 bucn point tnht IL
began to be seriously discussed by tho press OF
other countries. including our own. large
number OF able eader-wrters all over the sur
face OF the globe inquired whether 1t was upon
Germany or upon Austria that tho Russian at
tack was to bo made. and everybody seemed to
overlook the fact that neither the German nor
Austrian newspapers ever took any notice OF
the supposed hostile preparations against their
respective countries.
That troops have beon moved to and fro along
tho western frontier OF Russia seems to be
fact; but they have been moved simply for
economical ana disciplinary roasons. Every
man who knows anything about military
affairs understands that there is no worse
policy than that Of allowing troops to remain In
the same quarters for any considerable length
OF time They become effeminate. and acquire
habits OF comfort utterly incompatible with the
character OF their duties.
That Russia has neither the intontion nor the
means Of going to war with any European
power is evident from tho utterances of the
Gar himself and all his Ministers and Gen.
erals who have been interviewed by the cor
respondents Of the newspapers since the close
OF the Turkish campaign. The bankrupt condi-
tion OF Russian finances, and tho constantly
spreading revolutionary movements at homo.
are tho best possible guarantees that the Gar
will keep the peace. even II he were not nat
urally OF such pacific disposition. In
German military circles the idea OF
Russian attack upon that country is scoffed
at A Berlin military periodical. conducted
by the best staff officers. has shown what
would be the results to Russia Of an attempt
to mako war upon Germany. Foremost among
them would be the occupation OF st. Petersburg
and Moscow by German armies within six
weeks after their mobilization. The marching
and countermarching Of the eight or nine army
corps along the Russian frontier is thought to
be OF no more importance than the yelling and
drumming OF African savages. who hope to
frighten their enemies by making hideous
noise. Russia. say the German military writer's.
will never be able to terrify either Germany or
Austria by displaying clumsy accumulations Of
badly armed and badly drilled soldiers. At the
same time. the Berlin correspondent Of the
London Netos observes:
The last has added co 900 900 of roubes per
Rn;.S, IS budget M for SpSn neW s9s & i !,
mat ~ me aonn SCI dGwn % ntine 0qogst o S
win be i7ooo6oob Of ronbes SoooG0OJ more than in
Germany under these circumstances regarded al
together out OF the question upon the Berlin Bourse
That there is ill-feelinG between the Germans
and the Russians cannot be questioned. But
this ill-feelinG has existed from time imme-
mora the mass OF the Russian people being
cACoeuihey JoulOub vi tIlo vi thc oel-
man courters who are imported by the Ger
man brides Of tho Imperial family. as well rs
OF the German bankers imported by the Ger
man courters. But from this to declaration
OF war the distance is very great indeed. Con-
siderable sensation has recently been caused
by quarrel between some Russian and Ger
man officers in frontier village near Kalisch
But tho whole story turns out to be merely a
drunken brawl. Some officers of Russian and
German cavalry regiments stationed on tho
frontier met at a friendly dinner. got full be-
gan to discuss politics. and ended by drawing
their swords. No blood was shed. however. as
the respective Colonels interfered in time. and
the whole affair ended in a series OF apologies
and disciplinary arrests.
The new pet of the Car. Prince Alexander OF
Bulgaria. seems TO be in very serious plight
He is a lad Of 90 years. brought up under the
influence Of the German military system. and
has not the slightest idea OF the workings OF a
constitutional Government. His notions con-
corning the wants Of the people he has been np-
pointed to govern are still moro vague. From
the very start he got into all sorts of troubles.
which resulted in his appointing a Cabinet
utterly hostile to the majority OF the Assembly.
which overthrow the Ministers. Upon this the
Prince dissolved tho Assembly. without there
being the slightest chance of the next election
returning moro manageable Legislature. for
the requirements Of ignorant Bulgarian peas
ants. anxious about nothing except the
restoration OF the prosperity OF their
fields and farms desolated by war. are
by no means likely ever to come into har-
mony with the ideas OF n dragoon lieuten-
ant Of the German school. Things seem to
have gone so far that Prince Alexander has left
for ST. Petersburg for the purpose OF asking
the advice OF the Car and his Ministers. Their
counsels are not likely to do him much good.
and some English newspapers express doubts
as to his ever returning to his dominons.
In France the Cabinet Of NJ de Freycnet
seems to be working quite smoothly as yet. with
the exception of the War Department, the new
head Of which. Gen. Fare. seems to have been
acting in rather q high handed manner. He
has dispensed with the active services of n num-
Der OF Generals known to have imperialist af-
flliations. The list includes men like Marshal
Canrobert and Gen. Davoust. Due dAuerstadt
Gen. Fare is tho first thoroughly republican
General intrusted with the war portfolio since
the establishment Of the republic. and seems to
be disposed to keep none but thorough rcpubl-
cans in office. The changes were made in
very polite form. The Generals whose services
have been dispensed with are called to other
functions" which functions are. however. not
set forth. and may never be designated. In re-
gard to Marshal Canrobert. the Paris corre-
spondent of the London Truth says:
Marshal Canrobert is of the great military o'cias
whom Fare has turned the cold However his
dismissal from the War Ofce does affect society st
large. and will not diminish the carnival anusemcnts
when the Emperor ~ the TuileTes, the Harshal
lived up To the full length Of his tethor and
little beyond it, first bachelor and next as the
elderly husband ot pretty young wife, fond OF show,
and classed in BonaparuSt society as court belle
For her social status la Marcchae was not eXtrava-
CANT in her expenses, hut though she had a TAR,
seeing Scotch she did not calculate on the dt5de OF
the empire Since the Marshals return from c. rmAny
he has employed his administrative talents ~ clearing on
thus engaged. tile Marcchale was drawn by her attach
the Empress to live in England and has stayed
good deal in tile vicinity Of Windsor Castle. II she had
made this the Prince Imperial would not have
had the opportunity To form the romantic attachment
which impellcd hm to seek harvest OF AuTes at the
Cape. In establishing order in his affairs, Marshal Can
robert greatly aided by the emUumentS-3OOO 90
francs yearut the post which drops from him, and BY
the military patronage II threw into his hands
Although the masked balls at tho Grand
Opera House are said to have degenerated OF
late years into dull promenades. It seems that
their opening this year has been a success.
chiefly due to the engagement of new band
master from Vienna. Philip FahIbach. who.
within the last year or two. has achieved as
great reputation as a composer OF polkas as
did Strauss In the composition Of waltzes. He