, 1880-01-18

serious trouble between Germany and Aus
tria and Russia is by no means improbable.
4 few days since the Cologne Gazeue, refer
ring to the kindly feeling OF Germany for
France, which had been expressed by the
German Minister at Paris to n. de Freycinet,
warned the French that this feeling would
exist only so long as they entered into no en-
tangling alliance with Russia, and kept then-
selves entirely aloof from whatever quarrel
might arise between Berlin and St. Peters
burg. The Frend will probably pursue the
course they have at present marked out for
themselves, regardless Of this advice. They
will, no doubt, continue to devote their en-
ergies to the improvement Of their own do
nestle interests, and not permit their desire
for revenge to interfere with OF delay the de-
velopment Of their prosperity. The Cologne
Guzcne is known as one of Prince Bfsmarck's
organs Its statements regarding the Ger
man Government have in most cases proved
reliable. Its advice heretofore to the French,
although without Importance so far IS they
are concerned, may be regarded as showing
that trouble with Russia is foreseen at Ber-
lin, and its probability being seriously con
sidered by Bismarck. Besides the statements
Of the Cologne GGzcHe, information has been
received from Berlin that Germany and Aus
tria are about to demand explanations from
Russia regarding her unusual concentration
OF troops in Poland, and the statement is
made that, if her reply is unsatisfactory, Ger
many and Austria will at once adopt de-
fensivc measures.
The news reaches US from KJnigsburg, the
extreme eastern fortress of Prussia, that
Russia has secretly and very recently in
creased her force in Poland to such an extent
that more than half her army is now sta
toned in that country,-that she is rapidly
strengthening ndarming her rfor6esses along
the line of the P1ussion and Austrian 'front.'
iers, and that her accumulation Of warlike
material In Poland has been within a few
months unprecedented and gigantic. It is
known that her arsenals for some time have
worked day and night; that she has in store
more than three million rifles; and that, with
in year, she has fabricated two thousand
five hundred cannon of the most approved
pattern. AS IN additional indication that
war is liable to occur, its probabilities are
freely and openly discussed by the officers Of
the German and Austrian, as we'll as of the
Russian, armies. This would not be permit
ted if their Governments were not willing
and ready for its commencement.
Those who hare studied Bismarck's career
and policy cannot be surprised that war be-
tween Germany and Russia Should be liable
to occur at any time. Russia is as yet the
only powerful neighbor who has not paid
tithes to German power as directed by his
capacity. By war with Austria he practical
~ annexed Germany to Prussia, and stripped
Austria Of all power to retaliate. BY war
with France he defeated and humbled her
power and annexed dAlsace-Lorraine to Ger
many. In each case his methods have been
similar. In the Austrian war he was assisted
By Italy. In the French wal, Russia, through
his diplomacy, prevented Austria from assist
ing France. In the Russo Turkish war there
can be no doubt that he did all in his power
to bring 1t on, and that on. its completion the
Russians we're, deprived of the results they
had obtained mainly through his instru-
mentality. Russia alone, OF all the neighbors
which he had cause to fear, has as yet con-
tributed nothing to the greatness. Of Father
land. She only is as yet able to oppose his
will, and her turn, if Bismarck lives, is prob
ably near. The EmpeIors of Germany and
Russia, uncle and nephew though they are,
personal friends though they may be, may
meet and utter personal and peaceful assur-
ances to each other; but this man of tblood
and iron," J" il living, will none the less succeed
in carrying out his policy for the aggrandize-
ment Of Germany.
An examination of the map Of Germany
-. .-AE IT,.
with Russia has been constantly kept in
view. From K6nigsburg, Dantzic, Posen,
and Breslau, which are the German fortresses
nearest the frontier, railroads have been
built to the Russian line, In each case, like