New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-23
THE CONTEMPORARY REVIEW. April

The present number has an article entitled
THE Outlook In Europe" in which the anonymous
writer who former occasion has been mistaken IOr
Mr. Gladstone, maint that the policy OF Bismarck
will lead to war which Will shake the world and per-
haps rearrange the map OF Europe 1t has always been
Bismarck's game, the writer afrms, TO accuse some
oher power of hostile intentions when he is maturing
come of which will be the probable result
After he has made his mind 10 war; is not MS haO
10 wait till bis enemy is ready His first care is to $50
late hts victim and when this Is done he eontrives to
fasten quarrel with his adversary, and put him tech
pcay In che wrong Thus far his diplomatic craft has
been singulary successful He has encountered no brain
that can be compared to his own in pohtcal
shrewdness and audacty. In the opinion OF the writer
Bismarck is at present the one person Win whom
Europe has to reckon. He alone can control or let
loose the tempest and his conduct in the past Is the
best clew to conduct in the future The annexation
of Aisace and Lorraine was intended not 30 much 10
secure strong frontier against France as TO erect aram
part against German Liberalism The army was neccs
sary to prevent social movement But the only pre-
tenee powerful army was the preservation OF the
proyinces When United Germany should murnur
ncanst the crushing weight OF Bismarcks military sys-
tem he could point TO Asace and Lorraine and the re-
solve OF tie French to restore them TO their country
The ooca situation of Europe accordingly is summed
mn as follows The German Empire is exposed 10 two
serious dangers the growing power OF France ana the
rapid development OF Social Democracy. Bismarck mas
the choice Of two He may try to outmanuvre
blow, But this will not be easy. The German Chancel-
or hus at Inst found his match I'm Gambea. The French
statesman likely be cajoled browbeaten uto
any mpfudence. The equal OF Bismarck III pOItlcal
eapacty he has the superior advantage OF youth he
can afford to adopt Fabian policy and so cnn France
She is richer than Germany aud better able to hear the
burden of her military establishment Germany cannot
much longer endure the weigh; OF her huge ornaments
Her peasantry are the most miserable In Europe The
widespread misery OF the country has given powerful
impulse the progress of Socialism It's mas been
cause OF Bismarck fof many years. and its
rapid strides OF late have given him serious ALARM
His policy present s to announce the danger OF Tor
egu war on the part OF Russia IA tho means OF escape
rom internal eonvulson. But, according to the writer
Of this article. revolution Is imminent In KuSsia
N,hilism proper that is the EIhism OF Bakunin and
his disciples has taken root in the soil Of Rufsa It
has always been confined smell oand Of desperad0es
OF sexes and has attracted In the fantest de-
gree the sympathy OF the peasaDtry Nihilsm demands
abolition the State such the exrpation OF re-
eion marriage and OF all hereditary rights the abso
luts qaazaton OF all individuals. The last and great
est object 70 be attained universal destruction and
the restoration Of eha0s 1" II even single old form
ts spared" say tie Hihilsts, " this form
wouid become the embryo from which all
the old forms would DO begotten again.
Russia il the last country In Europe where
such subyersiye doctrines would be likely 10 find o
home. Their naked atheism would be simply shocking
TO the Traditional piety Of the Russian peasant Willie
their ruthless against every form OF social life
makes every class OF society their foe. Bsmarcks pres
ent object prevent French and Russian coalition,
and this end points to the spectre Of Russian Nj
hnism. The writer does not believe that revolution
Imminent In Germany any than in Russia but the
political atmosphere of German society In its lower
strata charged with the OF revolution that
Bismarck is not unlikely to adopt the policy which be
asctibes Russia. namely, occupy the feverish
elements OF society by foreign war;" But whatever
turn affairs might take, the writer concludes that Bis
marcks policy good either to the honor the
Interests OF England"