The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-01-07
WHAT n GOING on IN EUROPE.

ICuCts vi tuo Wook anu nave VIT6Uuy Dccu Iully
discussed. After Gambetta's death most
Frcnchmcn who really wish well to tho repub
lie believed that Gen. Chanzy was the best and
safest man in France. He was . moderate re-
publican. consequently far removed from the
school OF Clemenceau. and was the soldier to
whom France was bound to turn in case OF war.
That two men like Chanzy and 0ambetta
should be cut on within week would seem To
be an irreparable disaster. II. however. this
catastrophe should teach tho French nation to
put their faith In principles instead Of III mon.
tho lesson would be useful one.
At the present moment tho financial condi-
ton Of European countries is large factor In
directing their policy. There Is hardly a coun-
try In which tho Governments policy Is not
hampcred by the budget. In France there has
been for some years what may be called o
spirited colonial policy. The war in Tunis, the
trouble in TonQuin which threatens to involve
her In a war with China. the affair in NADIA
gxscar. are all the outcome Of this policy. But
tho finances have been very badly managed.
Too much money has be IN spent upon public
works: too much upon the development Of her
resources. 1t Is this very development OF
Frances resources which has suggested her
colonial policy, for sho Is seeking foreign
markets for her products. or course. her credit
Is so high that she could raise enormous loans
without running her future; but this would
hardly DO wise. and the protest Of NJ. Leon Say
Is the best proof that economy is needed In the
management OF French finances.
Germany is also cramped by the state OF the
finances. Last week 1t was pointed out In
these columns that Germany Is 80 poor that all
attempts to raise money for the sufferers from
the floods have proved futile. Tho empire
is largely dependent for its revenue upon the
th,,kt ~ th.,0 tota This
gives the confcderated States more power than
Prince Bismarck likes and one of his main OBJ
jects has been to mako the empire more inde-
pendent. Just now lie is trying to arrange so
that tho budget shall only be- voted every two
years. OF course. should any war break out.
these minor differences would not stand in the
way OF the necessary financial arrangements.
but now they are playing no small part In the
home policy OF the great Chancellor.
In Austria things are still worse. The en-
pire has no Independent revenue. and both
Austria and Hungary arc In the un pleasant po-
sition OF being unable to meet their obligations.
Every year they are compelled to borrow money
to defray their expenditure. and this state OF
affairs keeps the Hapsburg monarchy quiet.
There can be no question but that ordinary
prudence would suggest the construction OF
fortresses and strategic railways on the Rus
| her doing so.
| In Russia the financial condition Is even
worse. Tho great expenditure in the war with
| Turkey has enormously increased her debt and
| the taxation OF the people. Besides. the bad
| seasons have caused general distress. In west
| ern Europe great is the distrust OF Russian
policy that it is impossible to raise the money
necessary to consolidate the debt and restore
| order in Russian finances.
Thus it would soem that tho best guarantee
for the peace Of Europe is to be found not in
the incinations Of soveregns or statesmen
but In the emptiness OF their purses.
The Communication OF Alsace and Lor.
| raine goes on ut q rapid pace. The German
| authorities leave no stone unt,irned In the work
OF destroying everything Fronch. Even the
sermons in the churches at Metz are now de-
livered in German and the French population
has not made the slightest protest. The fac
is that the French OF Alsace and Lorraine arc
thoroughly Inundated. They bow before theil
conQuorors like slaves. The wealthy propri
etors who can afford to leave. have gonc to Pa
ris or elsewhere. often even neglecting to 10
| or sell their houses or lands. The peasantrI
| are perfectly callous Their spirit seems t
have disappeared altogether and. As Lor
rainer remarked to the correspondent OF al
English newspaper. they don't care so long a
they can get good price for their crops 1t Is al
the same to them whether the money ID In franc
or marks. Meantime near the frontier the youni
hpeople are sent to Nancy and other Frencl
7 towns to school, and few return to their birth
places. The French Government itself Is indi
rectly aiding the work. 1t has prohibited tn
publication of the map OF France with Asac
and Lorraine attached marked with blaze
tint. The language frontier which was one
| for 70 Tho nat nj NefZ En3 nOyed m nidly west
ward. In Metz French Is still much spoken
but German is the official language. and tn
names Of the streets. for instance. where the
remain posted UP in French are dirty an
dingy while where they have been translate
into German they are bright and coar In whit
and blue enamel. Metz is most dismal towI
although there are no less than $4,000 troop
quartered there. At first these soldiers ha
double pay. and the shopkeepers profile
thereby; but'this increased pay has been dis
continued. and the Germans have their ow
messes and casinos supplied from German!
In tho fortress itself every precaution IL take
that the misfortune which befell Bazaine sha
not overtake tho victors. Tho supplies Of pro
visions are calculated for siege OF severI
months duration. and the more pershable o.
ticles are constantly renewed. Noar the frontit
the state Of armed neutrality which really @,
} lists between the two nations is everywhere al
} parent. At all the railway stations IN
} bridges In addition to tho Custom House of
cial. there are strong military detachment
The French arc by NO means behindhand. an
1t Is said that the millions OF francs the loss
, which could not be accounted for wore real
spent upon Notifications not specified in IL
plans OF tho Minister Of War.
;. There is some doubt as to the exact date
the birth OF Rabelas.. the famous French wi
Z. 1t has. however. been decided to Celebrate Il
:. fourth centenary Of that event this year. an
great preparations are under way. Rabela
y was born ut Chinon. in the province OF Tol
0 raine, probably In the year l4S3. His fath'
: was an arothccary in that little town. and Il
q satirlst was educated in convent OF Franci
can frars in Potion. His strong love OF lite
o AZURE led him to outstrip the bounds OF what
that time was considered u proper amount
I knowledge for u monk. His learning SOC
n made him an object OF jealousy with his feo
monks. and he obtained permission from Poi
: Clement VII. to leave the order OF st. Franc
d and take the habit Of Benedictne monk.