The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-01-07
The Bearing of Gambetta's Death on
the European Situation.

How important u factor GAMBETrA had be-
come In the political combinations OF other
countries besides his own, is disclosed by the
sensation which his death produces all over
Europe. So far as French Republicans are
concerned. the peace-at-any-price policy
will hereafter encounter no powerful oppo-
nent in the ranks OF their own party. AS the
events Of the last year have proved, GAM
BETA was the only Frenchman Of great
weight and energy who believed that tho
establishment OF the national digni-
ty and influence in Europe was en-
tirely compatible with the consolidation
OF republican institutions. and who declared
that the one object had as high claims as the
other on the devotion OF spirited and far
sighted patriot. He was not one Of those
statesmen who talk complacently OF the tri-
umph Of the industrial over the military
spirit as II the age we live in were an era Of
peace, and as IL the very existence Of every
Continental State did not hinge on the pos
session OF the material forces and the main
tenance Of the resolutc, COURAGEOUS attitude
which go far to avert attack or to bring in
evitable war to successful issue.
One effect OF GAMBETTAs death will be at
once exhibited in the altered treatment OF the
Egyptian difficulty by the British Foreign
Office. The secret OF the reticence and hest
tation hitherto evinced by the GLADSTONE
Ministry in this matter is the unexpected
demand OF the DUcLERc Cabinet for resto-
ration Of the state OF things which existed
in the Nile land before the war. The propo-
sition seems absurd enough when we recall
the origin OF the DUCLERC Ministry, which
owes its being to refusal Of the Chamber OF
Deputies to lift finger for the enforcement
OF the joint control; and not the slightest
attention would have been paid to 1t had
there not been reason to believe that the
French Legislature had changed its mind, and
that, SO far as the Egyptian question was con-
cerned, 1t regretted the failure to carry out
GAMBErrA's policy. In other words, it
was GAMBETTA's demand which gave
Lord GRANVILLE 30 much trouble. This
is plain enough from the difference In the
position taken by the British Foreign Office
within the last few days. Two weeks ago it
was announced that, notwithstanding the re-
lection OF the British proposition by the
French Cabinet, the negotiations would con-
tinuc, and more acceptable offer would be
made. But scarcely is GAMBETrA dead than
GRANVILLE considers the discussion touch
ing the settlement of the Egyptian troubles
closed. as England has no further suggestion
to make, and France may either take or leave
the meagre substitute already offered and
rejected for the place OF coordinate power and
authority which she once occupied in Egypt.
As to the effect OF GAMBErTA's death on
the prospect OF Continental war; diverse and
| even contrary opinions are expressed by
European newspapers But, without paying
much attention to declarations, which are
usually Of little value, expressing, as they
often do not what the writer's think but
what they wish their readers to think, or
are instructed to make them think, we shall
find 1t easy to account for difference OF
Judgment by a difference in the point OF view.
II we assume, as some optimistic observers
do, that republican institutions are impreg-
nably established in France because a
considerable majority OF its legislators
happen to be just now Republicans as
IL the Second Empire had not repeatedly
been ratified by far more overwhelming
majorities OF the popular vote-we must
acknowledge that the chances OF French
participation in European war have not
merely been diminished, but almost extn-
guished, by GAhBErTAs death. The action
Of the majority OF the Chamber OF Deputies
in the Egyptian imbrogio showed that. left
| to themselves and relieved from the potent
stimulus OF GAMBErrA's influence, French
| Republicans will submit To almost any
amount OF sacrifice and humiliation sooner
| than confront the risk OF complications
which by any possibility might place France
In un attitude Of antagonism to Germany
II the republic Is to last. BISMARCK has moth
ing more to fear on the western frontiers OF his
country for the martial aspirations OF France
and the unavowed but fervent hope OF re-
| gaining AsaSs- Lorraine viii bs buried In the