Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-09-02

DOES III hEAn WAB
The signs Of the times indicate the
approach Of another crisis In the history
Of France. Though the recent remark
able ~utterance in the official organ ofthe
German Chancellor may have been
nothing more than the unweighed ex-
preston off petulance with no serious
Intention behind II, such is not its most
natural explanation. That it was in
spired by Prince BISMARCK there Ia no
room to doubt, and the man OF blood
and iron IL not accustomed to waste his
breath or to speak without being ready
TO suit the action to the word. The ex-
traordinary article in the North German
Gazette, whose importance has been at
tested by the discussion it has provoked,
was unmiStakably a threat, and the fact
that there is so little tojustify it renders
it all the more omInously significant.
II the conduct of the French had been
such as to warrant the menace which
has been given, there would have been
less occasion for alarm, for in that case
it would have had an Ineligible motive
consistent with a desire for the preserv-
alton of pace.
AS it is, the circumstances are such as
to exclude that hypothesis, and the
threat to be understood must be con-
strued as a deliberate provocation. If
BISMARCK had made up his mind to
pick a quarrel with France, he could
have pursued no course better adapted
to serve his purpose, and 1t therefore
becomes important to consider how far
the existing political conditions in
Europe are cOnsonant with that inten-
ton. Assuming, as there is every rea-
son 10 assume, that BISMARCK has de-
termined to force 4 wal upon France as
soon as the opportunity should serve,
what grounds are there for accrediting
him with the opinion that the time has
come? This is the question which the
student of the situation must consider,
and we think it will appear upon a sur
vey of the field that such grounds are
not wanting. II is understood that the
isolation of france has been for some
years past the end and aim OF Bis
MARCE'S international policy. Such
certainly must have been his desire,
and partly through the shrewdness OF
his diplomacy, partly through the in
capacity o! the little men Ivy whom
French affairs have been administered
for the last three or four years, this de-
sire has been fully accomplished.
With the possible exception Of Rus
sia, there is not a nation III Europe upon
whose alliance France could cnunt.
Her ISOLATION is complete. Even the
platonic friendship Of Great Britain has
been FILTERED away, While i'll Italy a
feeling has been provoked which is more
active ami dangerous than shat of an
unfriendlv Indifference. In this re-
spect, therefore, the Chanc"ll0E's pro-
gramme has been carried out. Then,
sgaln, the Republic has with an NEON
prehensible fttulty embarked in enter
prises abroad by which, in the event of
domestic trouble, she would be heavily
handicapped, aud we may be sure it was
not q mere coincidence that the news
paper threat was made almost stimuli.
taneously with the opening of the cam
paign in the Fast. There are yet other
reasons why BISMARCK should regard
the moment as ausyiciouS 10 his de-
signs. The French finances have oflate
been allowed to tall into disorder, ana
finance is the one point upon which the
Republic is superior. Aid to all this
that Germany has Il vast army which
has been brought to the pitch Of perfec-
ton. but which she cannot indefinitely
sustain, aad the outlook is gloomy
enough.