Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-08-29
FRANCE AND EUROPE

~ 'H'AA $780, - $3.50 'hF
is arousing some anxiety in Europe. Its
efforts for liberty ever since 1890 won for
it sympathy from the liberals of Europe.
1t has got the republic il stroye for, but
instead of setting about the work Of il
Illustrating by devotion to peaceful pur-
suits and respect for the liberties of other
peoples, it is aiming 10 dominate weaker
powers than itself, and by i~nexcusable in
%yasiOns to deprive them Of independence.
1t is thus setting as bad an example of
respect for the rights and liberties of
others as any monarchy of Europe has
done. As in its first revolution, France
fails to see that to make its own liberties
secure it must respect the liberties of
others. 1t first attacked Tunis and was
so unfortunate as to gain an easy victory,
gained, however, at the expense of pro-
noting the enmity Of Italy that ma yet
prove a danger to it. Emboldened by its
unlucky success, it started an expedition
to take possession of territory upon the
Congo, in Africa, and also invaded NADIA
gascar and Tonquin. In all these agrees
sions the mere lust of conquest is the i'm
pelling cause-a bad feature to be de-
veloped by a young republic. Should
France succeed in keeping out OF other
difficulties, she will probably prove sue
cessful in all these enterprises. What
can such countries do against the power
of modern artillery and the skill and dis
cipline Of modern armies? The case of
Madagascar, a country Rapidly adopting
the Christian religion and the customs of
civilization, excites special sympathy for
a | people unjustly and wantonly invaded.
In TOnquin the French have a trouble
some task ON hand, and if China should,
in the end, openly take the part of Anam,
which is not impossible, France may find
its chance of conquest too expensive to
be profitable. Should France succeed in
these enterprises, will her desire for con
quest cease? That is hardly to be ex-
pected. The aggressions of France under
its BOnapartes leave no such hope.
But can France be allowed once
more to be a general disturber
of the worlds peace? As was the case in
the excuses Ofthe first revolution, France
is on the way once more to make the
names Of liberty and republic a stencil
in the ~nostrils of all Europe, giving the
monarchists and aristocrats just the ex-
cuse they want for continuing their power
and perpetuating their opposition to the
worlds progress. France, by her unscru-
pulous course, is turning the countries of
Europe against her, while the very fact
Of her being a republic secures her the
hatred of the governing classes, which
should have been a warning to her to OBJ
tain the good will of the masses in Eu-
rope, who are striving to curb aristocratic
power and destroy despOtism and tyranny.
France, by its insane and reckless course,
has isolated itself in Europe. 1t has no
allies and no friends. 1t has alienated
England by its proceedings in Madagas-
car, where the relations of England were
most friendly and beneficial. Spain en-
t~ertains bitter feelings toward France,
and is said to be invoking the aid of
Germany against it. Probability is given
to this by the fact that the King of Spain
is about to visit the German Emperor,
and the other fact that the newspaper
that is Bismarck organ, the North Ger
man Gazette, has just spoken of France
as the disturber of Europe and as a coun-
try that nobody outside of France be-
lieves when its press declares that France
desires peace. So harsh was the attack
that the London Times speaks of it as a
gross and deliberate insult-language cal
culated to wound and humiliate France
an outrage upon decency and courtesy.
Yet France must endure this cOntume-
lious Overbearing of its mortal enemy.
1t has so many irons in the fire" that it
cannot resent the insult. 1t has SO
shackled itself in its lust for conquest
that its enemy finds it bound and
helpless in his hands, so hat he can vaunt
at his ease. All Bismarck's powers OF
diplomacy could never have brought
France into the humiliating position be-
fore him she has made for herself. Ii
is not pleasant to France to find
that, in addition to the applica-
ton Germany is receiving from
Spain, Germany has the qualification OF
having the Prince of Wales accept its
invitation to witness the coming German
army reviews, when the military strength
of the empire will be exhibited, a fact
that shows the friendliness of Germany
and England. 1t also sees England dis
trusts it so much that it will not PERMIT
a tunnel to be u under the sea between
the two countries. So much has France
provoked instead of conciliated its neigh
bors north and east, that a French jour,
nal is actually calling upon France to
seek the friendship of Russia. Imagine
the great European despotism and the
great European republic in alliance
The very thought should show how far il
is erring. Spain, Italy, Austria and Ger
many all inimical, and the friendship Of
England cooled. France is paying dear
for its petty and dishonorable ~cOnquests
The French laugh at the i'll feeling they
are arousing in China, but, in addition tc
the rest, even China may prove an enemy
too much. How far diplomacy may sue
coed in smoothing down all these discor-
dant elements remains to be seen, but il
is evident that matters in Europe are not
entirely peaceful, and that if an outbreak
occurs France is likely to be the victim.