New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-19

q sicl, Man, Russia would rather see England
IN nosses,ion of the Bosphorus. Yet the Ger
man policy tends in that direction, and although
the Imperial families Of Russia and Germany
or rather their heads, are perhaps too friendly
TO consent to rupture at present, the death Oh
Emperor William, which may occur at any time'
IL liable to cause an Ominous change Ill the
character of these relations.
Russia. therefore, is always possible enemy
for Germany. and for the same reason always
nossible ally of France. And because the fear
of Joint attack from these great Powers cannot
be dismissed. Germany has been ccmenting as
many fresh alliances rs possible OF late. she
has taken pains to obtain the goodwill OF
italy having. as seems probable on prtna tdc'e
evidence. prepared the way by helping to
foment discord between Italy and France
onronos of the Tuns question. In this case, as
in the episode of Alfonso the folly OF the frehCh
Radicals played into the hands OF BismaIck'
He is now striking the Spanish iron wmie
il il hot. and he will thus have secured az least
the neutrality, and perhaps the active alliance
of Spain and Italy. 1t is true That the interests
of neither of these nations are such as 10 just
ifv them in exposing themselves to the FISK Oh
war with France. Italy certainly has no Dusi-
moss in a federation which includes Austria.
She no doubt lusts after Nice and Savoy, but
there can be little doubt that she Is better Wlth-
ont them, and that they are more fifty situated
as they are than as they were. But all these
alliances, correlated as they are with lhccSsah'
military and naval preparations, do not promise
or suggest continued peace. History teaches
that no State can maintain great almamcnts
long without employing Them Ill war. Ter
many. France, Austria, Russia, Italy, are all
armed to the teeth to-day, and all have grey
orccs the one against the other In the midst
of them lies that Apple of Discord, tho Eastern
Question, and it is not an cxaggeration to say
that Germany, Austria or Russia can at any
time precipiate war i'll forty -elght hours Dy
decided move toward Constantnople.
The supposiiOn that Great Britain can avon"
enhancement in the threatened complications
on the Continent of Europe Is chlmercal. Inc
Egyptian question alone Is sufficiently
dangerous embarrassment, nor can It's dangers
I've obviatcd, though they may be increased Oy
the withdrawal of the British forces from Cairo
and Alexandria. And it can never be forgotten
that England is an Asiatic as well as Euro
mean Power. Her empire i'll India renders her
sensitive to every Oriental movement. IL
makes the Eastern Question II burning one Tor
her II must force her to instant activity
should any change in the possession of Con-tan-
tinoplc he attempted. The Sucz Canal, again,
may bring her into difficulties with France. No
English Government can permit any foreign
Power To mOn0pOliZc transportation route
four-ffth, Of whose commerce Is British. Inc
evacuation of Egypt, therefore, cannot settle
ANYTHING unless it be- the question OF Mr.. Glad
stones good faith. The situation l. such that
England can no more free herself from relations
with Egypt than she can from relations with
India.
All these considerations show how futile Is
the notion that any present professions oi peace
on the part of European Powers are Trust
worthy. The real truth is that the political at
mo>phcrc of the Old World is surchaggcd with
electricity, and no thoughtful observer can
doubt that Il heavy storm will break there III
the near future. Mr.. Gladstone ~ /, very well
known. is statesman who loves peace and
hates war. He dctcslS and abhor- it 80 pro-
foundly that many of hi, Couutrymcn doubt
whether lac would bc Il trustworthy ruler should
the honor of England be- a>sacd But however
much he may be persuaded that true states
mau,hip demand, the maintenance of peace, II
is apparcnt that events are moving toward wal
in Europe with a momentum which must over
come all resistance, aud it i equally clear that
from participation in such Il war ~ l. most
likely to occur England can hardly bc saved
even by the exhibition of greater power, than
the venerable Premier Possesses.