Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-05
SATURDAY. JULY 3, 1884
European Complications.

European Complications.
The wsr-wise are predicting that another
war cloud will soon burst In Europe.
Whether they prove true prophets or not
certain II is that European matters are IN
decided tangle just st present, and
that foreign statesmen arc looking for
ward with intense interest 30 tho
results OF the Egyptian conference.
While that conference has brought
England and France together, those two
Powers have TO encountera formidable OPP
position headed by BISMARCK, and there Is
no telling what concessions msy be de-
handed Of them by Central Europe. On
the granting on the refusal to make those
concessions may depend, it Is asserted, the
peace Of Europe.
TO understand the situation we must 60
back little. From the Crmean war 10 tho
treaty Of Berlin the Eastern question
turned al Jon the struggle between the
West OF Europe and Eastern Europe, Is
represented by England and France on the
one hand, and Russia on the other. In
that struggle was involved the fate
Of Turkey. Until the contamination OF
"the league Of the two Emperors." to
which Italy subsequently, gave adhesion,
Central Europe, as represented by Gerna-
ny and Austria, was ia no condition to ex-
crcise a commanding influence in deter
mining the issue. Both Powers had their
hands full. Germany especially had more
important question to occupy her. 1t Is
true that Austria had twice been factor
in checking Russian advance, but it was
only when she had been permitted
to post herself on the Balkans, aud
when the German Empire had become an
accomplished feet. that it could be said
that Central Europe was 10 position
10 dictate In the matter Of the, Eastern
question.
Since the Austro.Germsn alliance, or IA.
fber since the triple alliance. for Italy is now
apower in determining any European ques-
ton. Russia has turned her attention TO
Central Asia and the country east OF the
Black sea. She is steadily bearing down
upon Persia and the Indian border, and
already her influence IL paramount at
Tehersn. That she means mischief, and
that England recognizes the fact. is
very evident from the protests against
her movements which have recently
appeared IN the English papers, as well ss
from the call for mixed Russian and Eng
llsh commission to consider the question OF
Russian advance from Merv. From this it
will be seen that while England is weak
cned by the necessity Of watching her
Indian border. England and France have
a change OF antagonists, as far as Turkey
Is concerned. They are now confronted
by the allied Powers Of Central Europe.
These Powers are nearer and In some re-
srects more formidable foes. Their inlu-
ence was felt In the Danube-R River Commits
sion, and, rs above intimated, it now
threatens to assert itself IN connection with
the Egyptian conference.
England and France control the Mediter-
rsnesn. and this alone would seem to neces-
state unity between them on the Egyptian
question. But Germany has an eye upon
Holland, for reasons already stated ia these
columns. Austria has never given up the
idea Of securing Salonica, the advantages
Of whose snnextlon' by her are apparent.
and Italy is jealousy watching Tripol and
Morocco. With France almost surrounded
by Gordon OF bsyonets, and practically at
their mercy, and engaged at the same time
in foreign military operations; with
England. crippled in measure by having
TO guard u number OF important points.
and holding as 1t would seem the key to the
Turkish problem, IL IL not impossible that
the three Powers may bring about compli-
cations that will result In new map Of Eu.
rope. The attacks upon the foreign policy
Of Great Britain which recently appeared
In the German press, and which il Is con.
ceded were Inspired by BISMARCK, show
very plainly that there ID very little In
the idea that the family ties that bind
the rulers Of Gelmany and England to-
gether would make It difficult TO bring
about q quarrel between those two coun-
tries. On the contrary, II seems evidsnt
that BIsNARcE would go out OF his way to
provoke quarrel, IL thereby be could con-
summste his own policy. To the present
instance both Of his allies have almost ~
much to gain and a. little TO lose as he has
Iva rupture. whether II result 10 a resort
A. .~,,,a or the forcing Of eoncesSionx for
the sake Of peace.
II may he that the prophets are all
wrong. and that before the conference ad-
ionrns the sky will be all serene agsn.
/. Many blacker cloud has been dissipated
= by diplomacy. There may be. and probs-
bly, are, many contingencies involved In
the conference that have not come to the
surface which are calculated 10 check
mate the Iron Chancellor-th the recog.
nized head Of the opposition-s bring
him 10 terms. Nevertheless. we repest
that European matters are In de-
cided tsngle. The only thing clear so
far is that this tangle enabledi Mr.. GLAD
STONE to gain great victory BY forcing
vote ON the question Of censure, and. show
Ing that as against all other Powers Eng
land Is q unit. This 10 an indication OF
English backbone that at tbs particular
crisis Is significant In more respects than
one.
----.----l
Strong Tickets.