New-York tribune., 1885-02-16
A GLOOMY OUTLOOK.
chief.

There are indications that France may think
tbo time onnortune for TAX ing advantage of Eng
lands difficulties, and may endeavOr 10 coerco
her in regard to Egyptian finance, as Kussia uiu
during the Franco German war in regard 10 the
Rlack Sea treaty. Though there can be no
doubt rs to the readiness of the British Nation
when thoroughly reused, TO "face world id
arms.r the advance of modern military science
has rendered mere pluck of little Importance
unless il is reinforced by strong battalions ana
artillery England. like the United States Is
dangerously inclined to neglect preparation
until some menacing danger Is upon her' a.
this moment the strain of meeting the SOudah
exigency threatens to absorb all hcr ni'i'a'y
power. Already 1t is proposed to call out 'ne
volunteers for garrison and depot duty, ana IL
such step is necessary, 1t can only mean t''a,
the army not employed in India and lreiaho
will be all required for the Soudan. 1t Is also
obvious that the SOudan operations may at any
time take a turn making necessary the rem
f,rcement of the Indian army, and any such de-
m,nd must come upon virtually empty depots.
While the country's military power Is thus
locked up in a distant and hazardous enterprise
the most prosperous issue OF which can Only
bring sentimental return, while disaster III IL
NAV mean the collapse OF the Indian Empire
her relations with her most formidable neigh-
bors are such that she can expect no help from
Them but on the contrary, has serious reason 10
apprehend hostile action.
Germany has for some time been almost
openly uniriendly to England. France is evi-
IDENTITY encouraged by Bismarck to enlarge her
demands at this critical juncture. Italy alone
: frianJaIin but thnuO the
sea an Italian alliance is well worth having her
poverty must prevent her from seriously shar-
ing the burden of land operations, unless her
ally is willing to pay the bills. These external
difficulties would alone suffice to test the most
profound craftsmanship, but they are compll-
Gated by internal troubles scarcely less cmbar-
rassng. In a period of 'ong-contnued agri-
cultural and commercial depression great
political revolution has occurred. The ex-
tension of the franchise has not only brought
into mower n new and untricd voting element,
il has not only made the country more Demo
cratic but it has forced into prominence social
programme which includes measures OF the
most ultra radical character.
Ii is indeed possible that domestic distress
NAV make it easier to fill the ranks OF the army,
but il is scarcely possible that the pressure from
without and the pressure from within occurring
together will not render the work of govern
ment almost unprccedehtedly difficult. and this
gloomy situation is Lot lightened by the conSid-
erai ion that Mr.. Gladstone, even II still trusted
must be approaching tho inevitable end of his
career, and that no man has yet appeared. In
either party, capable of taking his place at the
helm of State. The hour may bring the man. as
il has done heretofore, but thus farthcrc Is M
indication of the advent of any vcn-borr
English statesman, though there never wa:
greater need for such guide and leader than
| to-day.