The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-05-14
THE EUROPEAN POWERS.

1t is the opinion that Russia, salts
fed Of her military power, will event
ually push conquests in Asia.
Satisfied she could secure the alliance
of one or more of the stronger powers,
she would have no fear of being un-
able 80 maintain her stand against
England, even though Turkey were to
become her enemy. There were once
five great European powers. Down
to the end of the Napoleonic war in
1915, England was one of these great
powers. Their power was
based upon military strength.
but even then the continental powers
regarded with contempt the military
power of England, and respected her
alone as naval and financial pow
er. From then until now the relative
Importance of England as one of the
European powers has continually de-
clined, until at last we have this evil
dence of contempt for it, shown by
Russia and shared in by the 9TH
er co tinental powers, while
England herself acknowledges
lack of power by submitting
to every demand made by Russia. In
stead of five European powers there
are now but four. Russia, France,
Italy and Germany-with standing
armies respectively of 10000 men,
$4,000, 100000 and $4,000, Against
tn ase huge hosts, England has but 22O,-
600, less than half as many as Germany
and Italy, and less than one-third as
many as Russia; and it has
been demonstrated, that to organize
and put into active service an army OF
$4,000 is an undertaking above the
capacity of English commanders OF
to-day, Russia has been doing all
she pleased to do in Asia, and now
understands well enough, that the
Way hereafter do as she pleases
While Russia concentrated a large
military force in one weeks march OF
Herat, the English army, such as il
it is, made up OF Sepoys mostly-Was
more than months march distant
for this important strategic point
Not only was this effective Russian
force close to Herat, but farther NORTH
there were reinforcements, one behint
another, SO located as to strengthen thu
Russian advance before the English
main army could be utilized tt
even check the Russian front. Whil'
the prospect of war has broken dow
all political dissention in Russia
which even Nihilists have become ear
nest supporters of the imperial ide
of conquest, the English Government
: has the opposition of large elements o
, its own people. A very large numbe
are mortified and dissatisfied at tn
ingIorioIs defeat of the Eng
llsh army in Egypt, Will
the Irish openly insult the Crown, an
defy it. The provinces, too, upol
which it is boosted the sun never sets
are not all in the most satisfied MOOD
, Even in India, where it would be nee
. eSsary to establish the base of opera
. lions against Russian invasion @
, Asia, the populations tina
rose in fury against Eng
lish rule, in 1857, are in som
of the provinces seething under tn
4 yoke of English oppression. Wer
5 England to go into war with any @
t the powers, her merchant marin
would be wiped from the bosom. of tn
r oceans, and her maritime power woul
q be gone She dare not go into wa
o and will not do so as long as conces
sions will satisfy the ems
my. After conceding the mas
terry of the So1dan to Ell Mahdl
and submitting to Russian demand
9 it is recognized beyond doubt as
l second class power, and should she b
4 forced into war with one of the gres
powers, she must descend i
f the end even from this secondary pr
ciiinO