National Republican., 1886-12-24
War in Europe.

Everything indicates that before the ides
OF March the nations of Europe will be en-
gagged in the grandest struggle the world
ever saw.
Germany Is Increasing her armies and re.
enforcing the commands upon the French
border. France has for years been doing
the same thing; Russia is concentrating
immense forces upon its southwestern
border; Italy is stralning every nerve to
render its forces more potent; Austria is
ready to move at a moments warning
Turkey is fortifying and arming; Spain has
Just voted forty.nve million dollars to in
crease Its navy; England speaks out boldly
as to its Intentions.
Arms OF the latest and best fashion are
being manufactured in every factory in
Europe, running day and night.
There are reasons that may possibly
avert war, and It may be that these very
reasons will precipitate II. Nlhlllsm
threatens Russia. Socialism Is a constant
menace to Germany. Anarchists frighten
France. Ireland hampers England. Its
incongruous elements Of population dis.
turb Austria, while the church and the
memory of Garibaldi both make Italy un-
easy.
Europe is avolcano with the lava heated
almost to the point Of eruption. Perhaps
the rulers Of the three great central gov
ernments desire war to prevent revolution
lesser evil to prevent a greater one to
them.
In the event Of war, all Russians would
IN 20 hat fA tool, -
garian, German, Pole, and Zech would rally
under the banner bearing the double.
headed eagle Of Austria. Germany would
blaze with enthusiasm II "the fatherland"
were threatened. Frarce would become a
camp Of brothers singing the "Marseillaise"
if"revenge" were inscribed n their banners.
The national pride Of even the oppressed
Irish would cause them TO forget their
wrongs for time II the blood.red bars and
cross Of st. George were flung abroad for
them to follow on great battle fields.
"After me, the deluge," said Louis XIV,
and 1t came, and II may be that the rulers
Of Europe have taken counsel from their
fears and intend to save the present at the
cost Of the future.
| 1t looks very much like war now. Should
1t come II means period OF the most unex-
ampled prosperity this country ever saw.
thousand million dollars is very small
estimate of the amount that in six months
would seek investment In American securi.
ties and American enterprises. New rail-
roads, new manufactures, new towns and
cities would be built up almost as rapidly
as Aladdin's palace. And the money thus
invested would come to stay, for the people
who own 1t would soon follow IT,
Europe looked on In W onderment wher
the American volcano was in eruption
They have seen its fierce fires burn out and
the ashes and blood act as fertilizers tc
strengthen the great republic, making 1t tht
richest and most invlncible nation of the
world. They see its immense war deb
paid within a generation, and the natior
troubled only how to dispose of the sur
plus.
Hence, when the European volcano bursts
as 1t soon will, either In war or revolution,
each alike destructive of property, the peo-
pie Of Europe will turn to America as
harbor of refuge, where they will be safe
alike from the tyranny of kingly wars, OF
the worse and more relentless tyranny OF
anarchy.