Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-11-05
Salt Gake Democrat.
THE STATE OF EUROPE.
Warrington DipIOmntist Regards
lt as Exceedingly Critical,

WASHINGTON, October 16.-A member
OF the Diplomatic Corps who has spent
the summer III Europe, and has lust
returned, expresses the following opin-
ION on the European situation: Europe
seems 10 be now resting on powder
magazine, which may be exploded at
any moment. The first Napoleon pre-
dlcted that in one hundred years Europe
would he all Cossack or ali Republican.
IL Is possible that the prediction is on the
eve OF fullillment. Russia is Just now
attracting the attention of the world. Its
gaze is fixed, first upon Bulgaria, next
upon Constantinople. The world knows
how the Muscovite covets Constantine
pie, and that it will risk any effort to get
There. The situation now seems to be
about ripe, and but for the fact that the
great empire OF Europe is being watched
by man-Bismarck-who holds in his
hands the fate OF peace or war, there
would be but little doubt as to what
would happen.
Russia is regarded as Il power that NAV
crush any adversary think that i'm
preston is wrong. Russia would be the
most powerful nation on the face OF the
earth ii able to concentrate her forces.
That she is not able to do Russia, there
fore, cannot attempt to do anything so
long as she finds that Germany and Aus
tria would be opposed to her claims.
Besides, the Car, although hater of the
Germans, venerates his grand uncle, the
German Emperor, and it is believed in
European diplomatic circles that there is
some understanding between the Gear
and Emperor William that nothing shall
hn IOpn lOnn n q tho HAITIAN E,,nc
lar the greatest danger to the peace of
Europe just now is to be found in France,
There an adventurer, whom intelligent
men repudiate, is at the head of affairs.
There General Boulanger, who is in title
Minister Of War, is to-day the power that
moves French politics. He has infamed
public opinion in France to the highest
possible degree. 1t is difficult to believe
that the tension can last much longer.
lie, or his organs for him, cry for revenge
against Germany, but it is possible that
the war for revenge will be avoided.
The chief danger lies in the fact that
Boulanger exists by the grace of the rab-
BILE. The socialistic element in France
has increased in numbers and power to
an extent that is not appreciated outside
of that country. In three years from now
the French people will celebrate the one
hundredth anniversary of the great
French Revolution OF 1889, and unless
Russia strikes before that time, it is
quite likely that France will lead in an
other revolution, which will sweep over
Europe. The war, if started in France,
will not only be war against Germany,
but it will be war for social revolution.
1t may be more bloody than the revolu-
ton of 100 years ago, and it will certainly
spread more rapidly over the rest Of
Europe than the dreaded revolution Of
that time. The whole of Europe is filled
with inflammable political material.
Next to France is Belgium, the home of
the Anarchists. Germany has found it
necessary to proclaim and continue a
state of siege in all her large cities in
order to prevent the Socialistic element
from seriously disturbing the peace.
From Austria we have Just now heard
that Vienna was frightened by Anarch-
lists. We know that the scandinavian
countries are filled with Socialistic ele-
ments which threaten the existence of
their present governments. The Italian
Government has found it necessary tc
adopt measures similar in stringency tc
those OF Germany against revolutionists,
and complication may arise at any
moment in Spain which might result Sc.
riously In Russia, the Nihilists are sup
pressed, but Nihilism still lives. So il
may be said that the whole Continent OF
Europe is ready for political and social
revolution OF the greatest possible
magnitude, The question whether the
Cossack or his opponents shall rule may
depend upon the person who strikes the
first blow. Should Russia be able to
make war upon Austria and Germany at
the same time, the violent elements OF
French politics might insist upon war
OF revenge against Germany. 1t seems
to me probable that war will ultimately
come in all Europe, and in that event
the United States alone will escape the
turmoils which will shake the social
foundations OF Europe. 1t is evident
that the present soclai conditions OF
Europe cannot be maintained. The
conservatism OF the governments makes
reform impossible, and the consequence
is likely TO NE general revolt against
the system OF government and some OF
the present forms OF social order.-SGn
Er1,cjsro Ep9uiDU Past