The Wilmingtonian., 1886-12-18

Naples.
: In.the place OF Napoleon and Massena and
Jourdsn and Ney and soult with Yelling
ton and Blucher and Alexander who will be
the martial leaders of 1887.
Only Boulanger-an untried soldier! En-
gland has not tried her mettle with Euro
pean armies. We cannot say what Wulseley
or Roberts can do sgainst Russian soldiers.
Germany undoubtedly has trained generals |
and engineers. But they are now almost
all nonagenarians.
But the coming continental disturbance |
which promises to uphoave all Europe is not |
at bottom fight to re-maks natona! bounda- |
ries.
The real fight is for martial supremacy in
Europe.
Germany holds that position now. Since
Sedan she has been the martial dictator OF
Europe. The fact gals France to the quick
who cannot forget the glories Of Napoleon
the Great.
"Reyanche" ia cry of the French peo-
pie which though Of definite intent and posi-
lively means that Alsace and Lorraine must
be returned, is only secondary feeling
within the hearts of Frenchmen who burn
to resume their olden position of leaders in
the martial eye of Europe.
Tho coming Armageddon Is racial war,
one of natural repetition of history. 1t bears
within 1t conditions less possible Of being
quencHsrv tran the direct causes whfaR
usually give Iise to wars among nations.
ering for half century. Russia, like tt 9
middle age Tartar clans, its racial predeces-
sor is chatting at the territorial bands that
holds Its myriad Russ and Cossack hordes or
the Southern European lines 1t is ready L
burst in clouds of hrsute Slavs upon the
Balkan and the Ottoman domains. Cou
stsntinople must be swallowed up,
But how is more modern civilization
Western Europe, prepared for these convul
sions.
1t ia now believed that the stou' Germani
Fstherlsnd trembles at the prospect Be
tween the two m: lstones of half miio
trained French soldiers backed by anothe
half million Mobiles of the Reserve, and oy
or million of Muscovte troops, the Teuto
finds himself in a serious position.
Are Bismarck and Moltke ready for sac
frayP
1t is coming of surety, sooner or late
Is Germany's 500, 900 sturdy veterans alb
to Withstand the onslaught of such .errif
blow, of / 500, 900 enemies at one momen
simultaneously the blow will be felt. Fran,
crosses the Rhine, her myriad bayonets al
ehassepots whetaed with bitterest hatred
two decades of contumely aud myrieds
fisncs of CALLING tribute. On her Easte
flank, fated Germany sees 10000 of hat
Cossacks pouring into Slesis and GAllici
Can those old German heroes of Spichere
Gravelotte, Strasbuig and Versailles be
without quailing the biunt Of such pi
ture. There are no stouter So.dier-hearrs
all Europe than those Of the Fathella1
But can they staud such terrific odds
these
At the present crisis il would seem th
accidental diplomatic alliances are unrelial
o. useless For Bismarck, there is nothi
else to be seen along the whole line Of E
ropean alliances Or compacts, but the ,
ones of joining of hands with Austria, I
gland and Italy
Even this could be only a defensive, har
iy an offensive compact. For GeI many mt
hght France and Rnss'a. Engsuds qu
rel with Russia is a territorial one and
former country ib ready with her Eastt
HllldnCes 10 TACKLE Jue AlusSONlbe IN Asa,
defend Constantiuuple " III her feet at
BosphoIus.
The battles Of Germany, France aud Rus
are based npon racial j-alouses 10, mai,
pledominance in European councils
1t is fortunate for Americans that
broad Atlantic rolls its three thousand n,
of waves between our country and the tu
ulency Of European associations.
In our continent fortunately lift rent {
ditious rule. There are no national jealc
les. Now can there be any. Tue Uui
States is be arhiter Of this continent, ant
long as the Union lasts Americans are
from diSasters Of the ature thai make
Upe aseethipg volcano of rucial ds,urbar