Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-10-28

who is consumed by q boundless am.
bition and an overwhelming estimate
ofhis power. Russia, as represented by
this inexperienced, unrestrained and
dangerous young man, allows no
tresty to stand in its WAY, and it's dip.
lomacy is peculiar. The Turk is diff.
cult enough. He is suave and supple,
courteous and yielding in his mode OF
discussion, but with everlasting faith
IN the eternal tomorrow. What is
not done he believes may never be
done, consequently duplicity and pro-
crastination are his weapons. But
Russia, when found out doing some
thing wrong, receives protest or oppo-
sition suIlenly. 1t may negotiate in an
insolent way, but it don't stop. 1t
goes on with its aggressive work as il
nothing had happened Look at her
recent contemptuous treatment OF
England in regard to Batoum.
The claim OF England as a first
class power is very generally ques-
toned in influential circles. Her in.
ability to compete with the continent.
al powers in marching armies, the de-
termination of the tories to throttle
Ireland, which will give them as much
ashley can do, and her recognized dip.
lomatic method OF buster and back
ont, all conspire to lower her crest.
The Cologne Gazette said the other
day: But who speak, nowadays on
such questions OF England. Tie people
OF Europe are now agreed that En-
gland need not be taken into higher
political account than Holland. ;"
Mr.. Sweeney dwelt at length upon
the relations between Germany, Aus
tria and Russia, ssying that Emperor
William had restrained Russia and
preserved the peace OF Europe But
he is growing very old and must soon
pass away, with Bismarck, and when
they are gone the hot-headed and am
bilious car will no longer be held in
restraint. The desire for revenge on
Germany is strong IN France, and
she would find a natural ally in Rus
STA. An effort has been made to form
such an alliance, but Bismarck has
thus far frustrated the design. That
the league will be mads is beyond
question. 1t is significant fact that
Russia gives to France the construc-
ton of all her war material outside of
her own country. There are now
being constructed, near Toulon, ten
men of-war for Russia at an expense
of $4,000, 000f 1t will be noticed
that the car was not a direct party
to the recent meeting of the emperors
at Gastein. He evidently prefers TO
maintain q disenga.,ed position of
menace. The forced abdication of
Prince Alexander of Bulgaria is due TO
the determination OF Bismarck to as
sent TO anything demanded by the
car in his present attempts to pre-
vent the French alliance, but no one
can foretell what dangerous complica-
tons may arise from this.
''Segur says, Peace is the dream of
the wise, but war is the history OF
mankind Now, let ls glance for a
moment at the extent of the martial
preparations existing in Europe, and
it should aforementioned in this con-
nection that Bismarck has recently
said, in justification of Germany's ac-
tivity. We are at war now, mean
ing, OF course, in the feeling which sur
rounds the questions, but which has
not yet resulted in blows. The law of
the I'd of May, 1874, gives, in effect,
to Germany the power in case OF war
to call for six millions Of various
classes OF soldiers, ard by the DEGREES
of the first OF January, 1874, Russia
can call for fabulous number to raj
ly around her standard-over ten mill
ions-but this would be an imperfect
and excessive estimate. Germany, in
case of war, can dispose OF 3,S7o,o00
men perfectly instructed, Russia
100000 equally well prepared,
and Austria Hungary about 1,500,-
600, with large eventualities. Italy
can place in the field an equal number
place in the field, in thirty days, an
army of 100000 men thoroughly
equipped. ready to fight, and knowing
how to fight, and she is regarded as
having, at this time, the best artillery
armament of any power in Europe.
This is the point, it will be remember
ed. in which she was specially weak in
the late war. What enormous prepa-
rations for gigantic combat 1t is a
spectacle which arrests with the deep
est interest the attention OF the
world"
Mr. Sweeny thinks that in the event
OF hostilities between the United
States and Great Britain We would be
a poor match for England so far as
naval strength is concerned. England
to-day is the most powerful nation in
the world on the high seas. She pos
sesses twenty turret ships completed
and sixty more in progress, with a to-
tai displacement OF 10000 tons,
varying from 5000 to 10000 tons
and in speed from ten to fifteen knots
per hour.
"Her insular position and extent OF
coast line to defend, the vast dmen-
sions other empire, the fact that she
needs her food from abroad and the
greatness OF her maritime commerce
more than fifty per cent. ofthe tonnage
of the world sails the British
fiag-all combine to make it a
matter of self-preservation that she
should have a naval armament SUI
perior to that of any possible adver-
sary. She is well provided in this re-
spect. France ranks next to England
as a maritime power"
A Lass, A. Lass!