The Wilmingtonian., 1886-07-31
SATURDAY JULY 81, 1855.
The European War CIoud.

land) and fortifying Batoum in the Black
Sea, has strongly intensified the feeling of in
scurty among European nations.
Russia has a splendid fleet of powerful
ironclads of the most modern armament and
build Her statesmen have, as their pros
poctive point d'dppui both the entire excu-
sive occupation of the Black Sea and road
through Persia to the Indain ocean or Per.
sian Gulf. Either or both of these ends will
be stoutly striven for in the coming Euro
pean war.
Either, or both of these attempts by Rus
sa would involve war with England.
The English people are not averse to war
at the present moment If may be expected
under a Tory Government with such a live.
ly Russophobist Foreign Secretary as Lord
Randolph Churchill.
Austria will be consoed by Russia, or
bribed into neutrality by the ffer of large
slice of territory from the Danube to the Ae-
gean. Russia, of course has no objection to
offer what is not her own. She, in her mast
erful position of an army of nigh 2,OGO, 900
soldiers and powerful fleet has no moral
hesitation in sacrificing Bulgaria, Roumania
and Roumelia to the Austrains.
But right here Italy steps in, strongly
backed by England.
The two notable, unmistakcablc allies in
any impending Eurpean confiagratiuu are the
two last mentined powers.
Their national aims are in in the same line.
England, satisfied with her present ac1uis
tions upon the Mediterranean aud Southern
European waters fears alone Russian
aggression which would tend to disturb that
tatus. She is not unwilling that second
airy power, such as Italy, with large CONNER
cial claims and strong fleet should occupy
the field with her in opposing Russia. This
feeling was definitely exhibited after the bonn
bardment of Alexandria and the English
campaign ia the Soudon when Italy was in
vited to occupy points on the II d Sea. This
was the most b. llilnt stroke Of diplomacy in
recent English foreign politics. BY it Eng
land gained the gratitude Of The Italian peo.
pie and simultaneously strengthened the op
position to Russia
But another, perhaps the mere imminent.
phase Of European disturbances il the
strained condition of affairs existing between
France and Germany. The French Minister
Of War, General Boulanger, continues his
aggravating attitude towards Germany. lie
almost openly declares for war. For that
reason lie is in high favor with the officers of
the French army.
The French army aud navy is in an admir-
able condition of effectiveness.
Only the other day tie Admhal.in-C Chief
Of the French navy declared that hi, fleet,
armament and men was ready to attack any
European fleet, not excepting even tlat If
England.
The French people are ready for war and
so are many of their political leaders Of the
lesitimist and Napolconic sections, also GER
tain Republicans such as the Minister of
War, General Buulauger.
Germany is prepared for war also That
is her normal condition. The e are nearl,
million Ge'mln s'hiicrs prepared l., b.,
thrown en- mdsse upon the Fimco. German
frontier within a limited number nf days.
Germany has to defend her stolen prov inres
of Alsace and Lorraine against Il French
army and against patiyr population
strongly ant-German. In tliS territory
Germany has erected tremendous fnrtifira-
tons not ouly at prominent points such a.
Metz and Suasburg, but also al almost IN
lmpregnlhlc line of eaithwUrkS, furtIrssts
and river dcfenses along the whole frontier.
All Europe is ready for war and is await
ing the hugle uute either irum the Black
Sea or the Rhine.
AS an appendix tile f,ll lowing list nl the
status of the European and other navics
may be iounu interesting. III il torpedo
and Other classes Of vessel. are nrru.l. il
The list is Il a. given by the chairman Of tho
Naval Cnmm:ttre Of thn IIIuS" quoted ia
his speech on the increase ur TIE Naval Es
tablishmem o. Saturday last
Ensland armored ships ~, uuarmnied
9sii, total :'3f; France armulcd Il, unarmrrcd
26l, total 3IS; Italy, Irmored IA, unarmnr,d
40, total GO; Russia armurcJ 81 nnarm-
ored l5i, total lsJ; Germany, arrnorrd 2G.
unarmored 20, total 9G Spain, armo cl :,
unarmord l31, total l42: Austria, asinnr,d.
IL, marmocd 81, total Al; Holland, armared
%, ~ armored III, total l3s: Denmark
armored q. unarmored -, total 80: Norway,
almored !, unarmured :S. Total 32: Sweden.
arnOred T. uuar nOred i3, total 81: Turkey.
armOre Is, uuarmored 81 total 100; Greece
armpred :, nuArmored 23 total p; Portugal.
armurei |, uuarm ored u, total 2G; Brazil.
dim"rrd II, unalm1rcd %3, t.,tal "a: Arren-
tine Republic, aImored 4, unarmored 20
total 2ii Mexico, armocl :, unnrmorcd 3.
t'tal .; llayt, unli III rel { Chill, rmored
l. unaru 70 e :, total II; China armured 8.
Gnarmorcd iG, total A.; Japan. irmored
unarmnrcd 21, o'al 80.
This list, according to NJ Herbert, com