The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-11-23
The Eastern War Cloud.

lion having delivered himself Of most
stentorious and free-shaking roar Of def
ance, listens now for the echoing an
swers which shall tell him he is not
alone in his desire to brave the Russian
bear. Thus far one only hears the yelp-
ing Of the jackals, eager to follow at a
safe distance and snatch up what the
lion leaves Of the spoils. The bigger
beasts compliment him on the splendid
volume Of his voice and the clearness of
his challenging note, but there is no
sign Of that spontaneous rushing to aid
him in the fray which was expected on
their part, and the lion has no idea of
fighting alone.
The truth is that Austria is afraid.
The polyglot character Of her dual mon
archy is not more marked than the mix
ture of heroic aspirations and craven ap-
prehensions which paralyzes Austrian
action. The Emperor is a disappointed,
melancholy man. He dreamed in his
youth that he was to be a second Cesar,
restoring and augmenting the ancient
glories of the Hapsburgs, and finds him
self instead q humiliated deputy Of Bis
marck, forced to pocket alike warnings
FROM Berlin, sneers from Pesth, and
bullying insults from St. Petersburg,
and to pretend that he likes them ALL
Vienna talks even more of the new
pamphlet declaring the Austrian army
worthless than of Kalnoky's buttery
evasions Of the point at issue. All the
reports can get affirm that the army is
in wretched state despite Bylandts
official assertion that it can be mobilized
now in less than half the time it would
have taken decade ago. Six weeks
ago q journalistic friend Of mine, war
correspondent Of repute, was asked by
the editor Of London daily to write
two articles on the state Of the Austrian
army. The first has appeared and tho
second has been suppressed at the re-
quest Of the Austrian minister here be-
cause the showing is so bad and salts
factory denials are impossible. Still it
compelled to fight willy-nilly, bat it is
clear that she will do all she can to
avoid it.
l hear from Berlin that it is believed
there that the Gear, while giving Ger
many and Austria certain conditional as
surances, intends taking steps to force
England into the position Of principal
in duel with Russia. No doubt Lord
Salisbury's outspoken words afford abun-
dant opportunity for this. There are
rumors here in diplomatic circles, which
have already become open reports in
continental capitals, that de Staal called
on Lord Iddesleigh on Wednesday, i'm.
mediately after the Guild Hall speech,
and expressed formal disapproval Of it
as discourteous and hostile. He then
added his personal characteristics of it,
which moved Lord Iddesleigh to hot
retort, and sharp words were exchanged.
1t would not he surprising if the result
was that the Russian minister is recalled
on an indefinite leave Of absence, just
as the Gear recalled Mohrenheim from
Paris when he wished to manifest dis
pleasure. with the French Republic.
France was in too great terror of COM
plete isolation to openly resent the
treatment. but England would not be
withheld by such consideration from
answering this indignity in kind with
interest. If the Gear is 80 minded he
can find it very easy matter to provoke
England in her present temper into =
single handed combat. If he can be
sure that it will remain single-handed
the temptation to do this will be very
great, but the balance of probabilities
still favnr England's finding allies if the
worst comes to the worst.
It is difficult to recognize the fact.
that Bismarck's organ has veered around
to abuse Of Russia and threatens that her
insolent career in the Balkans will be
checked if she goes further, with the
reported accession of confidence on the
Berlin Bourse that peace will be main
tanned. Bismarck's friendship, genuine
or otherwise, has heretofore been Rus
sia's sheet anchor. If he now throws
of tie mask it will seem to be clear
that Russia must either back down or
fight. If there were likelihood Of the
]. former the confidence Of the Bourse