Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-01-13
TIE EUROPEAN WAR CLOUD.

showing of executive clemency."
TIE EUROPEAN VAR CLOUD.
who La the Rf al Ins.igator OF the Trouble
Between us:ris;snd Russia.
Cor. Chicago Inter Ocean.
CHICAGO, Ill, Dec. 5l.-During the
last few days threatening and war-like re-
ports have been received from Europe,
councils Of war have been held, large SUNS
of money granted for military purposes,
and troops are already msssed on the Rus
sian frontiers. But happily mstters are as
yet far from an open state OF hostilities,
nevertheless the situation, ito say the least,
Is serious. Apparently there IS no tangi.
BILE casus belli for R1ssis to make wsf
against Austria, and she disclaims i al
such Intentions; the more go, as she well
knows that she would have to face single-
handed three powerful military king
doms-GermsHy, Austria snH Italy. 1t
is therefore unlikely thsssRussia would
attempt to provoke asxsr which must
prove disastrous andsdissble her for at
least generation, sHd she will not tight
unless gosded on TO protect hegshenor
and position SIS Q great pewersfxo pro-
woke this is Prince Bismarek aim, and
herein lies the danger.
Europe has often been likeued to q
chess board, the rulers being the players,
and II we now glance at Russis and Aus
tria we see them distrustfully watching
each others movements. The real insti-
gator of the game, however. is Prince
Bismarck, who keeps in the background,
and having the usual advantage OF 8
lookeron, is able to correct the mistakes
of Austris, and profit by those of Russia.
Austria is ostensibly put forward by Bis
mark, he having really created the pes
ent strain ed situation. It is We'll known
fact tnat The Iron Chsncellor's great aim
is to reduce Russia's power, on account
Of her threatened alliance with France,
which is q standing menace Nfhe Father
land.
longer cause for anxiety, especially in
her present unsettled political cond.aen,
with q President not firmly wssatst and
without much prestige. ALI powerful
as Prince Bsmsrck's influence is with
Emperor William, he could never prevail
be taken against Russia. Ever since 1872
overthrow the power of the great Ma
poleon and aided Frederick William III
to regain his LANDS and influence in
Europe, the HohenZollsrn has regarded
Russia with respect and veneration
On mis- death bed the King Of Prussia
eDjoined his successor to aim to pre-
serve the entende cordiale with Rus
STA. Therefore, unless Russia ventures
to attack Germany, Bismarck cannot use
the German armies against her. Were s
young emperor at the head Of Germany,
matters, of course, would be different.
The astute Chancellor's game is now to
bring about rupture between Austria
and Russis, and should the latter fall
into the trsp Bismarck will have gained
MS end, for Germpny must asset her
sllies. In case Of war, Germany will be
tie power which will reap the benefit Of
q war with Russia, and she will then De
master of European arbitration, and her
present allies, Austria and Italy, would
be allies no longer, but simply vassals.
For some time jealousy has existed
between England and Russia, the former
feeling uneasy at the near approach of
the Russian toward her Indian posses
sions, an invasion OF which WAS never
seriously contemplated by Russia. En-
gland, therefore, would be more than
pleased to see Russis's power reduced,
but would fed in Germany far more
dangerous enemy to her vital inter-
es,s than Russia ever could have
been. German manufactures are
already successfully invading En-
glands home market and compete
equally with her in ell foreign markets.
Another successful German campaign
would SO raise Germany's influence
abroad that she would be brought more
than ever to the front In mercantile,
nsval, and Colonial matters, and being
overpopulsted she must and will acquire
colonies at the expense Of some nation as
sn outlet. The careful plodding German
will put in the wedge everywhere to the
deiriment of those who stand in mis- way,
and England especially would only too
soon fine this ont.
The wisest policy for all the great
European powers, is to observe distant
DoIiteness toward Germany. And unless
Russia is blind, as she evidently was in
$40, when she actually drove Austria
into the arms of Germany, she will not
only cease threatening her neighbor,
out assume cordial relations with
her. Nothing would provoke Prince
Bismarck more than this sensible
policy. 1t is o remarkable coincidence
that whenever the German government
wishes to increase its military force s
war scare such IS that Of lsst year on the
French frontier, and now again on the
Austro- Russian, is created. These war
scsres will crop out periodically as long
as Prince Bismarck yields the destinies
of Germany. The LOSE, unfortunately, TO
trade is enormous and thousands are
ruined.
However, the present state of affairs
undoubtedly will not disturb the peace Of
Europe, and, aside from the frightful
losses caused to trade, the only result
will be the unanimous passing of the new
army bill. which i'll further add 500, eco
men to Germany's standing armies.
| II j. JACoBY.