Omaha daily bee., 1888-09-01
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Other Lands Than Ours.

The recent conference between Bismarck
and Signor Crispi the Italian premier, and
between the latter and Kalnoky, the Austrian
prime minister, seem to signify chiefly that
the German chancellor now controls the for
eign policy of three great powers, instead of
one, on matters OF supreme international i'm
portance. Even the Massowah incident APP
pears to have been submitted to Bismarck
for his judgment as diplomatic arbiter of
Europe. Austria and italy are evidently
proud of the part they play as factors in
regulating the affairs of the continent, and
the chancellor Is more than ever confident
of having either peace or war to his liking.
Fortunately for the people of Europe he is
thus far satisfied with peace. Italy, with
Germany at her back, is capable of a bold
ness toward France which she otherwise
would not assume; but France, fully alive to
Bismarck's moves, is not likely to he drawn
into war on account of any such subordi-
nate affair as the annexation Of Massowah.
Nevertheless, she must see with some cha.
grin her policy toward Tripoli completely
held in check. Sh e cannot hone to advance
a step there, since Italy, with the conscious
ness of German support would make it a
cause of quarrel, although she herself will
probably continue to enlarge ker foothod on
the Red Sea. There could be no event con-
ceivable more fortunate for Ger
many than war between Italy and France
In such a contest France would have but
the faintest chance Of victory, because, at
the first sign Of weakness on the part of
Italy, her allies, Germany and Austria
would be sure to interpose. In such circum-
stances, too, it would be much less difficult
to secure the neutrality of Russia than if the
German empire were plainly the aggressor.
With even third part OF the French military
resources diverted toward Savoy, a German
demonstration from the northeast might
prove well nigh irresistible. Irrepressble
the conflict between France and Germany
unquestionably is, and of course Bismarck
must wish to see the wager Of battle decided
before he dies. Moreover, not only for the
territorial integrity of Germany, but for the
stability Of its monarchial institutions, he
must desire 10 worst France during the ex-
istence of her republican regime. For, hav-
ing thus dscredited democratic institutions
and promoted the restoration of monarchy in
France, he might die in the reasonable assur-
anoe that the imperial fabric of his fashion
ing would be safe for at least generation
-.
The reported proposition Of the czar for
adjusting the Bulgarian difficulty has at
| least the merit of concilating two of the
European powers which at the Berlin con-
| gress showed themselves least favorable to
| Russia's pretensions. The Duke of Cumber-
land, In whose behalf the northern autocrat
| is said TO advocate the erection of Bulgaria
and Eastern Roumelia into kingdom, is, as
we scarcely need remind the reader near
| kinsman Of Queen Victoria. AS, moreover
the offer of the new throne would be condi
toned on disavowal of the Guelph claim to
Hanover, the importance Of such trans
action TO Germany is obvious. The czar's
plan, it seems, is not only to amalgamate the
Bulgaria defined by the Berlin treaty with
the Ottoman province known as Eastern
Roumolia, but, to annex also section OF
Macedonia, thus giving the new kingdom ac
cess to the Egean. As the sultan would be
then cut on from land commun ication with
Albania and his few other remaining pos
sessions west OF. Yalonica, most of these
would naturally fall to the Hapsburg mon
archy, which has already pushed its south
| ward encroachments to Novi Bazaar, Should
Salonica be included in Austria's share
Of tho Ottoman territory, she could