Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-23
An APPROACHING EUROPEAN WAR
The Meaning and Possible Outcome Of
the Movements Now Sextng C0nttnen.
tai Affairs.


1t is very evident that, for purposes OF hts own
Prince Bismarck means 1t TO be understood that
Germany expects a serious war during the ensu-
Ing summer months To those who comprehend
the methods OF the Berlin police control OF tele-
graph and post-ofce, the fact that our Associated
Press dispatches declare that is believed TO be
inevitable is proof Sufficient or what the statesmen
OF Germany desire Americans TO believe. But be-
hind the writing and between the lines there Is
something TO be read. The German chancellor, as
his policy proves, does not mean that Russia shall
obtain sole possession OF ConstaDtnople IL Is their
want OF adequate maritime frontiers and outlets
that must be considered In order 10 apprehend In
diligently the forces which are now al WORK upon
both Germany and RuSSia-on the former In making
solid the alliance with Austria and Italy, and with
the latter IN constantly forcing the cZarchy TO ad-
venture In the direction OF Constantinople. Both
OF these great empires are In large senses so far
as Europe is concerned, inland and not maritime
countries The German seaboard is too cramped
and that OF Russia Is not only land-locked but IL
is In large part wtnter-bound also. Both coun-
tries want TO reach the Mediterranean, and In ad-
dition Germany naturally coyets the seaDoard
facilities OF Holland and Belgium. To realize the
latter is In the future to reach the Mediterranean
Austria, ending In her possession OF Bosnia, Her.
zeGoviDa, and part at least Of Macedonia, 80 as
TO include the port OF Saonica, ana thereby access
from the Bay or Salamis and the Egean Sea 10 the
Mediterranean. Russia seeks Constantlnople SEN
timentally, because IL was once the cradle OF her
religion, and practically and commercially be-
cause its possession would make her master OF the
Occidental Mediterranean, the ancient OF his
toric power. The car seated iE Byzantium would
be master OF Southern as well as Northern Europe.
Every statesman knows this, and they are bound
to resist It
just now the effort is to minimize the struggle.
Russia plays that game just as much as Germany.
The latter now proposes that Great Britain and
Italy shall do the FIRST important fghting-that
by the navies-whlle Austria and the Danubisn
communities with Turkey shall take the brunt OF
the land shocks. Russia is also evidently planning
disturbance on the frontier OF Afghanistan or
Northern British India. And this brings up direct
ly the question now nlling our foreign dispatches
most largely-that OF Great Britain's capacity for
warfare defensive even more than offensive. II
seems 70 he taken for granted by most American
critics that France will prove eager for quarrel
and can therefore be used by Russia to break down
British power. This view seems TO ignore the ideas
and policies which republicanism terminates, even
In France, and which certainly Will not willingly
become the catspaw Of a Russian autocracy.
The British debate over the military question is
an interesting one. The premiers attack on general
the viscount Wolseley Is certainly q Significant
event, Just as the assault OF the Acknowledgement
OF the army upon party government as such was q
remarkable act Tor a military man 70 do. II means
good deal more than appears on the surface. IL
is safe TO say that English soldier OF over ntty
years OF age would nave made Moseley's speech
OF criticism. The younger Officers OF any capacity
in the British army are Anglo Indians. They have
learned their professional well political opn
ions In maintaining the subjugation or conquered
races, generally Inferior and always so considered
AS TO the beillgerent capacity OF Great Britain,
there are good many interesting facts IL must
always desire TO spend money on guns or other ex-
perments. Second, that the system OF British
military service is wholly undemocratic. The
naval reserve system is the only one that appeals
TO a popular impulse. The British army is
moulded on three Ideas. First-a special army or
corps Tor the defense OF the crown. This is now
embodied in the guards, or household brigade:
Second-a regular army, originally territorial In
form; and, third-a colonial or native army as
that OF British India. To this must be added, as
recruiting forces or reserves the militia proper,
the yeomanry, and In later years the voluntary
corps. In these latter bodies no attempt has
really been made to touch the working .populace-
the militia and volunteers being always composed
OF those above the wage or laboring class. These
latter ore the material from which hired re-
cruits are sought Tor the regular army. When the
militia are called into service the ranks are ned
up by recruiting. The yeomanry Is q cavalry
corps composed of farmers and landowners, al
ways oficered Dy the country gentry. The VOL
unyeer regiments are made almost entirely OF the
professional clerical and small SELF
employing OF tradesmen class; There are very
are not legally excluded. but they usually I'd
ministered out OF existence II they strive TO organ
All sailors before or AFTER the mast are enrolled
and they will have their place n called into sery-
Ice. The British army and navy on paper stands |
Taxing the navy FIRST, there are Of armored |
ships "A. OF gunboats 8, OF unarmored ships lO7 /
Of torpedo boats 2ss, Of transports &C., a6a Of |
$40 vessels, with 1900 guns The rank and line 1
Of the regular navy numbers 1884. The naval /
Imercantiiel reserve numbers $500 Great Bri:
postal grants the services OF at least 500 steam.
ships as swift cruisers-the veritable greyhounds
the ocean. II is asserted that France Is stronger
IN vessels and guns. The figures do not quite
prove this though there seems TO be more heavier
runs on French than British ships. The French i
md over; the British have $50 such guns, but Of
other guns l02 more than French ships carry.
The available military n,s foree o. the empire N time
al, 100, and guns, 1,944. The militia proper as