Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-01-02


Probably most OF the crowned heads and diplo-
mats or Europe as well as the trailing classes who
rnd business paralyzed By doubts as TO what the
future holds forth. will agree with the Hungarian
statesman who said yesterday that sthe present
gloomy uncertainty Il worse than war Itself"
The worst feature Of the existing situation Is
that n BIDS fair 20 last for long time Still Aus
Iria Is making those general preparations for an
offensive movement against Russia which may
mean only ASSURANCE against possible exigencies
or may mean an aggressive hostile purpose. The
Hungarian premier. Herr Jisza. says that Hun
yary docs DOT seek war. but that IL war comes she
NIn not shrink from IL, and that Russia must sub
hit 20 such TectiiicatiOn Of her western frontier
as viii prevent her from troubling Europe for a
long tine 70 come. The line on which Herr Tisza
believes On" boundary OF the future VIII be drawn
VIII cut of about quarter OF the finest territory
now within Russian Europe. It IL on
Ihis ground which extends as far east as
the thirty-nfth meridian east FROM Greenwich,
and nOrrh AID south from tine Baltic provinces to
the Black Sea, marked for more than half IT'S way
by the course OF the Dnieper river, that the bulk
IL the nghting will be carried on In case war comes
Here viii be created new Poland to serve as a
buffet between the antagOnistic forces OF eastern
and western Europe, and either attached TO It's
powerful western neighbOrs, or maintained by
them IN ind pendence In consideration Of the pro-
lection it affords.
IL seems 20 be the better opinion abroad that
active hOstilities viii be deferred till summer
This Is because campaigning in Russia in mid
winter Is an undertaking too serious 20 be entered
upon without the gravesJ necessity. Another
reason exists In the fact that neither side has vet
fully measured up its forces. should the combi-
nation &C nsist simply OF Austria and Germany
with armies. In round numbers, OF Loco 600 and
:.,5OOOOO men respectively, against Russo with a
defensive force OF about 900, activities might
begin at almost any time. But the chance OF
another brush with Austria and Germany might
tempt France into the field with her S5OOO1O
men, and q hat event it would be to the interest
OF all parti& TO wait I'll the weather vas warmer
and the means OF subsistence In the invested
country greater. should France join Russia Ger
many could undoubtedly call into use some g.
100000 more men, who are ready but compare
lively unframed. and would require a few months
for efficient drilling.
Then, Italy's position a member OF the triple
alliance Is 10 be considered. Her total army in
Guiding mobile militia, numbers about o,ooo,ooo
men, and makes her a very important factor in the
contest. England has 50 much on her hands already
that IL is doubtful whether she would be willing 70
engage any or her land forces; but her powerful
navy would probably be placed at the service OF
Germany. Turkey is IN an unsettled state OF mind
about the payment OF her Indemnity arrears to
Russia, amounting now 20 something ike 81 600 OOO
self BY territorial seizures in Asia Minor. The SUI
tan would doubtless embrace without reluctance
any chance OF wiplng out this debt by joining a
strong combination which had for its purpose to
break Russia's pride ana force her TO terms: and
the Turkish army il the Irregular troops drawn
from Circassia and other prOyiGces were Included,
would number about 10000
Why all Europe trembeS at the thought OF
general war can BE- understood from study OF
these figures. The crash OF battle between TO-
10000 men on the side % the invading powers
and half that number shrpwdiy az sposed for de-
Isnsive and harrassing warfare, to say nothing OF
the engagement Oi the n1VeS Of at least six pow
ers and perhaps seven would De az once the most
magnificent and the most terrible military Spac-
Ticie The world has ever Witnessed Al friends OF
peace VIII pray That the shock may not come But
D. Is probable thar, though post poneI for awhile
litcana0t De forever averted; and ii is an open
question whether what is In store for the old world
had not better come nOw and be over, than put Off
longer with the disastrous effects OF doubt In every
Iield OF Industry.
TDe death OF ex-governor ,IOeI Parker, OF New
jersey. removes another OF the 'iark horses who
have been regularly discussed In every presiiep-
tai year Tor nearly quarter OF a century lie re-
s-tyesi In two national conventions the undivided
wee OF his state. Although a thick-and-thin
democrat, he won the kindly regard OF all
parties ~ his steaifast loyalty to the
Government during the war. It will always
Dc remembered % his credit that In the dark hours
OF 1853, when Pennsylvania was penetrated Dy a
confederate army and the gates stood ajar for a
general invasion OF the nfrrr, txo raeyirna,f, N,