New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-11
pF1CE UJTH 4 SPIKED HELMEi.

The Emperor died like a soldier dreaming
Of battles Born during the NapoleOnlc wars
he might be said to have been Graded in camp;
and his last broken sentences were prcmonl-
tons of impending campaigns in Europe 81
am man Of peace" he is reported to have cX-
claimed n few hours before he died; but II
Russia forces me to war shall faithfully side
with my ally Austria - In a similar spirit he
referred to the Cars assurances to HIM at thcIl
last meeting respecting conflict between
Russia and Germany, and expressed approval
TO Prince Bismarck Of the military bill recently
passed and of the general policy OF coali'ionN
and ornaments. He took leave Of Germany
almost as general bids farewell to an army.
The Fathcrland, as il faded from his eyes. was
vast camp, in which summons TO war might
be expected before many months As the
burden Of his thank sgiing for victories won
in war time had been, Not unto us, but unto
Thy Name give the praise so he may revcr-
entity be said in his last hours to have com
mittcd his beloved country TO the God OF
battles.
II is the Empcrors character as brave
soldier in battle, who loved the atmosphere
of the camp and derived genuine satisfaction
from the routine of the parade ground and all
details Of military science. that secures for his
memory the sympathetic appreciation OF Eu-
rope The Continent to-day, as never before
in history. is n circle of campS-a continuous
line OF barracks, Notifications and dr'-
grounds The armamcnts Of the Napolconic
wars were insignificant in comparison with
those of this year Of peace. The weight OF
dynastic coalitions sufficiently powerful then
to drive the greatest soldier Of the ages twice
into exile would be light in The balance beside
that of the alliance between Germany. Austria
Hungary Italy and England, by which Russia
has been brought to a halt in It's European con-
quests. or by which France is bafllcd in its
dream OF revenge. The last army bill which
Emperor William signed added at a single
stroke 100000 men to the effective military
force. so as to furnish the Fatherland with
2.25OOOO soldiers for defence against Russia
and France combined The Austrian. Italian
and French military establishments were never
before so formidable as al present. The art
Of war has become the science of European
government Not only is it studied IN
minutest detail by strategists in camp, but
nations also are inspired with enthusiasm for
arms. converted as they are into military
schools by the operation Of universal con-
scrption laws. The Emperor was the cmbodi-
ment Of this spirit Of milarism, now rampant
in Europe; and in his character Of soldier
monarch commanded the admiration OF the
military centres of the Continent.
81 am a man of peace. - the Emperor en-
claimed almost with his last breath: and when
he said that, he meant that he believed IN
keeping, not Germany alone III the saddle
but all Europe under arms for the sake OF
multiplying the dangers Of war Another
generation will learn whether or not he has
been instrumental in multiplying the chances
n well as the risks Of war. Coalitions seem
formidable now on the side Of peace. When
the master diplomatist who holds in the hollow
of his hand those coalitions and the armamcnts
living behind them follows his august friend
and sovereign to the grave. the real efficacy
OF these dynastic combinations will be demon
strated Then the world will know whether
nations that are now sleeping uncas'y with
their armor on and dreaming OF fighting the
greatest war in history. are preparing for
titanic conflict. or training themselves for the
duties Of peace and the privileges of bcnciiccnt
civilization. II will be reserved for another
generation Of wiser Europeans TO discriminate
between idolatrous worship Of tho God OF
battles and rcvercnt devotion to the Prince OF
Peace.