The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-01
EUROPE IN GENERAL.

Change That Goes No Further than the
Surface, While the War Danger Remains
special Go the Indianapolis journal.
LONDON. Dec. 31.-The change in the appear
ance of European affairs is only on the surface.
The danger Of war has existed for whole year,
and the only new point in the situation for the
moment is that the relations bet the
powers more plainly visible than they have
been for some time past. The prospect
is at least peaceful as s was last winter or in
the spring, though unfortunately very little
comfort can be derived from this fact. France
and Russia still to large extent unknown
factors in the diplomatic calculation. France,
indeed, has passed with wonderful quietness
through a prolonged crisis which threatened,
year ago. to throw all Europe into confusion.
But one either in France elsewhere, is
convinced that the calm which is apparent there
now is the result of the removal of the causes of
disturbance On the contrary, 1t represents ex-
actiy the same sort OF tacit agreement between
French political parties to postpone conflict
which for some years marked tho in
ternational relations between Russia and
Austria There is, on the one side,
NJ Ferry. representing the tradition of govern
ment. not perhaps, without a suspicion on the
part of his enemies that the monarchlst camp is
in the next field. while opposed to this school of
IDEAS is that of NJ. Clemenceau, behind whom,
whether ne likes is not, NJ. Rochefort
and his friends, the apostles of the commune.
The position Is that of compromise. NJ. Ferry
is in the background. and the Radicals
cluded from the Ministry NJ. Ferry is biding
his time but the Radicals impatient The
Radicals, by voting in body for NJ. earn OF
placed him in the presidential chair,
and they annoyed that hc called upon
the ROW iers the Fallieres and the Tirards TO
from Ministry to the exclusion of their own
party. Thus NJ. Tirards CabinetI holds Office
during the pleasure of the Right and the Left
that is, long neither of the extreme Sec
tons cares to turn them out. Their programme
contains series of neutral measures to which
party particularly objects. and which will be
very good for France if they ever carried
From the European point of view the
from the intentions of the minority, but
from the uncertainty of its reten-
ton in power and the absolute imposs! ability
of foreteiling what will succeed it. In the East
the danger OF war comes from Russia, as there
indications on her part to abandon the
political aims which bring her into opposition
with Austria. Russia still aims at position OF
supremacy in the Balkans, which is incomp patti
bic with the existence of Austria great
power. This is the really unsettled question,
and until IL has been answered there will
be no assured peace in the east of Europe
Alliance and diplomacy may POSTPONE the
struggle affect it's conditions-they cannot do
more. and in all probability the present genera
tion will not. indeed the ultimate settle
ment of the Balkans aud of Constantinople, but
the decision whether the future development of
the southern Savs shall take place under Rus
sian under Austrian influence.