Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-07-24
Francc and Roulanger.

To be heard In it should always accompany his
screed with his full name, not necessarily for
publication but as a guarantee of good faith.l
France and Boulanger.
EDITORS HERALD: The news columns
of the HERALD a few mornings ago con-
tanned an official announcement from
Alsace-L Lorraine, that after given date
call private documents written in French
must be accompanied by an authorized
German translation, at the cost of the
parties concerned" The purport OF this
requirement is apparent to all-it is an
other straw intended to break the camel's
back.
Notwithstanding the prevalence of
wise counsels in the government of
France, and however desirous may be
the French as nation to maintain an
honorable peace, the day is approaching
when Germany, instigated by Prussia,
will declare war-a cold-blooded,
offensive war levied not to right any
wrong, but solely in hopes of gaining
political prestige. All the signs of the
time indicate the precipitation OF con-
f1ict in the near future. No matter how
nor when the thing happens, France re-
indignation, her disasters of 1S70-1,
caused by treachery at home and corrup-
tion in high places; she remembers the
peremptory demands of the victors who,
substituting might for right, not satisfied
with an adequa,e indemnity in money,
exacted large portion of the French
territory and thus sowed dragons teeth
in the treaty of peace. France, now
stronger than ever before, remembers in
sorrow her lost provinces, not conquered,
not assimilated, but temporarily held
down by the mailed hand of force.
French departments where little chill
dren, treated like adscripts of the soil,
are denied by an imperial edlct,evea the
privilege to receive public instruction in
French, the native language OF their par
ents. The mourning statue of Strasburg
in the Place de la Conorde to o.day mutely
appeals to the sympathy of every French
heart. No Delphic oracle of old was
more eloquent than yonder dumb statue
veiled with weeds. The wager of battle
flung at France shall provoke on her part
war OF reprisal, of revenge, of enthusi-
asm, and therefore of success. For the
catastrophes which may ensue she shall
not be held responsible in history.
A tentative, democratic Republic such
as they have in France, beset with enc
mics within and without, can not and
will not undertake at present so perilous
venture as declaration of war against
Germany and all her partners, dormant
or in active alliance with her. The first
step to declaration of war would require
favorable vote by the Chamber of Dep
uties and the Senate-that is to say, the
consent of the entire commonwealth. In
Prussia, Cd the contrary, a declaration of
war depends on an order from the sover-
eign. This sovereign is now Caesar in
authority as we'll as in title. But. re-
capitulation of adverse votes in the
Reichstag will show that Bismarck S
scheme of pan-Germanic confederation
and solidarity is fraught with elements cf
disintegration, while the young Kaiser,
who is at this moment on politico-oscu
latory tour, and parading in barge OF
state as free from blemish as was the
galley of Cleopatra, true to the ambition
of his house, is anxious to shore up, it is
said, the federal fabric erected by his
sires at the cost of so many bloody sacri-
fees; anxious to prop up by any means
the German Empire, which Berlin
organ represents as shaking on its found
ations.
Bismarck is so we'll aware of these and
other pertinent facts, that with a view to
bolster up his aggressive policy,
he has evoked the spectre of
menacing French Dictatorship
the sword of Damocles, an absurd phan-
tom which haunts the brain of the dis
tinguished statesman on the other side OF
the Rhine. Mo- The French people
are warmly and earnestly attached to the
institutions that have brought upon the
country the blessings of Liberty, and it
is only after a series.of glorious victories
once more be raised to the supreme
power as a military dictator. Militarism
in France? Why, Prussia is to-day a
standing military camp, one park of artil.
lery, one net work of Notifications and
frowning bulwarks. Her principal in
dustry is the manufacture oi
cannon and gunpowder, her rail
way stations are converted into
into army depots, and her military roads
all ramify to the frontiers of France. Ali
who are not military count for nothing
and are relegated to the back seats in the
councils of the nation. Bismarck, an
avowed civilian and paci6cator, dons his
regulation uniform, spurs and all, to visit
the venerable Emperor in his last mo-
ments even the surroundings of death
in the imperial bed-chamber are made
to bristle and shine with the arms and
engines of war. The Kingdom OF Prus
sia, among the states of Europe, owes its
importance to war only. 1t has always
been engaged in war or wal
schemes. The reigning Emperor, the
embodiment of the national spirit
prides himself upon his special military
education. If not a man of war in en-
bryo, then what is he?
The French are constantly threatened
by this neighboring C@sarism, this CEN
tralized imperial administration, for the
time being the greatest military power in
the world. They are prepared for the
coming conflict.
In conclusion I beg to say that 1 yield
to none in appreciation of all that is due
to Germany-to the great Teutonic race,
that has done so much for the advance
ment of art, science, literature and civil.
ization; that has produced so many emf.
nent leaders in all branches of human
pursuit and inquiry; but, in common
with all peace-lovers of the world.
humbly protest against the menacing
the high-and- mighty attitude of the ruler
In Prussia, the power behind the throne
greater than the throne.
A. P. DIETz.
Los Angeles, July II, 1888.