The sun., 1889-11-20
SiEns Of War.

The war scare In Europe Is by no means
cured by the pacific declarations Of Emperors
and statesmen. A pamphlet entitled Belgium
and the Coming War" has Just appeared in
| Brussels. 1t is calculated to increase the un-
easiness. for 1t not only deals with tho question
Of old treaties, both secret and open. ac-
cording TO which It is claimed that Germany
has the right to occupy certain forts in
Belgium territory on the outbreak Of
hostilities, but 1t severely critlcses the condi-
tion Of the Belgium army The writer is NJ. II.
Girard, formerly Major in the engineer corps
and a professor in the military school Of Brus-
sells. According to his argument, when the
war comes, Belgium will be obliged to choose
her ally, not according to her preference or her
interest. butgaccording to the difference Of a
few hours between the arrival OF the
Germans before LieRe and that Of
the French before Namur. Judging
from the experience that I acquired
personally" he says. during our mobilization
in 1870. and. from the results Of my studies,
pursued during fifteen years as a professor In
the military school. feel sure that. by reason
OF the organic defects which have referred
to. our army will not be able to take the field
before the fifteenth day OF mobilization. The
German and French forces will be mobilized
by the seventh day. perhaps tho sixth Bel
gium can therefore be completely invaded be-
fore We can get ready to fire single gun. The
Notifications OF Antwerp can only serve to in
terne hundred thousand Belgians. under the
guard OF an equal number OF French or Ger
mans. to send them to Germany or to France as
prisoners Of war without having fought or
after having fought without chance of suo-
cess; and thus our brave and unfortunate army
will become the Laughing stock OF Europe"
80 much for tho Belgian scare. On the other
hand Crispi Is the coming man Of blood and
iron. according to the French. for they appear
to be even more afraid of him than they are Of
Bismarck. The Roman correspondent Of the
Paris Matin says that during the recent cleo
tions in France $4,000 Italian troops were
massed along the Alps and all the reserves OF
the Alpine regiments were called out. The
Italian statesman believed that the Boulan-
gists would triumph in the election that then
things would be upset generally In France, and
that consequently an excellent opportunity
would be afforded to attack her. The troops
massed along the frontier were ready to march
on the first signal from Berlin. In the army 1t
appears the opinion is gaining ground every
day that q war with France would be a great
and good thing for Italy. But says the
Mathis correspondent, that is not the general
belief Of the people OF Italy.
The Paris Steele claims also to have proof
that the statements Of the Mathis correspond
ont ARE exact; that Crispi is spelling for fight,
and would like to have it at any cost but tho
price OF it. after all, is the precise thing that
troubles him. Italy is already overburdened
with the expenses OF her war preparations,
and 1t is more than probable that u war with
France would not be popular. All the signs
point to battle. and we are left with only the
poor hope that when the struggle begins 1t may
not bo 80 terrible as the appearances indicate.