The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-26

impossibility, hence Germany must look
for another vulnerable spot. 1t is also
asserted that this vulnerable spot has been
found in Belgium, and that through the
last named country Germany can pour her
legions towards the fertile plains of France.
Belgium is small, but very denselv
populated country in Europe. It con.
tanned nearly 10000 inhabitants when
Cesar invaded it and reduced it to wild.
erness. It's population is now about 6, OO0.-
600. and consists of the Wallons and of
the Jennings. The Wallons, who live in
the east and the southeast speak French
dialect, which is similar to the Dutch.
The administrative and the literary
language of the country is French, and the
sympathy of the people is also mostly on
the side OF France. The nation would,
however. not like to be annexed to France:
nor would Belgium like to become a Ger.
man province. The country enjoys the
privileges of neutrality; nevertheless it has
burdened itself with a very con-
siderable army. On a war foot
ing it numbers over 100000
and during the last Franco-German war
5000 men were actually under arms. Ger
many would like to have this army, and so
would France; but far more important for
both countries is the strategical position Of
Belgium. The country possesses but one
first-class fortress. Antwerp. but it is
situated near the mouth of the
Scheldt and could not keep in check
an invading foe. France has no important
fortresses on the Belgian frontier, and 1t
would be easy for Germany to invade
France from that part. France also could
pour her army into Germany through the
valley of the Mouse. It seems that Gers
many has more chance SO far. VIII.
ian III. visited King Leopold
and induced him TO become q
partner in the triple alliance.
He promised to the king of the Belgians
some of the northern departments OF
France. William III. promises too much.
He offered to the king of Sweden Finland
In case of war with Russia. But how
does the valiant Hohenzoller know that
France and Russia will be defeated? Per-
haps Germany herself will be obliged to
give up some of the territories she took
from other nations. 1t is too early for the
young emperor to change the map OF
Europe. Other nations have also some
thing to say.
We do not believe that William s mission
to Russia is q success. If 1t were we would
know more about it. The emperors EN-.
braced each other. dined together, exc
changed some compliments and so on, but
the astute car, in our opinion, has not
listened to the overtures of the kaiser.
Why should he? He knows that
the alliance with Prussia was never of any
real profit to Russia, but he is well aware
of the fact that Russia's friendship has
made Germany what she is now. He
knows also that there are many millions of
Slavs in Austro-H Hungary, and also q few
millions of Slavs in Prussia. and the car
is purely Siavonic ruler. As for France,
it would not do 10 let Germany annihilate
the Gauls. The balance of power in Eu-
rope would suffer through that.
Yet there is way to preserve peace In
Europe, and the way, as we mentioned al
ready in one of our previousIarticles, is the
restoration of Poland. As neutral land.
situated between Germany and Russia,
Poland would divide the two nations hat.
ing each other. The Muscoyite and the
German would become in that case separ-
ated.
A short time ago there appeared in Ger
many q pamphlet etitled "Post Tenebras
Lux" The anonymous author suggests
formation of q neutral zone between France
and Germany consisting of the two pro-
vinces Alsace and Lorraine The sugges.
ton. ridiculed in Germany, is not bad
one. The new state would occupy the same
position as, for instance, Switzerland does;
Belgium, Alsase-Lorraine, and the Helve-
tian confederation would completely sep
arate France and Germany, and Gaul and
Teuton would have no chance to look on
each other with hatred. The solution 10 SO
simple, yet how far it is 1t seems that war
will always be ultima ratio ycgum.
M. LoPATEcKr, Pr. ID.