Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-03-02
DUO D'oRLEASS.
COMTE DE PARIS.


| Such is fair summary of the last months
dispatches from Europe. And at the last, as
a sort of theatrical climax, Emperor William
astonshes the continent with series Of re-
scripts, in which he virtually acknowledges
that the Socialists are correct in their state
ments as to the supreme wretchedness Of the
laboring people Of Germany, and proposes
some amazing measures of relief Briefly
stated his plan is to Guido the Socialists in
their line; but his socialism is to be state So
cialism. First, all the relations of capital
and labor and all the methods of improving
the laborer's condition are TO be managed by
the government; it is to guarantee shorter
hours, better wages, an easier food supply and
improved sanitation. Secondl y-and here is
where the establishment comes in-the other
nations Of Europe are TO be invited to gen.
eral conference to arrange for an interna-
| tional plan of settling these things.
The first impression, OF course, was .hat
this was merely trick to capture Sociallstic
voters for the coming elections, and the peo-
pie still think Bismarck has that idea, but
there is general confidence that Emperor
William really means it. The economists OF
Europe generally laugh at the scheme. The
French blaze with wrath at its ''impudence."
The Swiss complain that it is designed to en-
barrass their own conference, which is called
for May and is attracting much attention.
The English say they will gladly send com
missioners, and as the greatest measure Of re-
lief will urge general free trade. As to Rus
sia, the present position of that government
is below the Sub-cellar of infamy, and what
ever her cabinet says is assumed, prima facie,
to be lie. Her minister to Bulgaria is
proved to have instigated plot to murder its
ruler and one of the conspirators has been
decorated by the car!
The French, as usual, can see nothing
but German arrogance, and their journals
are furious. La Lauterne, for instance,
says: 1--WE will not pause to point out
the impertinence of the presumption put
forth by the German emperor TO make
us interfere in the settlement Of German
workingmen's interests, and, above all, of
himself interfering in the interest of French
~orkingmen. The idea of France negotiat-
ing with Germany on any matter! You had
better first begin by restoring to us Alsace
and Lorraine, which you have extorted, and
the milliards you have flched. Bow down
before the rights you have trampled under
foot, and then, perhaps, we may condescend
to consider the matter
No wonder there is misery and discomfort
and socialism and murderous anarchism and
cold blooded nihilism all over Europe; for
the people are crushed to earth by standing
armies and excessive taxes-high tariffs upon
all that is imported and excise on home prod
ucts. Germany has 490, 600 men under arms,
and Bismarck is calling for more. The COM
ing elections turn largely on that issue.
France has 81, 472 men in the ranks and a.
49i officers, besides her large navy, and the
"Revanche" party is crying Justify that 1.-The
army must be made more efficient" Italy
maintains $4,000 men-"merely peace es-
Establishment" There are 1,7l6, 547 enrolled
militia to draw upon in case of war Rus
sia's regular army consists of 100000 men;
Austria's of $1,000 nearly; Belgium's, a.,
600; Denmark's, 60, 600; Greece lone third the
size of Ohio has $4,000 regular soldiers, and
SO on. On the whole we may say that nearly
100000 men stand armed in Europe, and
half as many more ready for any emergency.
To support them labor is ground to the
dust. Men toll fourteen hours a day, women
work till they drop. and all imports are tar
iffed so high that in a ma jority of families
many things in common use in England or
America are the rarest luxuries. In the coun-