Los Angeles herald., 1890-04-04
AN IMPENDING EUROPEAN WAR.

Mr.. Whitelaw Reid, our Minister to
France, has left his post and come over
TO Washington, ostensibly to have an
important conference with Harrison
and Blaine. In an interview with a
reporter, he says that European war is
impending and that all the great powers
desire to have the friendship of the
United States. Mr.. Reid does not
furnish us any hint as to how or on
what pretext the looked-for hostilities
will be begun; but he was in position
when at his post to CLEAN great many
inside facts that would enable him to
know how imminent the eruption is.
We have all along felt convinced that
the peace of Europe was liable to be
broken at any moment. The tremen-
dous armaments kept up by the great
powers, and the increase that is con-
stantly going on in those armaments,
must of themselves predispose. the ma
tions to war; A fiery and inn
petuous youth like William of Germany
can hardly rest satisfied with such an
army as he has without using it. All
he wants is pretext for breaking with
France and letting "slip his dogs OF
war" France, too, has large element
who are raging for revenge" Austria
is lying in wait to take sides with what
ever power will insure her in her East
ern provinces against the encroachments
of Russia; and the Muscovite, irritated
by the methods of the Nihilists and the
growing discomfort of his subjects, would
doubtless welcome great war that
would excite the patriotism of his peo-
pie and unite them against common
foreign foe.
Italy has taken to very strange courses.
She, seems to have allied herself with
Germany through an unaccountable
antagonism to France, which ought to
be her natural ally, The military
strength OF the great powers are so
evenly balanced that Italy's attitude be-
comes of the greatest importance. If in
a war between France and Germany
she should espouse the cause
of the latter, France would be
caught at great disadvantage; but
she would not be without means of neu
tralizing this disadvantage if Austria
could be induced to see her real interests
in such struggle. Franz-Josef cannot
afford to let Germany increase in power.
That empire is now constant menace
to Austria, and ever since Sadowa has
been an arrogant and overbearing neigh
Dor. An alliance between France and
Austria would bring Germany to her
senses, and Italy would be apt to find
herself left to carry out her own destiny
as best she could. Perhaps Austria
might, under such circumstances, think
of recovering Lombardy and setting foot
again in Piedmont. England will GER
tainly not permit, ii she can help it, the
balance of power in Europe to be dis
turbed by any further territorial ae-
grandisement of Germany; and in the
event of war with France, We can see
many very strong reasons to urge John
Bull TO again become the ally of the
nation with which he faced the Russian
Bear in thedCrimea.
The first note of hostilities on the
continent VIII be the signal for general
war of the nations, and one perhaps
that will result in curious changes in
the map of Europe and in revenees that
have long lain under tbe mask waiting
for the propitious hour in which to
gratify them.
No wonder that all the great European
powers are very anxious to secure the
goodwill and friendship OF the United
States at this particular time Thanks
to Democratic Secretary of the Navy,
we shall have feet of vessels that will
at leastsgive us an air of resPectability
ahoat when the great struggle COM
nlences.