The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-11-19
wAR-CLoUDs IN hURopE,

The article in the Vienpa TGge5lat, in
which speech of the Austrian Emperor was
reported, stating that the talk of peace by
monarchS and statesmen contrasted strangely
with the preparations for war which are
going on everywhere, has led to a panic on
tie European bourses. Count kanoky has
authorized a contradiction Of the report in
Government evening paper; but the Tdge-
bldtt invites the Government to institute
proceedings against it for publishing false
news, and declares that it will prove that its
words were true 1t is in fact in the high
est degree probable that the Emperor used
the language ascribed to him.
Many wars have been undertaken as
safety-Valves against internal fermentation
Nothing would be more natural than for the
Governments at st. Petersburg and Berlin
to distract the attention Of their people
from The high price of food by undertaking
or threatening a foreign war The armies
Of Russia and Germany are on a war foot
ing, the rank and file are spelling for a
fight, and convenient battle-ground are
within easy reach. Talking about war in
the presence of such vast hosts, armed and
equipped for fighting, is like lighting matches
in poTder-magaZiae.
The prevailing discomfort among the work
ingmen OF Germany is directly traceable to
the heavy taxation which the great standing
army requires. 1t was the same heavy tax
alton which led to The overthrow of the last
Italian Ministry, and which induces the
Italian Government to cOnnive at the ex-
portation Of paupers to this country. 1t IS
the financial necessities of France-caused
by the same taxation for military purposes
which stands in the way of the adoption of
the enlightened policy on which n. Garnet
is known to have set his heart
We, in this country, appear to be dsinter-
ested Observers Of the coming struggle. At
4 superficial glance it seems that our inter
est in it, when it comes. will be cOniided to
feeding the combatants. But we are suffer
Ing in a collateral way. The enormous
flood of immigrants from Europe, amount
ing to nearly two thousand persons day,
mostly ignorant and helpless, is directly due
to the poverty which war taxation creates.
II the European armies were disbanded
taxation could be reduced; the German,
Italian and Hungarian peasant might earn a
decent living, and they would not flock in
such numbers to this country, where there
seems not much room for them. and where
they merely make life harder for those who
are here already. 1t is suggested that the
Treasury Department who were dispatched
TO Europe last spring to investigate the
causes of pauper immigration might lead to
legislation which would irritate and en-
barrass our allies on the other side of the
Atlantic 1t might be followed by pro-
hibition of immigration from the overpopu-
lated countries. That would deprive Europe
of the vent which now relieves that con-
tinent of an element which, but for the
vent. would have to be supported at home
by general taxation; and it would not be
surprising il our course were regarded as
unfrlendiy. Reprisals would probably be
thought Of.
Altogether, the present attitude Of sus-
pense is becoming unbearable. 1t bles
closely the attitude which Southern Europe
occupied just before the Franc0-Austrian
war of 1859. Then, as now, war seemed in
evitable. Italy and Austria were compelled
by the prospect to maintain their armies on
war footing, and France was obliged, in
view of the uncertainties of the future, to
keep the cadres of her regiments full.
Cavour and Napoleon concluded that actual
war was not much worse than the pro-
longed suspense, and 1t seemed partial re-
lief when the French armies crossed the
Alps. A similar feeling might prevail if the
present crisis were ended.