Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-01
GERMANY and France.


Germany and France.
The feeling in Paris which forced inc
French artists 10 refuse to exhibit then
creations at the Berlin Exposition not Only
contrayenes the time honored contention
that art is universal, but is Chauvihisis
run mad" As an abstract question the y,
fair would partake of the ridiculous, nu,
unfortunately IL cannot be dissocih'eu
from possible complications that TOD !. ~
any such phase, and may lead TO serlou.
results not only TO France but to the resi-
Of Europe.
The Empress FREpERrcK Is the last person
connected with the royal family OF Ger
many who should have BEEN subjected u
insult from the French populace' even =
she had not in a sense been acting az me,
diator between France and Germany Asiu'
from the consideration that thefe ~ -
record of her having exhibited bitterness 70
wards the Frep Oh nation during the rance
prussian war. il was her husband "ho
stood between the German army anu Ao,'
~ vandalism when that army. flushed WIN
victory, had Versailles and faris uuu.i
their feet. Both on her own accoun. NM
AZ the widow of FREDERICK the uooN sNN
demanded every courtesy during her stay
in the French capital. and independent %
tho fact that she is of the ROYAL house 0,
ENGLAND and is the mother OF the present
German Emperor, the indignltles sue We" 's
offered are such as aforetime nave prove
n
the incipiency of gigantic struggles iIoln
tba davs of which HoAaER sang women
and their grievances, real or fancieu' nave
Leon the fruitful inspiration OF sentiments
that had brought on war ana sh ape
,ba destiny of nations. HELEN OF Troy
caused the Trojan war. sympathy lor 'n9
unfortunate MARY STUART kept Scotland
in a state of turmoil for years, and Loyalty
20 Mr., THERESA was the keynote OF the
memorable and dramatic oath the nun
car;an mobiles swore in the Dict OF
presbure. and which they kept to the
end. of enabling their fair queen 70
tripmpb over all Of her enemies and
DEFY the powerful combination to alb
rotate the pragmatic sanction. AL through
history there are records of grave struggles
in which woman has in greater or less
degree been involved as direct or indirect
influence.
While, in this age Of diplomatic and
friendly interposition on the part OF other
Powers than those Immediately concerned
in quarrel, it is not to be expected that
Germany and France will rush at once at
each others throats over the Paris incident,
that incident cannot fail to widen the
breach between the two countries. The
chances are that the French Government
will make reparation. Nevertheless
whether the Dowager Empress was acting
IN public capacity or not, she was in
suited. Through her the German Emperor
was snubbed, and through him the Ger
man nation. SIZE bore an olive branch IN
her hand and it was rudely snstched from
her and trampled in the mire of hate.
The sanctioning by young WILLIAM o.
his mothers visit to Paris was in every
way to his credit, and was in keeping Will
his entire policy since his accession. i
was another refutation of the charge tina
he was ambitious for a trial at arms will
France-another disappointment to hi
critics, who have never ceased to harI
upon his "war-lord" speech. BY it h
showed that whatever might have beer
his preference for the camp over the cour
he had sagacity enough to know that hi
people desired peace, and that he hat
patriotism enough to respect that desire
His whole course in dealing with othe
nations has been strictly within constitu
tional limits, and has demonstrated hi
realization Of the truth of the assertion
of B1sMAncK made IN his (the oil
Chancellor's) fight for the Septennate bill
that the next German war must be like tn
war OF 1S7O-a popular war. He has neithe
made nor sought excuse for that authorit
under which alone he could initiate th
offensive, nor is there any good reason I
assume that he desired to do so. II, how
ever. through policy rather than ps
triotism-and we do not concede this {
be the case-the young Emperor has sur
pressed his real ambition, it now appear
possible that it may not be Ion
before it will be policy to appear in hi
true colors. The tone of the German pres
indicates an undercurrent Of feeling owe
the Paris incident which if aggravated b
any further Objectionable demonstration
or insult from France may render "wal
lord" more popular than q sovereign VIII
has been seeking to bring about Germa
homogeneity through q union OF con
mercial and other internal interests.
The course of young WILLIAM IN the cris
will therefore be watched with intense il
terest, for upon it may depend whether /
shall in the future reap glory as a wa
rior or a statesman. viii he seize ii
opportunity to foster the war spirit or rii
to the higher plane of the true friends
France, who are grieved that nation wit
80 many noble qualities and such a splel
did record for chivalry should have Thu
jeopardized its reputation and its future
Even should he pursue the former cour'
he would have the moral support of on
side Powers, but should he choose the Ia
ter the sentiment of the whole ciyihze
world would unite in placing another ger
and one Of unquenchable lustre, in Il
German imperial crown. He is in a cruc
BILE, and momentous events may deper
,Dop thu manner IN which he stands II