The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-07-20
FRANCE AND HER ENEMIES.
The Views and Prophecy of an Ardent Ad-
mirer of the Republlc.


To rHE EDITOR OF TIE suN-Sir: Judging
by the tone OF the French press, France ap-
pears to lie very proud of her Isolated position
In Europe. She looks upon the triple or
auadruple alliance as a compliment paid to
her present military strength. With an army
numerically superior to that OF Germany by
from 100000 to 100000 men, supplied with the
best Infantry arm so far invented. with far
greater number Of field batteries than Emperor
William can now boast OF, and with facilities
for mobilization equal ut least TO those OF any
other power. she stands alone defying her
enemy and all his doubtful allies.
The triple alliance Is still called the bond
Of peace. Humbugi Everybody knows that It
was made for war. In spite OF the acres Of
arguments that have been published with q
Wow to concealing its true character. its in
tent and meaning become palmer and clearer
every day. 1t was FIRST formed by Bismarck
when he began to have doubts in regard TO the
consequences Of summoning France to dis
arm. In other words he doubted Germapys
ability single handed to come out victorious in
second and genuine trial OF strength with
France. Nobody knew better than he did that
in 1870 he caught the Gaul mapping
and had wonderful luck" But things have
changed greatly since 1870. Prussia s not
now the only country In which every man is q
by throwing masses against particles are not
80 great as they used 70 be. After the mdsal-
lance between Austria and Italy 1t was thought
that the summons to France would como In
short order. but 1t didn't. Bismarck wasn't
quite sure Of the neutrality OF Russia; neither
was he quito sure OF his allies. His successors
are in the same fix. They would like we'll
enough to attack France. but. In plain English
they are afraid.
That is how the alliance stands and that is
the whole Of it When village bully wishes
to give thrashing to his enemy and at the
Same time doubts his own ability single
handed to afford the luxury. he gets other fell
lows to promise to help him. but he knows also
that It is not wise to place too much confidence
in such promises. So he keeps the peace
against his will. The present position in
Europe Of the nation that has been called the
upstart In victory 10 pretty much like that OF
the village rowdy.
"The reconstruction OF our national forces"
says the RSpubiQue FanSaise. enables VI.
fearing nothing; TO dispense With all outside
ad when AN eur rights n r.
the world after having .labored so long for
justice, progress. and the freedom OF all the op-
pressed; but there is some satisfaction in lind
scsreey healed tho erer 0 BOTH OF those Who
%.S de whsn we hs
all these alliances are made against US. and us
only. our pride becomes all the greater. and
We have only salute OF gratitude for those
who do US so much honor. In silence. there
fore We pursue our course. with as much con-
strength OF our army"
These are proud words. and. what is more,
they express the sentiments OF the people OF
France-that is to say. the citizens OF sound
mind. without including the cranks OF com
OF anarchy. who. happily. must still be re-
garded as QunntIe ne0'i0idbe. When
France and Germany are again aur prses.
not very far beyond the range OF the probable
that the struggle may end with the fall Of an
other empire and the rise OF another republic.
NEW YORK, July ~. w.