Los Angeles herald., 1891-07-28
A PECULIAR SITUATION IN EUROPE.

PECULIAR SITUATION IN EUROPE.
The politics OF Europe today are in a
very peculiar condition. The word
politics" has scarcely the significance
in this country which attaches to it in
the old world. Here it means simply a
contention as to which of two or more
parties shall be entrusted with the ad-
ministratlon of the affairs of country
which is at peace with all the world,
and which is likely to remain so for an
indefinite time.
In Europe the case is far different.
The map Of Europe hasundergone many
changes during the past thirty years,
and it is liable to undergo great many
more. The spectacular and exciting
Crimean war was more remarkable for
the changes it averted than for those it
accomplished. The Franco-Austrian
war, with Victor Emanuel as the prin-
cipal party in interest, in effect solidi-
fed the Italian nation. and gave it
something of the port and significance
of the Rome OF old--with of course the
qualification that the world outside of
Rome and Italy is avery different thing
from the world of the Caesars. The war
between Prussia and Austria over the
possession of the sduchy of Schleswig-
Holstein showed that Austria and
Prussia had reversed their old time,
immemorial relations, with the Ho-
.henzollerns ON the front and the
Hapsburgs on the back seat. The
Franco Prussian war did a number OF
things of vital significance. 1t restored
Alsace and Lorraine to Germany, andit
did two other things Of sensational inter-
national interest. 1t created the North
German Empire, with more than the
significance of the old Holy Roman EN-
pire, which the first Napoleon abolished
and replaced with the Empire Of Aus
tria and the confederation of the Rhine,
and it created the French Republic,
whose status in the affairs of the world
is vet to be established. The Russo
Turkish war was important, but not
in any sense decisive. 1t enabled Rus
sia to become dominant in many of the
Slavic countries in, Turkey and border
ing on Turkey, and to abrogate certain
features of the treaty which followed
the Crimean war which crippled the
Gar, in the Black Sea.
The events which we have briefly re-
capitulated form the very life-blood of
European politics during the past thirty
five years. There have been ecclesi-
astical agitations in Germany and Italy
which have hinged upon these great
political changes. The pope, in the
vatican, faces the king of Italy, in the
qnirinal. The Irish question has been
thrown with great momentum into the
politics of Great Britain. The dreibund
emerged as result of the Franco
Prussian war. There has been feeling
in the Slavonic nations of Europe which
has answered somewhat to the perennial
agitation of Ireland. Allowing for these
issues, we have clearly defined every
thing that has been worthy of note in
Europe until the other day.
A short time ago the dreibund ex-
pired by limitation. 1t has been re-
newed. Not only that, but Lord Sails
bury seems to have committed England
to the alliance. Since he has done 30
the only "bye"election held in England,
that of Wisbech, to the surprise of every
body, has been carried by the Liberals.
There is no doubt that if the Conserva-
tives had carried this election it would
have been hailed by Salisbury and his
partizans as popular approval of the
Tory afiliation with the dreibund. As
it went the other way, however, it is
only fair to assume hat the glamour of
Emperor Wilhelm's visit to England,
was confined to the court party of Great
Britain.
On the surface, that would indeed be
most puissant alliance which should
embrace England, Germany. Austria and
Italy. In the first place. Germany her
self, now as always, and more thorough
| ly now than eves,. is tremendous
power. In war which should be dis
tinctively not one of aggression, her
military ornaments, with the approved
valor OF her people, could almost stand
against world in arms. Put, in q war
of aggrandizement, the case would be
altered. Prussia has been quite doml-
Inserting in her control of the affairs ol
the North German Empire, and the
Southern Germans are, to great ex-
tent, discontented.
| Alsace and Lorraine are elements OF
weakness instead of strength. Singu-
larly enough, although both German in
origin, they both remain faithful to
France. As
| Austria is the most composite empire
in Europe. Made up OF Germans, Slavs,
Magyars and Czechs. there is no really
strong cohesive element in its constitu-
ton. 1t is in this fact that we find the
solution of the vacillating course of
Austria, and her readiness to betray her
allies, if occasion should serve.
Italy is country which has been dis
severed for centuries. and which has
scarcely yet had time to solidify her
strength. In no nation in Europe ex-
cept France is there so strong repub-
| licou claimant oc in tho 1ooo;psoro of