The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-11-17
THE COMING WAR IN EUROPE.
From the Washington Post

From the Washington Post.
The New York Times of yesterday
published synopsis of letter, of which
the authenticity is said to be unques
toned, from an officer on the staff Of
the Germen emperor to an official higf
in the government of the United States
The letter, which derives its importance
from the fact that it is understood te
have been dictated by the emperor him
self, declares in effect that war in Eu
rope cannot be postponed beyond next
spring.
1t is said to be known at the Berlin
war Office that go per cent. of the effec-
| tive strength of the Russian army is
massed on the frontiers of Austria, Ger
many, and Roumania, and that only
enough troops have been left in the east
to prevent savage incursions and TO pre-
serve order among the people, Between
| Odessa, the Pruth, and Warsaw there
are thus over 600, GOO men in position.
In. this connection it is alleged that
the czar's recent ukase prohibiting the
expectation of wheat and rye was is
sued for military rather than economic
reasons, and that the Russian war office
had established beforehand the line of
supply stations which have lately been
used in effecting the mobilization re-
ferred to. The studied evasion of the
German emperor by the Car in his
journal through Germany is an indication
of the distant attitude which he thinks
it best to assume. and, taken in connec-
ton with the massing of the Russian
army on the frontier, it shows not only a
readiness for, but a purpose of hostility.
The letter expresses the opinion that
the present ornaments make war in
evitable, and that the peace of Europe
will never be assured until the pending
war has been fought and ended.
1t is further stated that the German
war office has, with the sanction of the
American government, been in commu-
nication with American firms, and that
arrangements have been made for sup
plying the needs of the German army in
the event of war, Arms are now stored
for use when the time comes. Through
a United States Federal officer arrange
ments have been made with New York
firm for furnishing saddles, blankets,
belts, bread, biscuits, tobacco and sundry
other articles-in a word this New York
firm is to corner the surplus supply of
the United States and the German En-
peror is to control the corner. Contracts
have already been made with the princi-
pal manufacturers throughout the
country of war munitions, army sup
plies, and meat and bread products.
OF course, it will readily be seen that,
while a European war must involve ter
rible disaster to the nations Immediately
concerned, it would be of immense COM
mercial benefit to the United States. In
preparing for the struggle which he be-
heves to be inevitable, the German en-
peror shows both forethought and prac-
tical wisdom in making this country a
part of his base of supplies. So long as
England is the ally of Germany, the
latter country need fear no blockade,
and cargoes for the United States would |
have no trouble in reaching German |
ports. The officer who received the |
letter. giving these particulars is, with |
other high officials of this government, |
alleged TO be interested in, and to thave |
the management of these arrangements |
for furnishing supplies The general in- |
terests and immediate importance Of the |
letter itself lie in the fact that it seems |
70 show in an authentic way that the i
peace of Europe cannot much longer be
preserved