The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-14
EUROPE'S WAR AT HAND.
GERMANY EXPECTS IT BY sPaINo
AT THE --LATEST.


Contracts Made With American Firms
for Supplies to be Used When
Hostilities Begiu-Federal Omcers
Interested in the Contracts
A letter has been received in this country
within the last few days, says the New Yor K
Times of Wednesday. from an officer on the
general staff of the German emperor which
declares In effect that war in Europe cannot
be postponed beyond next spring. The i'm
portance of this letter is all the greater in
view of the fact that It has been received by
an official high in the United States govern
ment
The communication ls understood to have
been dictated by the emperor himself. 1t
declares that there is no doubt about the
massing Of the troops Of the car on the
frontiers Of Austria, Germany aud Rou-
mania. 1t is known at the Berlin war Of
flee, 1t is said, that the Russian force posted
on the frontier represents 80 per cent. OF
the effective strength OF the Russian army
Only enough troops have been left in the
east aud in the interior to save the frontiers
from savage incursions aud to preserve or
der among the people.
The Russian troops facing toward the
west number $4,000 men, it is declared. A
hint Is also thrown out that the recent
ukase Of the ear forbidding the expectation
OF rye and wheat was for military and nor
for economical reasons. Siuce Aug. /,
100000 Russian troops, mostly light troops
and Cossack cavalry, have been thrown
into Southwestern Russia, the entire force
previous to Aug. 1, having been posted
in Eastern Russia. Over 600, 900 meu are
in position between Odessa and the Pruth
and Warsaw. Before the present moblli-
cation was effected the Russian war Office
established the line or supply station now
being used
The letter further points to the studied
manner IN which the czar recently evaded
the German emperor, the only inference 10
be placed upon this being the desire Of the
former to be under no obligations to the lat
ter. In the letter the opinion is expressed
that the peace Of Europe will never be as
sured until the pending war has been
fought and ended. and that war is inevita.
BILE so long as the present ornaments are
kept up.
The authenticity of the letter is unques-
toned. 1t is known that for como time the
German war Office has been in communion
ton with merican firms and has made ar
engagements for supplying the needs of the
German army in time of war. The arrange
ments, 10 order to be effected, had TO re-
ceive government sanction, and In conse-
quence there is every reason to believe that
several high officials in the United States
government ere interested in these specula-
lions. Whether these officials will retain
their office under the government in the
event OF European war remains to be
seen.
1t is known that nearly 100000 stand of
arms, with bayone,s attached, arc In readi-
n ha ia nd faP 4.
occurs. The arms are now stored in order
that the holders can name their own price.
They will be bought by some one Of the
smaller European countries when compelled
TO enter the conflict.
IL is known that the general arrangement
perfected by Emperor William, have
been made with New York house through
the efforts Of a United States federal officer.
The arrangement includes the furnishing of
saddles, blankets, belts, bread, biscuit, to-
baooo and sundry other articles. IN other
words, the New York house is practically
to corner supplies in the United States, SO
far as the European demand in case of war
IS concerned, aud this corner is to be con-
trolled by the German emperor. The COR
munlcations touching the future supplies
for the German army pass through the
hands OF the same goVernment official who
received the letter mentioned above. ThiI
officer Is said to be party 10 the contrac
and TO be one Of several other officers SINH
larly interested.
Arrangements have been concluded with
all the principal establishments for the man,
ufaoture Of war munitions In the United
States. These establishments are now
undar contract to the New York house
They include belt firms in Worcester, Mass
a couple of sword firms In Massachusetts
ssddlery establishments in New York, New
ark, n. j., and elsewhere; gun establish
ments in New York state, Connecticut ant
Massachusetts,; blanket establishments il
California, Pennsylvania, New York anC
Illinois; underwear firms in this city, Bos
ton, Philadelphia and Chicago, and pack
ing establishments in Chicago, st. Louis
Cincinnati and this city. IL needs only I
word from Emperor William to cause al
the material to be made available for Ger
man use,
For some time it has been generally recop
nized that European war would materially
benefit the United States. This fact ha
been known nowhere so we'll as In Europe
The United States has much to gain anc
little to lose. Its resources are the envy O.
continental powers. Outside Of close anC
well-informed circle, no one knew, though
that it fell to Emperor William first K
arrange plan for utilizing the resources O
this country. Even In time of war b.
should have little or no difficulty in obtain
ing his supplies once they are cleared
from the United states The readiness
with which cargoes are officially destined
to other than their real ports is familiar t,
all who watched the operations of the civil
war in the United States. Germany, &C
long as she is an ally Of Great Britain need
have little fear of a blockade, and the
breaking of that alliance alone will proven
complete contamination of Emperor
Williams plans. Such blockade can only
be effected by combination of the fleets O.
France and Russia against the navy o
Germany standing alone.