The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1891-05-26
EUROPEAN COMPLICATIONS.

it is reported, has just been signed,
may prove of vast Importance to
the whole mercantile world is de-
ranging the accustomed course of
trade, and establishing artifcially
new set of conditions differing
from and largely opposed that
which had established itself by the
mere force of international conve-
nience as developed in the course of
many years, and sanctioned by the
assent of many international agree
ments.
By the reported German Aus
trian treaty provision is made for
treating with other powers reci-
procally, and it is proposed to offer
Russia the benefits of differential
tariff.
It is further announced that the
first named two powers have in
vited Italy, Switzerland and Bel
gium to join in a convention in
VIENNA for the avowed purpose of
forming a coalition of central Eu-
ropean States against protectionist
countries.
But it would seem that Difficult
ties almost insuperable arise In the
way of this scheme from the very
inception. Russia indeed will
gladly join in anything that will
help her to the dearest object of
her abmition, the confscation and
annexation of all southeastern Eu-
rope to the Bosphoros and in due
time the Dardanelles and an "out-
let in the neighborhood of Sa-
lonica. This is directly opposed to
the interests of Austria, huge
heterogeneous empire without any
seaboard at all except portion of
one coast of the Adriatic, and only
one seaport Of Importance, Trieste,
in the furthest corner of the Adria-
tic, close to the recently-ceded pro-
vince of Venetia, and watched over
greedily by Italy to which it is
only a part of Unredeemed Italy.
Austria then also covets the " out
let " of Salonica.
Again, Austria would not like to
see both banks of the Danube, to |
its mouths, in the Black Sea, in the
hands of Russia.
Great Britain would make very
urgent objections to the south east
ward course of Russia and would
no doubt gladly extend the bound
airy of Greece eastward or of
Austria either east or south to hold
Russia in check, and give Bulgaria,
Servia and Roumania time TO reach
4 mature independence,
Italy in contrast with Austria is
almost all seaboard, and notwith-
standing her magnificent navy is
hardly a match for France, con-
tiguous as she is both by land and
sea, and looks to her position in
the Triple Alliance for preserva-
ton, and moreover she cannot do
France in q commercial
point of view as France is her larg-
est customer and in many respects :
field of supply.
Germany, according to Prince
Bismarck's policy, cares nothing
about the action of Russia in south !
eastern Europe, provided only her ;
eastern boundary be secure and she
be left with a free hand to attend
% France in the event of war of J
France on the other hand has an
immense seaboard and can trade,
II strike hard if need be, from her
or her Atlantic
ports, but she is a large food inn
porter. Russia pours her surplus
wheat by thousands of tons from
odessa through the Dardanelles,
md must needs have a market. t
and even Egypt are COM \
,etlng for the wheat market of fl
europe more and more keenly
very year, and the central and b
Eastern countries will be likely to
uffer more when confined so large
7 as they must be to land traffic
han France with her ample coasts