The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-08

|
article In question states that the Rus
sian Government has for some time past
been Withdrawing all its gold credits In
every part OF Europe to ST. Petersburg
where Il now has banked UP an immense
sum OF gold coin. Having asked what
this means It adds. taking all these
facts into consideration. the natural
reply TO the question why Russia accumu-
| lates gold is that she is preparing for
war"
The Saturday Review Is one OF the
most conservative papers published in
| England and is not likely to be carried
Oft It's feet by anything sensational We
are disposed to think then that 1t has
grounds for its opinion. There can be
no question that Russia is the prime
and original cause for the vast arma-
ments that the Governments OF Europe
feel compelled to keep up. Russia, des-
potic and capable Of managing ner popu-
| lation as she pleases, keeps up an inn
rnense standing army for her own rea-
| sons. This threatens her neighbor, Ger
many. which is, in turn, compelled 10
keep up a similar one as measure OF
self defense This OF course, threatens
France and all the other continental
powers, which are thereby likewise COM
PEELED to hold themselves always in
readiness for war. The seat Of the dis
ease, though. Hes In Russia, and Europe
will never be able TO disarm until some
means cen be found for compelling Rus
sIa to do so.
In those luminous and powerful con-
VIBRATIONS OF Napoleon Bonaparte at 81.
Helena which Las Cases has recorded he
often discussed his invasion Of Russia,
and he always maintained that 1t was n
defensive war forced upon him. He said
that Russia was n perpetual menace to
the peace of Europe, and that there
could never be tranquility in Europe
until Russia was compelled to come into
a general European system, and that he
undertook the war with her to compel
her to accept this situation. In his con-
versation on November 6. 1916, Las Cases
records him thus:
"The Emperor next adverted to what
he called the admirable situation OF Rus
STA against the rest of Europe, to the
immense mass she possessed for invas
ion He represented that power
seated beneath the pole. and
backed by eternal bulwarks Of
Ice. which, in case OF need. would
render her inaccessible Russia, he said.
could oily be attacked during one-third
or fourth OF the year. while. on the con-
trary, she had the whole year the whole
twelve months, to act against us; her
ASSISTANTS would encounter the rigors and
privations of a frigid climate ard a bar
rem soil. v lille her troops, pouring down
upon us, would enjoy the fertility and
charms OF our southern region.
Who can avoid shudderlng. he said. at
the thought OF such a vast mass, unns-
galable either on the TANKS or In the
rear, descending upon us with impunity;
if triumphant overwhelming everything
in its course; or. II defeated. retiring
amidst the cold and desolation. that may
be called It's reserves I'm case OF defeat;
and possessing every facility for Issuing
forth again at future opportunity"
We wish space permitted us to copy
more of his powerful and interesting re-
marks on the theme
What is Europe to do to protect herself
against this standing menace to her peace
and order? Perhaps, the remedy will
come out OF certain suggestions that have
recently been made by Lord Wolseley. one
of the ranking officers OF the British
army. Lord Wolseley says that the Chi
naman contains more elements OF the
on the face Of the globe. He can endure
fatigues and privations that will kill the
people OF any other race. and live mean
while on a handful Of rice. His education
and breeding and religion teach him TO
lay down his life at the command OF his
superior with the same equanlmity as II
going 10 drill, and his numbers are as the
sands Of the seashore. Lord Wolseley
suggests that an army Of Chinese, OFF,
cered by Europeans, could march over
all Of Europe. China is Russia's neigh
Dor, and in a perpetual state of friction
on account Of Russian aggressions upon
her frontiers Would II be surprising II
the outcome Of the present forced and
strained condition Of things, for which
Russia is really the responsible party.
should be that all Europe made common
cause with China to force Russia to live
on terms Of amity and good conduct with
her nelghbors?
Such a Chinese army as Lord Wolseley
suggests, invading Russia from the east,
at the opening Of summer, whilst she was
vigorously attacked from the west by
Austria, Germany and England, would
perhaps. have a very different outcome
from the invasion by Napoleon in 1872.
And We should remember, in contemplate
ing Wolseley's suggestion, that the great
Napoleon, master OF war intended, II Sir
Sydney Smith had not arrested his course
at st. Jean Dare, to have armed the
children Of the desert, and. ohicered by
his French soldiers, to have invaded and
defed all Europe with his heterogeneous
army, as soon as he arrived, In his march
around the Mediterranean, at CONSTANT
nople.
TIE replies which all the members Of
the English Cabinet have sent to the
Lord Mayor of London declining to ac-
cept the invitation which he has extended
to them in accord with an immemorial
custom, 20 attend the banquet to be given
at the Guild Hall on his Inauguration,
have a more important significance than