The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-07-26
The Outlook in Europe.

The Outlook in Europe.
While it is not true that IL calm is
always followed by n storm, all severe
storms, we believe, are preceded by IL
calm. This weather rule has been so gen
orally admitted that it is not unfrcquently
applied 10 the peace of the world and ut
no time was it ever more applicable than
today.
For centuries there were never appar-
emily as many peaceable nations and men
as there are today. The eastern
and western hemisphercs seem
to be III q dead calm of
peace and this peace seems to cover
alike heathen and civilized countries But
when you look closely under the cover
of this peaceful calm, we find the nations
Of the earth better prepared for war than
they have ever been. There is not
nation that Is not better prepared for war
than it ever was, and this applies to Italy
rs compared with the time when Rome
was mistress of the world France has
q standing army of over five hundred
thousand soldiers and can mobilize
3,060,000 soldiers in case of war. She
has a fleet of 5S7 ships to put in line of
battle, and has over seventy more under
construction. England, Germany, Aus
tria, Italy and Russia are equally as well
prepared for war What does it mean?
we ask. The answer is plain. The men
who govern these countries do not be-
lieve this peace will last and they are
getting ready for the struggle. 1t makes
no difference what diplomats may say,
actions speak the truth more surely than
the words of diplomats.
Ex-Prime Minister Crispi in a recent
article in The North American Review,
on the situation in Italy, makes use of
tho following significant language:
mo one can determine the day when
war Will break out There is, however,
every indication that it Is inevitable; and
| do not, In looking around, see single
government in Europe strong enough to
prevent it. The defeats of 1870, causing
u hatred unforgotten in the course of
years, are preparing the hour of revenge.
And this feeling of revenge is not only
directed against Germany, but also
against those nations that did
not then hasten to the aid
Of France. *"* The Franco Russian
alliance is q danger to the liberty of
Europe-France sought and obtained this
alliance not for the benefit of other ma
tionalites, but for their tletrimcnt."
Such an opinion from one "f The states
men of Europe, who testiiies voluntarily
and not even as an officer of his govern
ment, is entitled to great weight, and we
believe he is right in his predictions, and
that the peace of the world is liable to
be disturbed at any moment. What q
war it will be when it comes! The
approved and improved appliances for
army and navy warfare are one of the
wonders of the present day-they are har-
Messing the lightning, to add its fury to
the thunder of the cannon. 1t may not be
the great Armageddon that the prophets
say is still in the future, but it will be
greater than any war that ever despoiled
and devastated the world.
Let us hope that the Italian statesman
may be wrong, and that peace may con-
tinue; even If we do hear as many bic1-
erings, heartburnings and minor troubles
i'll peace as in war. One month of var in
Europe, while it would help America,
would cause more trouble and suffering