The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-05
EUROPE READY FOR WAR
Germany and Russia Are at Dagger's
Points Already.
ONLY A SMALL SPARK NEEDED.
The Appearance of Peace IL Deceptive
The Balkan Question May Precipitate
the Greatest and Most Disastrous
War of the Century.

PARIS, Dec. 5.-Europe is on the verge
of war the most disastrous and the most
decisive ever waged. The Franco Russian
alliance has tended rather TO lessen the
prospects OF struggle involving the
whole continent than TO increase them,
and has balanced the triple ALI
ance OF Germany, Austria and Italy.
Viewed supericially the permanent
Hanger OF general war has diminished,
aggressive ideas have been calmel and
tempered by reflection on the inevitable
consequences OF such struggle. France
does not give up the hope of regaining
Alsace and Lorraine and placing them
under her flag, aud she will never give it
up. II Is argued that she counts rather
On the results of some unforeseen diplo-
macy than on the decision or war TO
crafty this hope.
Russia is apparently satisfied with hav-
ing made Germany feel that Berlin had
once more TO reckon with St. Petersburg,
and that she was In too great "A hurry to
consider herself az the absolute arbiter of
the world. Moreover, the terrible famine
last winter and the terrible epidemic that
ravaged the Russian empire from the
commencement OF the year nave increased
her expenses and diminished her receipts
to such degree that economy becomes a
strict necessity. The financial embarrass-
ments are such that new loan appears
Inevitable, aud the Gar is Obliged to
subordinate the external policy TO the
internal.
A small party in Italy keeps up war
Ike policy, inaugurated by Crispi. who
cherishes the hope Of recapturing Trieste
from Austria and Nice from France
Iha Enlnarnr nf Austria qain "A faxy
days ago in AN official address: Tine
need of repose in nations and the care of
material well-being tend incontestably to
introduce moderation in international
relations"
But the situation remains abnorm al,
restless and uneasy. While the question
of Alsace- Lorraine has ceased to be the
great danger, and is not the one which
will fire the magaZn nes, it has created n
state of things In which there is no more
room for anything except international
lealouses aud continual antagouisms.
Under this material peace we find bad
feeling increasing, rivalries becoming
more envenomed, disUrusts growing, and
the belief gaining ground That the least
unexpected incident might precipitate
the conflict. Moreover, il is also foreseeu
that no matter where the struggle begins,
and whatever may be the occasion OF IL,
IL will become almost inevitably the STARE
will spread over all Europe, with the
single exception perhaps OF Spain--
The antagonisms between Russia and
Germany are multiplied TO such an ex-
tent that they take on the character of
bad feeling and almost unbridled hos
tiiity. Everything is ready for war, and
nothing is wanting except the casus belli
TO bring it on; and the question of the
Balkans may furnish that any moment.
The Czar tolerates with resentment the
neutrality-suspicious. that European diplo
macy has conferred upon Bulgaria, leav-
Ing IL only the appearance OF nominal
vassal OF Turkey, and he is little disposed
TO permit this neutrality-suspicious. TO be
changed into complete independence by
the establishment of Bulgarian mon
archy. which would Immediately become
an auxiliary of Germanism, an instru-
ment OF the Triple Alliance, and conse-
quently an anti-Russlan element in the
European balance.