Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1892-12-21
WAR IN EUROPE.


which it is written, says Henry Labou-
cherc in the North American Review.
At no period since the cru of the great
Napoleon have there been such vast
armies in Europe, and either the CONT
mental powers must reduce their forces
or they will soon, one and all, be
ruined. The richest country is France,
but there cthc taxation is enormous.
Both Austria and Germany arc compar-
ativcly poor; Russia's credit is only
maintained by the French being ready
to buy its bonds; Italy is practically
bankrupt already, and, notwithstand-
ing this, all these countries arc engaged
in an insane struggle to compete with
each other in amassing the material to
wage u successful war.
If war docs occur it will not in all
probability be entered into of dclibcr-
ate design. Some foolish word will be
spoken; this will lead to further words.
The passions will como into play, troops
will be advanced to the respective
frontiers of two states, then there will
be Il collision, and the whole of the
continent will be in flames. One thing
Is certain: the present ''arrncd peace"
cannot Ctcrnally exist. Either the
continent must bring it to an end by
war or by rcvcrting to real peace
policy. Wore there Il conflict between
France AMI Russia on one side, and
Austria, Germany and Italy on the
other, it is by no means certain that
the latter would come out the victor3.
The French army Is thoroughly rcorgan-
lied, and the French soldiers, when
properly commanded, are the best on
the continent. EuS3ia has an endless
reserve from which TO draw soldiers,
and tho Russians have more staying
power than the Gcrlnaus. On the other
hand, if we arc to judge by experience,
tho Au3trianS and the Italians make
but poor soldiers, and the Germans, al
though probably their armies arc moro
perfect, viewed as military machines,
than any other Europe, have lost many
moro battles than they have won, and
one serious reverse would lead to the
diaintcgration of the new German en-
pirc.
The most dangerous man to the Eu-
rOpcan peace Is tho German emperor.
He is q craCli. Drained PruSsian licutrn-
ant, and m emperor by the irony Of
fate. liIs grandfather was under the
drluSion that lie was the viccrcgcnt
of Providence as regards Germany; III
this youth the illusion has taken the
form that he is placed by Providence on
the German throne to regulate not only
the affairs Of that country, but of the en-
tire world. lie is flighty and unstable
to an extraordinary degree. His idea
Of peace is that 1t should be n German
peace imposed upon Europe. Tic sci.
dom makes Il speech without ANNOUNCE
ing that he will "smush'' all who de-
cline to accept his views, and at any
moment he is capable Of translaLing his
words into deeds and dragging those
who have been silly enough to become
his allies into war.
The French will never permanently
accept the loss of Alsacc and Lorraine,
but they arc not likely to prccipitate a
struggle for the rcacquisition of these
provinces without the aid Of some
other power, and the only power likely
to help them is Russia. But the car
himself is SO strongly disposed to peace
that he would hesitate long before en-
brOiling Europe in war with France rs
his ally. The Franco-Russiau under
standing. however, will probably lead
tho German emperor to cs2hew all
thought of setting out on n march
to Paris in order to prevent France
from becoming as strong rs she former
~ was; indeed, the moment when such
al expedition was possible has passed
away. Austria, moreover, although she
may have joined the triple alliance,
| will always discourage resort to arms,
and in Italy there is growing up so
strong feeling against the country bc.
| ing 4 party to this alliance, that it is
doubtful whether any Italian minister
could give effect to its stipulations, all
the more since the italians have real
lied that they will obtain no material
support from us. Although, therefore,
armed to the teeth, any continental
power breads war, not exactly knowing
| what may como Of it. There are, how
| ever, SO many questions" in Europe;
there is such rivalry and hatred be-
tween the continental poweTs-there
Tnnnu Yno1 oa,1cne. for 1iPcrnnoo.