Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-11-27
The Pope and Disarmament.

There seems reason to anticipate that
the Vatican will in the near future play
more important part in European affairs
than it has done for some years. 1t IS
said that both the German and the Aus
trian governments are seeking to obtain
the influence of the Pope to prevent
close alliance between Russia and France
and bring about consequent r0pproc'e-
nert between France aud Germany; also
that England is expected TO cooperate
with the Holy See in thus securing the
isolation of Russia.
IL this movement should take practical
shape it would prove a long step IN the
direction of partial disarmament IN Eu-
rope-a consummation most devoutly to
be wished. All European statesmen re-
cognize that the hfe-blood of the CONT
mental powers IS being sapped by their
present military Establishments. But they
also recognize that the present conditions
render these military establishments ne
cessity of public safety, and that the
maximum Of demand upon the producing
power of the people for military material
has not yet been reached. The alterua-
tives which present themselves are a gen.
eral fight TO tho finish, or a reduction Of
armles, and the problem IS, which of these
would afford the surest guarantee of long
peace?
Should LEO succeed with the assistance
OF England in raising a permanent barrier
between France and Russia, isolating the
latter and placing the former in position
where she would be compelled to accept
overtures OF reconciliation from Germany,
be would merit the gratitude of millions
He would prove benefGctor not only to
the masses IN Germany, Austria-Hungary,
and Italy. but TO the masses IN the Balkan
States and France as well. The French
people having once submitted to the inevi-
table, reduction of the military effective
Of Western and Central Europe could be
made and still leave at command force
which, with the cooperation OF Great Bril-
tam, would ensure the quiet or summary
defeat of Russia. Not only this, it would
enable thousands, the best years of whose
lives are spent IN barracks or in camp and
who are a charge upon their respective IA.
tions TO become producers.
However, it must DO conceded that the
proposed undertaking is not one that car
be contemplated with very sanguine hope
OF success, particularly at this juncture
Unnatural as would be an alliance between
ultra-despotic Russia and republican
France, there are tremendous difficulties
in the way of forcing Russia into an atti
tude in which she would have to relinquisl
the prospect of French assistance in cas'
Of a general war. Moreover, the spirit o
the French press shows conclusively tina
1t has taken heart from CApRryI's speech
on the new German army bill Indeed
the leading Paris papers are not onll
endeavoring to produce the impression
upon the French people that his utter
snces were an acknowledgment that Ger
many has lost the military supremacy o
Europe. but their tone is calculsted e
arouse o feeling in favor OF the measure
among the German people and antagoniz
the other parties 10 the triple alliance. IL
that event Germany and her allies may de
termine that the shortest and most efec
tive way TO peace 10 through another war
and therefore relinquish the policy ol
seeking the Intervention OF the Vatican.