Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-08-22

Whether there VIII speedily - ~
in Europe Is . question that no ons can
answer. or rather ono In regard 70
which no answer u worth the paper on
which Il Is written. says Henry LAboo-
cherc in the North American Review.
Al NO period since the era Of the great
Napoleon have there been such vast
armies In Europe, and either the conta-
mental powers must reduce their forces
or they Will soon, ono and al. %
ruined. The richest country Is France.
but there sthe taxation Il enormous
both Austria and Germany arc compar>
atively poor; Russia's credit Is only
maintained, by the French being ready
10 buy its bonds; Italy is practically
bankrupt already. and. notwithstand-
ins this. all these countries are engaged
In an insane struggle 10 compete with
sach other in amassing The material 70
wage . successful war.
II war does occur il will not in all
/, probability be entered into OF delloer-
ate design. Some foolish word will be
spoken; this will lead Ia further words.
The passions will come into play, troops
will be advanced to the respective
frontiers of two states, then there will
be q collision. and the whole OF the
continent viii BE- in flames. One thing
is certain; the present ARMED peace
cannot eternally exist Either the
continent must bring ii To an end by
war or by reverting to real peace
policy. Were there aseontiict between
France and 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 victors.
The French army is thoroughly reorgan-
lied, and the Preach soldiers, when
properly commanded, are the best on
the continent. Russia has an endless
reserve from which to draw soldiers,
and the Russians have more staying
power than the Germans. On the other
| hand, If we are to judge by experience,
the Austrians and the Italians make
but poor soldiers, and the Germans, al
though probably their armies are more
perfect, viewed as military machines,
than any other Europe, have lost many
| more battles than they have won. ansi
one serious reverse would lead to the
oiSinterrdtiou u thc nc" uSihAoA ~AA
pire.
The most dangerous man to the Eu.
ropean peace is the German emperor,
He is crack Drained Prussian lieutep-
ant, and an emperor by the irony of
fate. His grandfather was under the
delusion that he was the vie.,rc.,cnt
of Providence as regards Germany; in
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 He is Tightly and unstable
to an extraordinary degree His idea
Of peace is that it should be q German
peace imposed upon Europe. He sell
dom makes a speech without announc-
inr that he will smash" all who de-
cline to accept his views, and ut any
moment he is capable of TRANSMITTING 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 Alsace and Lorraine,
but they are not likely to precipitate a
trugglc for the reacquisition of these
provinces without the aid of some
other power, and the only power likely
10 help them is Russia. But the czar
himself is SO strongly disposed to peace
that he would hesitate long before EN-
broiling Europe in war with France as
his ally. The Franco-Russian under
standing. however, will probably lead
the German emperor to eschew all
Thought Of setting out on march
to Paris in order to prevent France
from becoming rs strong as she former
" was: indeed, the moment when such
IN expedition was possible has passed
way. Austria. moreover, although she
may have joined the triple alliance.
win always discourage a resort to arms,
and in Italy there is growing up so
strong feeling against the country be-
ing a party to this alliance, that IL Is
doubtful! whether any Italian minister
could give effect to its stipulatiops. 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 come of it. There are, how
ever, 80 many questions" in Europe;
there is such rivalry and hatred be-
tween the continental powers--thcrc
are so many real causes for difference:
the strain is SO great, and the cost of
huge ornaments so enormous that 1t is
difficult to believe that some spark will
combustion on fire.