The herald., 1893-12-08
The Strained Condition Of
Affairs in Europe.
All the Powers Preparing for a
Great Conflict.
Russia Wants Constantinople and Is
Going to Take 1t.
France Means to Get Back AIsace.Lor.
raine and Is Better Fitted to
Fight Than Ever Before.
War Is Inevitable.

copyrighted 1893, by the Associated Press.
LONDON, Dec. 7.-An important dis
patch from Vienna, which the Times
printed this morning, set forth that the
Russian government had declared Ii
imperative that the Killa, an arm of
the Danube, be made navigable; the
object OF which demand was to secure
the exemption of the Killa branch frona
the control OF the Danube commission,
and served to attract renewed attention
to the situation of affairs in Europe,
which would need only spark to kindle
into flame. That the various countries
are fully alive to the difficulties ahead.
there can be no doubt, and numerous
incidents have come to light within the
past few days which indicate that all
the powers are making preparations to
meet any emergency.
In connection with these recent de-
velopments, the statement made today,
on the authority of the Westminster
Gazette. that five new battleehips, frat
class cruiser and number OF smaller
vessels have been ordered to augment
the British navy, is not without signi-
ficance.
The Globe tonight, commenting on
the Times dispatch, asks If we are en-
the eve of revival of the state of things
produced by the Crimean war, and says
Russia's demand that the Kilia be made
navigable is the most alarming OF the
ugly portents of trouble which have
been numerous of late.
At the request of the Associated Press
correspondent. Poultnen Bigelow. whose
intimate relations with the highest off,
cials OF Germany is well known, and
who has just returned to London after
stay of several months in Germany,
wrote the following on the situation'in
Europe:
Russia wants Constantinople, and is
preparing to take it. Russia cannot
succeed in accomplishing this desire
without first fighting Austria. She cam
not fight Austria without fighting Cor
many at the game time. Russia wanta
the mouth OF the Dfsluhe, desire as
strange as if France should wish to re-
occupy Louisiana. Russia, therefore,
has one enemy particularly IN mind.
that is Germany. In this hatred OF Ger
many was born the comical friendship
between Russia and France, for France
means to get back Alsace-L Lorraine.
That France is thirsting for war admits
OF scant doubt to those who saw the de-
lirious behavior of the French people in
welcoming the Russian sailors at Toulon
and Paris; nor is there any doubt that
she is now better fitted for war than she
has ever been. Russia sounded France
and was we'll satisfied with the result.
When war 10 declared the two are one,
army and navy.
'rhe Russian government has now
maesed all its active army west OF Mos
COW and the great bulk in Poland is
prosecuting the German language and
| Lutheran religion In the Baltic prov
inces, and is tanning, rather than allay-
ing, the prevailing hatred OF Germany.
Russia has been observing great
secrecy of late IN regard to its move
meats on railways. Some times several
days have passed when all traffic on
roads has been stopped, save govern
ment. Oddly enough the money she
| haa been spending upon forts and stores
| has nearly ell been expended against
the German frontier. Sne knows she
must settle with Germany before she
can get the Bosporus. The German
emperor, meanwhile, is awake and
knows what il passing about him. but
knows elso that he has much to lose
and little to gain by a euccessiui CAM
paign. German business men feel this
zoo, and that the next war will be
largely devoted to pulling chestnuts out
of the fire for England"