Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-22
EUROPEAN WAR CLOUDS.
Only Compulsory Military Service Has Tn,
Far Averted Hostilitfes.

EUROPEAN WAR CLOUDS.
Only Compulsory Military Service Has Thus
Far Averted Hostilities.
While would not have the readers Of the
Herald consider me pessimist or a bird Of
bad omen, says jacques st. Cere, the Paris cor
respondent Of the New York Herald, am
again compelled to say the situation Of Euro
pean affairs is far from reassuring.
Signs OF coming storms may be seen on all
sides Of the political horizon.
There is not a single country in Europe &C.
tually without interior or external turmoil
GERMANS ARMY BILL.
In Germany the situation is particularly bad.
The conflict between tho crown and the people
Is assuming an aggravated form, and it can be
brought to an end only by some unconstitu-
tionai act on the part Of the emperor, who
wishes an increase in the army. which the peo-
pie have refused to sanction. New deputies,
hostile to the imperial plan, will be elected
Grave news comes from Austria. There Is an
internal crisis, resulting from the constantly in
creasing ill-feeling between the Czechs, the Mag
vars and the Germans.
ENGLAND's TURMOIL.
In England the home rule troubles are in
creasing, not to mention certain recent hap
penings in the royal family, on which it were
better not to dwell
France, hardly out Of the Panama crisis. is
to have next September general elections
which will upset public life.
French statesmen also have to deal with sew
eral troublesome colonial matters. including
the Siamese incident. which may result
seriously, not to mention many complications
with England.
ITALY's CRUSHING LOAD.
Italy Is passing through financial crisis and
also has a ministerial crisis since yesterday The
internal situation is not suspicious and hel
foreign relations are weighted down BY the
amount Of the military expenses.
Spain and Portugal have financial crises
which are leading them surely and quickly te
bankruptcy.
Belgium has not come to the end of its con-
stitutional crisis.
NORWAY MAY sECEDE.
Sweden and Norway are in open conflict tina
may result in forcible division.
Servia's coup d'etat and little king have
brought no quiet.
Bulgaria is In the throes Of a long-standinR
crisis and there exists tacit hostility between
the people and Gen. Stambouloff.
TWO COUNTRIES SERENE.
In all Europe only Switzerland and Russia
are in their normal condition.
1t is fortunate that Russia is regularly de-
veoping at home, which is the best guarantees
Of peace.
But in any event can boldly declare that II
war were fought as it formerly was, with armies
composed OF professional soldiers, we should
have already had a war to get rid of all these
internal troubles.
DARE NOT TAKE THE STEP.
With obligatory personal service no country
dares to take the initiative.
1t is interesting to note that Switzerland, the
smallest and freest country in Europe, and
Russia. the largest and most tyrannical, are
alone In their usual condition.
This leads to the conclusion that in politics
only extremes result in the happiness Of the
people.
WHAT WILL BE DONE IN GERMANY.
Tn, Berlin correspondent Of the Herald sends
the following cable dispatch from that city:
1 have no reason to change my opinion. given
last week. to the effect that when the new
reichstag meets 1t will reject the military bill
with more decision than the last one.
This judgment has grown to a conviction
since have been travelling about the country
and have heard what people say.
CLASSES AGAINST THE MAssEs.
1t is apparent that the classes will vote for
the government or will abstain from voting.
while the masses will vote against it. In the
towns where l have been, such as Cologne Cob
lenz and Dusseldorf, and in the southern
states the center party are going to have it all
their ewn way, while elsewhere there are signs
partei. with Eugen Richter and the social demo-
Gratis with Bebel.
A POPULAR LEADER.
Richter is doing the giants work Of the cam
paign- He is q man whose herculean person
mt 81
feeling and forclble, rugged, oratorical effect
and unfearing utterances make him the most
popular and the most striking figure in this
fierce struggle. He has been the most persisten,
antagonist Of the right, to whom, with his pile
driving. fOrcible manner of attack and light
ning-like power Of repartee, he has been per-
feet terror.
He is swimming with the tide Of German
popular sentiment in the stream Of democracy,
one We shall probably find him navigating into
the swift going current of socialism. He il
very near 1t now.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
The question the people are now asking is,
"What will the kaiser do?" Here is the reply
given me: On the 2sth OF next month-unless
the date Of the reopening Of the reichstag be
changed-the kaiser will address the lower
house in person and will state that he con.
siders the military bill necessary for the safety
Of the country; that he counts upon the loyalty
of the members Of the reichstag to himself and
on their patriotism to the Vaterland to pass il
without delay.
With this will be made an intimaton that II
they disappoint him he will take into his own
hands the guardianship Of the honor and safety
of the country, as he will consent to no oppo-
sition on such vital matter.
DEFEAT AND DISSOLUTION.
Then the kaiser will retire and we may ex-
pect scene in the reichstag similar to those OF
the famous days Of 1868 and 1870. The vote
may be adjourned a few DAYS, but when taken
the bill will be rejected. Chancellor Won
Caprivi will at once dissolve the chamber.
Within forty-eight hours the kaiser will issue
proclamation saying that in the face of the
unpatriotic attitude Of the members Of the
reichstag he, in his imperial right declares the
military bill n law.
Where the appropriations will come from will
be a matter for the astute finance minister, Dr.
Miguel, to solve. He will do it. as he has always
found resources for new taxation up his sleeve
WHAT WILL THE PEOPLE DO?
What the country will do then gives room for
much speculation. An extraordinary appeal
has been made through the Cologne Gazette
for private subscriptions to pay the cos. of the
military bill independently Of the reichstag.
This excites some indignation and much merri-
ment.
1t has been stated by the government that the
southern princes all favor the military bill. The
Grand Duke of Baden however ia not that va "