St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-30

llohGltI HAS OecOHle DrlSIlllg array OF
! bayonets, and each strategic point along
the line frowns with battlements punct-
ualed by portfolios, from which cannon
protrude with grim and awful portent
Ihe Baltic is alive with vessels of war
which patrol the coast, <watchful of
every movement of the opposing fleets,
and looking for points of vantage that
may be useful in a coming emergency.
Besides her jealousy of the encroach-
mentS of Germany on her frontier. Rus
STA has grievance against Austria, the
second member of the alliance. AS
result of the Russo Turkish war the
provinces of Montenegro and HerZego-
vina were detached from the Ottoman
empire, but instead of being absorbed
by the conquering Muscovite were given
by the Berlin arbitrator to Austria.
IhlS result. attained nominally as
means of preserving the balance of
power has always been regarded by
the Russians as robbery. For Austria
was non-combatant in that famous
struggle, and in equity was entitled to
none of the spoils of war. In addition
to this, Russla's main object in prose-
cutting the war-lhe obtaining of access
for her fleet to the MediterraHean-wa
defeated through the opposition, mainly,
OF Germany and Austria, although
Great Britain had not incOnsiderable
part in bringing about that result.
Thus, while Germany and Austria
profted largely from Russia's agrees
sions upon Turkey, the czar's ambitions
fpIlnd n dirontinn nd
adding few small provinces of no par
ticular value from either an economic
or strategic standpoint, he gained moth
Ing for the vast expenditure caused by
the war
The grievance of France against Ger
many is too recent 10 require recapitu-
latlon. Gallo hostility to Austria is of
long standing, also; but, even if 1t were
otherwise, the close relations existing
between the two German empires would
be sufficient to create feeling of re-
sentiment in the breasts of ali French
men. While motives of self-protection
and mutual interest are sufficient to
bind Germany and Austria together,
Jealousy and revenge are potent factors
in cementing the friendship of Russia
and France and inducing an alliance
that bodies no good to the German
states. And the coming marshaling of
Russia'S fleet in the harbor of Toulon is
a notice to the world that such an al
lance has been accomplished, and
warning that ere long there will be such
a trial of strength as has never before
been witnessed in the history of the
world
All of the powers in interest have
long been aware of the tendency of
events, and have been preparing for
the conflict, which each acknowledges
to be inevitable. The army of France
is stronger in numbers and armament
than ever before, while its morale is
admirable. Russia has fleet on the
Baltic that is as large as can be effect
lively used, while the army in numbers
is greater than at any time in the his
tory of the nation. No happier fate can
befall the average Russian soldier than
to die on the field of battle, fighting for
his father" as the cZar is called; and
their bravery is beyond any question.
Recent loans negotiated in France and
England have given the government an
abundance of means, that have been EN-
ployed in improving the armament of the
troops and strengthening the defenses
in every direction. Germany and Austria
each have magnificent armies. equipped
with the best implements of modern
warfare, while their navies have been
strengthened by the addition of many
ironclads and torpedo boats. Never
before has Europe been in such excel
lent fighting trim, and when the struggle
comes it will be battle of giants for a
stake of mOmentous Importance, not
only to the participants themselves, but
to the whole of Europe.
1t would take prescience greater
than that which human beings possess
to correctly predict the outcome. The
advantage at present seems to rest with
the Gaul and the Museovite, for these
are undiSturbed by domestic diSseu-
slons, and are animated by the over
mastering passions engendered by con-
scious wrong suffered at the hands of
their adversaries. But it will not be
long, if present occurrences presage the
future, ere the gage of battle will be
flung in the faces of the contending
forces, and the struggle for control of
the continent of Europe will have be-
gun.