The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-01-25
VERY IMPROBABLE.

There are always Tumors of war floating
about in Europe. They serve the purpose
of keeping up fluctuations on the b0urSes,
and also afford a pivot 20 much ingenious
writing in the newspapers. The latest SON
Sati0n purpOrts to emafate from Berlin, and
possibly it has a hidden, Inc aiming in the ef-
feet it might have in eXpeditiDg the passage
of the army bill. Russia is said to be mass
ing troops on the Polish frontier with a
view to commencing war against Germany
in the spring France is 10 cooperate by
invading from the west. Germany is to be
ground down very fine between the upper
and the neither milestone, and the lost prov
inces of France are TO be recovered. 1t is a
pretty programme, but who has author
lied IL?
Russia. it may be observed, is always
massing its army on a European frontier.
Two or three years ago there was alarm at
the camps of troops on the Galician frontier.
Then it was Austria which was threatened,
and troops were marched into GalicIa to
checkmate the movement. But nothing
came of it. Whether Russia had any in
tention or not of shifting Austria. she was
not then prepared for war, nor is she now.
A war with Germany would be very I'M
provoked and doubtful in the issue, even
with all the strength that France could
throw into the fight. What real cause Of
quarrel has Russia with Germany, W tich
has been inclined not to interfere too much
in the Balkans? France may smart under
feelings of grievance left as legacy from
the war Of 1870 but Russia can complain of
nothing. 1t is no excuse to break the peace
that the Russian army is fretiing under ill.,
activity.
Ii the Gar plunges Europe into nostilities
at this moment he is bolder and more
callous man than people take him TO be.
The country has been devastated by fam
ine and will again over a large area be
swept by famine this year. Cholera has
ragged and viii rage again, it is feared, car
rying off thousands of victims. Russia is
without money and cannot borrow on easy
terms. Berlin will not accommodate It, nor
London. Paris may. The Russian officers
have some standing in their profession. but
the Russian soldier, brave and hardy, is
not much higher in education than the peas
antry, ana is equipped with an old type Of
rife. The army does not compare with
that of Germany for a moment. In ed
ucatiOn tie German people are ahead Of all
Europe, England not excepted, although the
tAtttl bdo tue btFtiu pOSiltUH diQ ID olthu-
lily gaining. Education counts for much in
war. even with private soldiers. Then the
German army staff is believed to be ahead
of any in Europe. France undoubtedly has
made great strides in army efficiency
Never has she had an army equal TO the
one she now possesses. but the education
of the men is much below the standard of
Germany, and the staff Is also believed to
I
not learn foreign language Eng
fish, German nor Russian. and so their
range of professional studies is limited. On
The other hand the German officer. even Of
low rank, is familiar with French and Eng
lish, and large number know Russian and
Polish. In short a German officer is usu-
ally at home in any country. 1t may be
taken for granted that Germany is prepared
for any eventuality, and she may have the
assistance Of Austria and Italy IL pressed to
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