The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-10-16

FRANCE READY TO FIGHT.

The enthusiastic reception given the
Russian feet at Touion raises anew the
old speculation whether Europe is soon to
be involved in q tremendous continental
war, which will iuvoive Italy, Germany,
Russia. Austria and probably servia. Rou-
mania and Bulgaria.
Sir Charles Dixie, probably the highest
English authority on international ques-
tions. denies that the cost Of the military
establishments now maintained by the
great powers OF Europe exceeds their re-
sources. and proves that there is no
ground for the current belief that the al
tentative of war Is bankruptcy. Russia
spends $40 600. 600 annually on her army,
but she comes nearer to paying her way
than she has for many years, and is
better able to sustain for q long period
the pressure OF military expenditure upon
her fiscal resources than she was twenty
i've years ago: she keeps today contin-
naliy under her colors double the number
OF soldiers kept In France or Germany.
Austria Is stronger In military and finan-
cial point of view than she has been for
many years and has no need 10 see in war
an escape from bankruptcy. Germany
spends annually $i9o. coo. 0oo on her army,
but her military burden is borne with
comparative ease. Italy has an enormous
debt and Is financially weak, but In event
OF war she is only expected To make a di-
version against the southeastern por-
tion of France. so as to detain a
considerable portion of the French army.
That Is, Italy will do for Germany against
France what she did in 1866 for Germany
against Austria. when she detained 1900
Austrian troops in Venice that otherwise
might have turned the scale in favor of
Austria in the great battle OF sadowa.
Italy can afford TO reduce her military ex.
penses. for she would only need 10000
men 10 make demonstration against
Ionion and Marssiilss. France spends
about 500. 0oo.0sso annually on her military
defense. England spends more money on
her army and navy than any one of the
great continental powers, for her annual
outlay for naval and military defense is
$50, 600
SIR Charles Dixie assemblies these facts
and reaches the conclusion that there is
no basis for the assumption that Eurore
~ confronted by the alternatives of bank.
ruptcy or war. II war breaks out il viii
lie because France wants TO fght today
because she believes SHE is a, last ready.
aud IL she is ever going 10 battle with Ger
many again the sooner she does so after
she is ready the better. because under the
system Of universal CONSUMPTION time is
working on the side OF Germany. which is
already much more ponuloas than France
and which Is increasing the disproporsion
every year, for the population of France is
stationary, il II is net diminishing.
The French believe their military es.ah-
ushment Is today the best in Earone as
regards discipline, equipment. tortlfca-
items and capacity tor mobilization of
troeps. The French military men arsue
that the test Of strength should not he sa-
isyed, since the French army il now CON-
sldered as Efficient As IL ever will ne. and II
10 believed they are emily waiting Tor 8
positive assurance of Russian cooperation
II the CEar shoa.d speak that word. TIA.
promise oE cooperation, tausorroS tha
armies Of France woala 10 In ustiar IA,
the Rhine. The car Of Russia is The A..
bitter OF peace or war in Earone today
France 10 ready, willing. eager for ba,,ts
The Russian foreign Office has already ev.
planned that the Slsit u the Russian aes,
10 1oesen has nc political significance
thai Il is simply an asknoN led srneat Of
the visit Of the French fleet t. CronstaBt
Doubtless this is true. hat ths visit ii the
Russian fleet will help TO create public
opinion ~ the ar4stoerasie and military
class in Russia thar the esar Of Russia
might and Il as impossible 90 resist As ala
Emperor Nicholas. wha las forced 60 an
dsrsaks the eTtmsAs war. and Alexander
the Second. sAea he reluctantly engaged
in shs barren eontsst of lssS-79wita Tut
hey.
l. Is well kaown tha, the essr has no
sympathy with the republican Institutions
81 Frsace, aud tAat Russia and France
are hereditary foes Ih.s does Hos conns
Tor much against shs pressure Of self
iEssrest
England aaa fsaaes had been hessa.