The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-11
Would England Be the victim9

Would England Be the victim2
simultaneously with the appearance OF a
Russian squadron In the Mediterranean
and the seeming confirmation OF an agree.
ment between Russia and France, comes
| the report OF widespread discomfort in In.
dia and OF partially successful attempts to
destroy the British military stores In the
northwestern section OF that country. That
these events are not unconnected is as
serted by German political review. the
GrenSboten. which declares that the primary
aim Of the coalition between the French re-
public and the Car is aggression against
England. and that, to save the latter power.
the Triple Alliance would not risk ship
or man. On the contrary. according to
the Grensboten. the three central powers
would look on with complacency while
England performed the function OF a light
ming rod and diverted from them the
scourge OF war.
Americans who recall the attitude OF Eng
land during our civil war would have no
sympathy to waste on her II, owing to
political isolation, she should be deprived
OF Egypt and of her Indian empire. and
sink intoa petty power. Not hand on this
side OF the Atlantic would be raised to help
her. and she would be lucky IL Ameli-
can counterparts Of the Alabama did not
play havoc with her commerce. 1t is. in
deed. as certain that the disruption Of the
British empire would inure signally to our
advantage as it is that the destruction of
our merchant navy during the war Of tho
rebellion led to an immense expansion Of
the British carrying trade. We can see.
however. no immediate prospect of such
retribution being visited upon Great
Britain. for we believe the statements of
tho Grensboien to be unfoundcd. even IL
they are sincere. 1t is probable. in truth.
that France and Russia may try to lessen
England's present ascendancy in the Medi-
tcrranean, with IL view OF rendering tho
Suez route dangerous in the event OF a war
In India. But the means employed for the
purpose are likely to be of a diplomatic and
indirect kind. Spain may be encouraged
to demand territorial! concessions in Mo-
rocco. so as to gain a strong position near
the mouth Of the Mediterranean. while ut
the other end OF the sea the kheuive and
his Turkish suzeruin may be urged to
demand the evacuation Of Egypt. But the
moment France and Russia pass from such
operations to direct hostilities against Eng
land. it would be IN act OF stupendous folly
for the Triple Alliance to leave the last
named power In the lurch. Once attacked.
England would be but too eager to become
an ally OF the central powers. and they
would never dream Of repelling the over
lures OF country which could not only
make them strong at sea. where at present
they are weak but give them unlimited Pc
cuniary supplies. which, in these days of
colossal armies. are. more than they ever
were. the sinews OF war. When we consider
how inevitable a general war is felt to be at
Berlin and Vienna. and how needful for
Italy it is that the crisis should come soon.
we cannot doubt that the union Of England
with the Triple Alliance would give the sig
nal for an immediate outbreak Of a titanic
struggle. Ships and money are the two
things lacking at present to the central pow
ers; let these be forthcoming. and it would
be madness to postpone trial Of strength
which is known to be unavoidable.
Such an utterance as that of the Grens-
boten sounds to us like a bird-call meant to
lure Russia and France into snare Should
those two powers attack England openly.
they would be playing Germany's game.
With MIR. GLADSTONE in power at Westmin-
ster nothing short Of a direct attack on the
part Of France and Russia. and the consc-
quent dread OF losing India. would drive
England into close combination with the
Triple Alliance. But such combination
once effected. the central powers would have
tremendous preponderance of resources:
and OF the war upon which they would en-
ter. it is probable that France. and not Eng
land. would be the victim. We do not, there
fore. believe that the egregious blunder OF
forcing the United Kingdom into the arms
of the central powers is contemplated at
Paris or ST. Petersburg.