The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-10-14
OUR EUROPEAN LETTER.
The Nations Expect War and Are Pre-.
pairing for 1t.

pairing for It.
LONDON, Sept 3o-Lovers Of peace
cannot gain much encouragement from |
the European situation as it presents
itself to-day. No cdSnS 6eW or tangi |
BILE excuse for war threatens, except the
Siamese affair, which, for the moment,
is not discussed. Still the impression
grows stronger daily in the great capitals,
that the chords of international friend
ship, or, rather tolerance, for no
stronger sentiment exists, are under a
severe and increasing strain. / have
talked with many close students OF
public affairs in both Paris and London
this week They all look forward to
the coming winter and spring as most
critical period for Europe. l am far
from prophesying war. | do not be-
leve any Government is planning or
desiring it. There are indications,
however, that more than one is expect
ing it and that all are preparing for it.
The decisive factor in such a stu
alton is apt to be the people themselves.
1t rarely happens that the pubic
opinion of the whole nation demands
war When it does, there is good
cause for apprehension. The masses
of Paris are fast approaching that stage.
Within a month, unless restrained or
diverted, the people OF France will be
clamoring for war The present senti
ment is but little short Of 1t. 1t is fully
significant of the unnatural tension of
the situation that two such incidents as
the proposed entertainment of the
Russian fleet at Toulon, and the mes
sage of sympathy sent by Emperor
William to Prince Blsmarck's sick bed
should cause the whole French nation
to smell powder in anticipation. But
they do smell it, and it is almost like
the smell of blood to the hungry tiger.
This war fever, which has been
spreading in French veins for several
weeks, comes not only OF desire for
revenge, but of a love for conquest 1t
is a peculiar desire. | have watCht d
the French people under various forms
of emotion, especially during the past
year, and this last is the most interest
ing of all They have discovered that
they are a vigorous, fully restored ma
ton. The Russian alliance of entente
has completed their realization Of
strength. They are impatient to test
their pow-r. The average FrenChman
would 60 to war with Eng land to-day
with almost as much enthusiasm as he
would march toward the Rhine This
newest passion ofthe French has surpris
ed her own Government has alarmed
Russia, and has startled all Europe.
The Car has demanded that the
welcome to the Russians shall be res
tricted to the form followed at Cron-
stadt two years ago. Paris had begun
for a series of the most magn hCent
fetes in history. The Russian Am
bassador announces that the visitors
will accept only an official entertain,
ment Paris is annoyed but she will
make her demonstration nevertheless.
Defiance to all the world and the re
birth of the national power, which the
affair is attended to signify, viii be pro,
claimed to ChristendDm.
The most hopeful element Of safety
in this situation is President Carnot.
He may be relied on to reprcss folly
and maintain national common sense
to the best of his ability The Presi-
dent Of the French Republic is not for
war. He will exert himself unselhsh-
ly for the peaceful prosperity of his
country during his remaining days of
usefulness, The greatest blessing for
which France can hope is that he will
be spared to direct her affairs during
the next few months Strong pressure
from family and medical advicers is up
on him to induce him to resign when
parliament assemblies in November.
Ii his friends, who ought to know the
truth, are well informed, NJ Cyrnot
may live two or three years or he may
die tomorrow. Any great extension
of his public career is impossible.
The literary work upon which Mr..
Gladstone has been engaged turns out
to be the rendering Of Horace into
English verse. The Grand Old Man
will make a great speech to his con-
stituents on next Wednesday and will
indicate the course which his followers
should take in regard to the House Of
Lords. The more impatient Radicals
are already organizing a movement
against the upper House, and Thurs
day night, at meeting in London, a
committee was appointed to take the
preliminary steps for constituting the
National League for the Abolition Of
the Hereditary Legislative Chamber
on the ground that such an institution
sis subversive of the rights Of the
people" The committee will, in due
course, convene a great conference of
delegates Of workmens clubs and
politlcal organizations, and submit the
plan Of campaign, 1t will depend on
Mr. Gladstone's utlerances on Wednes,
day whether THE movement will attain
formidable dimensions. There are still
no signs that the popular mind is
much agitated on the subject, and un