The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-10-11
WHEN THE GAR DIES.

Professor Leyden's diagnosis Of the case
of the Russian Emperor makes that GER
tain which was only possible few days
age. BY upremtting care. skillful medical
treatment and change CT air the Cars
life may be prolonged many years. but the
price of the respite will be abstention
from public business, which means abdica-
ton. The professor would not have al.
lowed these views TO reach the newspapers
If there had been any secret about them.
1t must be assumed that even il the En-
peror lives bis reign is at an end. In con-
sidering the coming problems of European
politics it must be realized that a new En-
peror-a young man of 26-is on the throne.
rhe substitution of Nicholas for his
father means more than, the death of one
sovereign and the accession of his success or
generally imply. Russia is a pure despot
ism. The Government is personal and re.
fleets the personal wishes of the Emperor.
There is Council of State and there are
some elective municipal bodies which reg
ulate local concerns. But the Council
merely registers the commands of the En-
per0r, and the municipal bodies exist and
act through his grace. There is no power
III ltuocio w biCh Cdu GlSpItc uiS nus
the personal character Of the Emperor
gives the tone to the national policy and
shapes its direction. The Gar is the state.
If be is stupid or wrong-headed, or impGl-
siye, the empire must bear the penalty.
War and peace. freedom and repression.
liberation and autocracy lie in the hollow
of his hand.
This is the reason why European states
men are discussing the possibility of
change in Russia's foreign policy to follow
the ad vent of the CZarewItch. At present
a close form of alliance ties France and
Russia together, and the relations between
St Petersburg and Berlin are cold, not to
say strained. Bismarck's policy was to
seek Russian alliance. But when VIII
liam ii ascended the German throne he
saw mis- interest in a closer alliance with
Austria and Iialy than with Russia. and by
his lncOnsiderate words he threw the Gar,
so 10 say, into the arms of France. His
diplomacy divided Europe into two camps
he Dreibund, which was Bismarck's
work, on one side. and France and Russia
on the other. 1t is now stated that the
Care witch has fallen IN love with The
young German Emperor, and that he is
TO become a fourth member OF the Dre-
bund. leaving France isolated.
There is enough in the story to warrant
considerable uneasiness both at Paris and
London. The admission of Russia tn the
Dreibund would render a conflict between
it and France so unequal that it would be
declined. Italy might take the opportunity
of seeding, as it has long desired to do;
but the three Emperors would be strong
enough without Humberto to dictate terms
to The French. England would not inter-
fere in fray in which she was not con-
cerned.
There is one point of view in which the
reported rapprochement between Germany
and Russia would not seem as alarming AS
the French statesmen imagine. 1t is said
that the Emperor of Germany has become
member OF the peace society. and thai
the object nearest his heart is really the
preservation of peace. This was pro laimed
to be the original design of the Dire bund,
but as the instrument which defined the
purposes of that alliance provided for ex-
raordinary leyies of troops, the public as
sumed that the pacific aims which were
professed were intended TO deceive and to
throw dust in the public eye. 1t is now
averred that the compact was sincere. and
that Williams desire at present is to keep
out of foreign com plications, so as to con-
centrate his whole strength on the sup
preston of anarchism and socialism at
home. With a cast-iron com pact wi h
Russia, constituting an alliance offensive
and defensive against all corners, he could
attain that object, and be on his guard
against French restlessness. Perhaps
that will be the achievement OF the new