The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-17
EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

AutoPo"h poiitiCS presents seVerai
points of special interest just now.
There are crises impending in France
and Italy which probably involve
changes of considerable Importance to
those countries, in policy and personality
OF rulers. In Germany there is a crisis
at hand, though 1t may not involve the
cabinet officers. In England it is
expected that RosEBERY will contrive
to slide out of the premiership before the
Liberal majority is wholly destroyed, so
as to leave the task of carrying the
country or losing it, at the election that
is pretty sure to ensue in the not-distant
future, to some one else. In Russia the
new Emperor has not fully shown his
hand yet, but there is expectation that
there is to be change that will be radical
in some directions.
France and Germany are facing each
other with demand on one side and defi-
ance on the other. Germany has
demanded that France pursue certain
course in the prosecution of an army
officer who is accused of selling infor-
nation to Germany. 1t is not apparent
yet what stand France will
take. 1t is certain that if
France defies Germany there will
be serious trouble, perhaps war. If
Germany is yielded to the ministry will
be discredited and probably unseated
Germany demands that certain evidence
against the alleged informer, which was
abstracted from desk in the German
legation, be not used in any manner,
holding that it was obtained by violation
OF sacred diplomatic rights.
Germany has q double motive for in
sisting upon the demand upon France.
1t has become necessary that the En-
peror divert attention from his domestic
policy and affairs. 1t has been the
only method Of subduing democracy
in Germany for many years to create
great popular interest in foreign policy
or war. If Germany could be left alone
to contemplate and study It's own affairs
for generation or two it would evolve
democracy of some sort, and probably a
pretty democratic sort.
England has seemingly run against a
snag in the attempt to put her tradi-
tional policy of greed and grab In opera
tion in the East. She tried to get the
Powers TO help her pocket what
she wished Oh China. TLea she
tried to inveigle the United States
into doing her work, and partially sue
-ceeded. Then she made a -Febber- -eem-
pact with Russia for division of spoils,
on the principle of the greater grab
capacity of two powerful nations. But
now Japan seems inclined to do the
carving of China herself, and the Rus
sian English scheme for swag may not
work.
Germany is finding out the shallow
ness of the Emperor, and he is finding
out that his people begin to know him.
He has got to keep mp his war-loved
reputation somehow. The energy of the
German people must not be applied TO
the bettering of their own condition,
even il they are set at the task of batter
ing France in pieces once more.
In France the disturbed condition of
politics is due to the fevered scandal
about the selling of military facts TO
Germany and about some discoveries
involving the Paris newspapers in ex-
tensive blackmail schemes. These
charges against the press are being
pressed chiefly to gag belligerent
spirit toward England manifested by
the writers, just as the whole Pan
anna series Of prosecutions served TO
turn the public's attention in n desired
direction. The episode of the German
interference in the military scandal
may release the press from the govern
ment tourniquet, and give 1t a chance to
spit fire in a more agreeable fashion. 1t
looks as though France must face
Germany boldly, or submit to internal
tumuit Of serious nature.
The Italian crisis has been working
toward dramatic denouement for
two years or more. and bids fair to
assure virulent hue very soon. The
Banca Romano affair has sprouicd up.
and Crispi is involved in Charge OF
concealing very important documents.
The old battle-scarred diplomat means