The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-04
If the Gar Should Die?

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From the moment that the Car of Russia
Is admitted to be seriously i'll. one Is con-
fronted with the question, What In likely to
be the effect Of his death upon the European
situation It seems TO be the impression Of
well informed onlookers that the accession
of the present Czarewitch to the throne Of
the RoMANoFFs would be followed by a re-
newal Of cordial friendship between the
Governments of Berlin and st. Petersburg,
by the substitution Of a revived league of the
three Emperors for the present Triple ALI
ance, and by the consequent isolation Of
France on the one side, and Of Italy upon the
other.
1t Is vain to deny hat in an autocracy
like that Of Russia the personal predilec-
lions Of the sovereign are weightv, II not
decisive, involving as they do the ultimate
escendancy at his court Of those who are in
real or professed sympathy with his views.
During the lifetime Of the old German EN-
peror, WILLIAM l., the feeling Of warm per-
eonal affection with which he was regarded
by his Russian kinsmen, ALEXANDER ii.
bnd ALEXANDER Ill, was too strong to be
fhaken even by the resentment expressed
by many Russian Generals and diplomatists
ht what they deemed the betrayal of the
Cars interests in the Congress of
Berlin. With the reign of WILLIAM
II. came a change, for the young Emperor
evinced indifference to the Cars good will,
and the dismissal of BISMARCK was regretted
ut st. Petersburg as the apparent repudia-
tion of a policy which, in spite Of some de-
Elections, had been based on the declaration
that a quarrel with Russia must be avoided
at all hazards. Under such circumstance
there was really nothing for the Car to do
blu to enter into some sort OF an under
standing with France, although the extreme
instability Of the French Executive, and the
growing infiuence exhibited by Jacobins and
SOCIALISTS in the French Legislature, must
have made such a combination distasteful.
The distaste must now be emphasized,
Since, as our Paris correspondent has pointed
out, the complete fiasco Of the attempt to
enforce the new laws against the Socialists
has led to a reaction in their favor, OF which
D signal proof was given the other day, when
b Socialist captured the seat left vacant by
NJ. CAsIMIR-PERIER the new President of
the republic. Nevertheless, having accepted
certain overtures from France, and made
certain responsive demonstrations the pres
Gar, SO long as he lives, will doubtless
fefrain from any sudden and violent altera-
zion Of Russia's foreign policy.
1t Is said, however. that the Czarewitch
is strongly philo-German in his sympathies,
and that his impulse will be TO choose his
advisers from representatives Of the German
party at his court. No doubt this personal
proclivity would, for a time at all events,
Inject with a good deal of obstruction, had
The attitude Of the Berlin Government con-
tinued 20 be what 1t was for some time after
The accession OF WILLIAM ii. But such is
not the case. The German Emperor's rec
bnciliation with BISMARCK is understood
10 have been prompted mainly by a desire
To signify approval OF the latter's foreign
policy, especially in its relation TO the Car;
hnd this has been followed by a strenuous
exercise OF imperial influence on behalf of
the commercial treaty between Germany
and Russia, which embodies large conces-
sions to the latter country. It Is obvious,
therefore, that the personal sentiments
ascribed to the Czarewitch will not be
thwarted, but favored, by the material
change which has come over international
relations, and by the present disposition OF
the German Emperor TO meet him more
than half way.
We are told that WILLIAM III. expressed
recently an intention Of visiting the Paris
Exposition of 1900, and intimated that he
knew how TO assure himself a welcome from
the Parisians, This he might co~nceivably
do without surrendering Alsace-L Lorraine,
provided he would give France a free hand
against either Italy or England. He could
afford to offer such a vent to the French
passion for rehabilitation, IL a reconstruction
OF the league Of the three Emperors had
made the position of Germany i~mpregnable.
The Right Way for the BrOOkIynites.
Those Of the people of Brooklyn who de-
sire that 1t shall become a part OF metropoli-
tan New York, are now taking the proper
course TO secure that end. The Consolida-
ton League which exists there, has begun
an active campaign in favor OF its object,
and will carry 1t on from this time until the
election In November. Meetings are to be
held, circulars distributed, and other means
used TO lead the BroOklynites 10 take a
practical interest in a question, which is Of
even greater Importance to them than to
New Workers This is the right way for
them TO obtain municipal union with New
York, and they had better "Dush thinOsH