The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-11-04
I W..

The author OF this book considers II a mistake
as serious as 1t Is widespread to suppose that the
war proclaimed by France against England on
Feb. l., 1903, was solely a war of principles
between u republic and a monarchy. To a large
extent, 1t was a question affecting material in.
~terests. whether, namely, French influence
should or should not be paramount in the whole
OF the Netherlands, Dutch as well as Austrian.
No doubt general provocations had a consldera-
bic effect In embittering the controversy; but a
special challenge was given TO England by a de-
cree Nov. 10, 1902. throwing open the nayiga-
ton of the Scheldt to all nations. BY the triple
alliance OF 1888, England had guaranteed to the
House OF Orange the Dutch Netherlands with
all their rights, among which was the control of
the Lower Scheldt in Dutch territory. This was
not a mere abstract question OF natural rights
then beseiging the citadel OF Antwerp, wished 10
make that port a station for their navy. and
French war ships sailed up the Scheldt to bonn
Hitherto, every principle of sound policy, do
nestle and foreign, had prescribed 10 England
astrict neutrality, unmoved by all the diatribes
Of Burke against the Revolution. In the spring
apparently his great desire was To lessen he ma.
lional debt, tn foster trade with France, and TO
uphold Turkey and Poland by Diplomatic means
AGAINST the encroachmelts of Russia, Austria,
and Prussia. Armed with a @ 81 understand
ing with Prussia, Catherine H., n the autumn
81 lay-' was arranging a second partition of
Poland. As for the Emperor, Francis H., she
aid that he might, as a set-off TO his neighbors'
gains acquire bavaria Instead OF the Austrian
Netherlands, IL ne could now recover these. 80
as to oner them Ia exchange TO the Elector OF
Poland and the exchange Of the Austrian Meth.
sriands Tor Bavaria were strongly objected to by
Treat Britain, II being a cardinal principle Of
like Poland against powerful and Aggressive
helghboIs and also TO keep the Netherlands in
the hands or a strong and generally friendly
power, such as Austria. as a firm barrier aoninst
French aggression.
PIT, therefore,, in Mr.. Roses Judgment, de-
sired peace, so as to leave England free TO resist
the revolutionary schemes OF the Russian and
austrian i1nt ! nlonarehies: AZ the end OF November.
l'Os' ne was, stu DESTROYS OF recognizing lie
Young French, republic II II would desist from
opsning the Scheldt; but Chauyelin, the French
ton as an ardent Republican, lrritated The Eng-
Ilsh G9vernment by intriguing with the clubs OF
volt IN ireland, aud by the assertion thai ne
English militia could not be trusted. Efforts
ides to arrive At q psciaSs seetWpiseRmssrSSitlh ' % M both
s.eLet agent OF Pitts. who had persistently
s Ssrnsd I! %ar form mL an b. AA%nig n alliance,
Paris, that III the executive power in paris
shihAs OF meddling with our internal affairs. OF
50 much desired by all sensible people, will never
ne isallzed Maret sorrowfufly informed him
70 invade Holland, yet war with England MAS
ihhs'itSDie not for any reason OF external poll
armed brigands who ought not to be allowed 10
France" The author OF this book citss
other evidence which points in the same direc-
slon; VIZ, that Pitt on his part desired 20 bring
aoouI q general peace, aud, n possible. an Anglo
ma nsoai nance 2 while the French Convention
HnI pSople, rushed with the brilliant victories Of
nenlouriez and Cuisine, saw less danger IN war
man s ~ the return OF their own armies. A mem
per OF ths French Convention wrote 10 Miles on
Pee, u, lIDa, In this sense: II tell YOU again
mat war Is inevitable, and that. II We had no
Jsuse q complaint against the Cabinet OF -.
5ames. u would be necessary. from policy and
ibG our internal security, To break with it rather
.hah consent TO a general peace. which | CON
seise Is the principal object Of your Ministry.
IL Is Nine. ROland's opinion. as well as
INIT, That We cannot make peace with the Em-
peIof rithout danger 10 the republic, and that
y would be hazardous 10 recall an army flushed
elth victory, and impatient to gather fresh
1uiels. into the heart OF the country, whose
.omInerce and. manufactures have lost their
and which would leave the dlsbanded
multitude without resources or employment"
nus We see that long before the advent Of
the French Revolution took the bias
oSard mLltArtsm which was 10 propaRate NJ
abroad. even while they we're being
'oroed o. ahTogated In France itself.
n ". Il.