The Portland daily press., 1894-02-09
GERMANY AND RUSSIA.
The Old Friendship of the Romanoff and
Hohenzollerns Seems to be Revived.

Hohenzollerns Seems to be Revived.
Thee statement made by Emperor Will
liam II at the Parliamentary dinner CIV
en- on Monday by Chancellor Won Ca
privi were of great political Importance.
He said that a rejection by the Reichstag
of the commercial treaty arranged be-
tween Germany and Russia would in
evitably be followed by war, and he adj
ded that the large and unexpected conces-
sions made by the ST. Petersburg Gov
eminent had been inserted in
the treaty at the personal dictation of the
Gar. This concillatory attitude on the
part of theRussian sovereign is an auspic-
ious so far as the maintenance Of
peace between Germany and France is
concerned, but it does not imply that
France will not be suffered and even en-
couraged, to test her military efficiency
in a conflict with England.
From the moment that Bismarck and
his Emperor were reconciled, it became
evident that the party at the Berlin
court favorable to renewal of the tradi-
tional friendship between Germany and
Russia would be powerfully strength
ened. and we now see that the Gear, on
his part, is disposed to welcome and even
stimulate such change of feeling.
He could give no more cognent proof of
such a disposition than by insisting on
the admission of German manufactures
into Russia on extremely easy terms, not
withstanding the protests of the Russian
manufacturers, who will be undersoId.
If the overture embodied in this treaty
is accepted-and this is likely to take
place, now that William II. has disclosed
it's full signifcance-a decided check
will be given to the current of influences
which, since the reception Of the French
fleet at Cronstadt, has been tending to
ALLEVIATE the Gear from Germany and to
connect him more OR less closely with
France Should the old cordial rela-
tions of the Romanoffs and the Hohenzol
lerns be presently resumed. France will
not venture to provoke contest with
Germany on the assumption that, In any
circumstances, she can rely on Russia'S
cooperation. 1t by no means follows
that the Gear. however glad he might
be to place himself again upon footing
of good will toward the German sover-
eign, would tolerate an aggressive move
ment of Germany against France. That
would be obviously counter to the inte1e
ests of the Russian empire. In 1878,
when the intimate relations of William
l. and Alexander III. were as yet unshak-
en-. and when bismarck, alarmed at the
recuperative power OfFrance, was believed
to mediate second blow, he was in
formed by Gortchakoff that Russia
could not be an unmoved spectator of
any further disturbance of the balance of
power in Europe. In word, the influ-
ence of the Gar, should he revert to his
former feelings of warm regard for his
Prussian kinsman, will, on the one hand
constitute guarantee for France against
German invasion, and, on the other, an
insuperabIe obstacle to the recovery of
AIsace Lorraine.
It is, however, obvious that, if French
men are once convinced that campaign
OF revenge against Germany is hopeless
they must seek some other employment
for their colossal military resources. In
country where the will of the people is
directly reflected in legislation, as it is
in France, the stupendous burdens i'm
posed by huge standing army are
borne only upon condition that the utlll-
ty of such an instrument shall be demon
strated.
Let it once be understood that Russia
| will not permit Germany and France to
| fight, and all French statesmen Will
adopt the view of the late jules Ferry
that the rehabilitation of French prestige
must he sought in another quarter, 70
wit, by trial of strength with England,
the ancient enemy. There is no doup
that war with England would be In
tensely popular in France, and, II assur-
ances were given from ST. Petersburg
that it should be a single-handed contest.
Frepchmen would go into it with Will.
There is not the slightest likelihood that
Italy would cooperate with England, If
| the Gar interposed his veto at Berlin.
| AS for pretexts, there are three Oh cNem'
! the Siamese, the Egyptian and the New
| foundland questions, any one of which
might furnish France with casus belll.
| 1t will he observed that everyone Oh
| these three controversies has been lett IN
a state Of suspension. France firmly ad-
| herring to her claims, but refralnlng Tor
| the moment from pressing them. with
regard to any OF these q9estlons' sne mas s
| onlv to insist on the full measure OF
| what she deems her rights. and an out
| break of war is unavoidable.
The French army is acknowledged to
| have reached the acme OF efficiency, and
| the French navy, whatever ground there
| NAV be for N. LockroJ's rrti-
cisns, is stronger compared with
| he three or four years hence These
| tremendous ornaments were meant for
| use. and not for show; if they are not
| to he turned to account against Germany,
| thew must be welded against some other
| opponent or else they must be cut down.
| That is the alternative which the french
| taxpayers will impose upon tnef govern
| ment should a thorough reconciliation
| of the Gear with William Ii. assure the
| ,,eaoa of the Continent for some years to