The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-06

chance for which Russia has been wait
ing continued the diplomat. ssShe has
been looking for an opportunity 10 step
in and make treaty which w0ald give
her control CT Nardoe, Nadsoe and pos
sinlv Hanuerfest and Tr6msoe. the
ports which afford free access to- the At
Iantic the year round from Lapland
Russia already has territory adjoining.
and q small extension of her limits would
embrace two or three Of these fine ports.
To what extent Russian influence has
been behind the republican movement
in Norway. or through what secret meth
DDS the Russians may have promoted the
separatist a citation, i do not know. but
if Russia does make an effort to secure
Atlantic ports i venture the prediction
that both Germany and Great Britain
VIII protest. Their protest may lead to
war France Will at once be drawn into
the conflict. and then you viii see the
real. the terrible. the long expected and
much talked of general war in the old
world Europe viii be turned into a
mighty camp Millions upon millions Of
soldiers viii ravage the lands
The Old Franco-Gerrnan Sore.
"The best of it is, according to my
view, that # war comes it Is likely to be
the last great conflict in Europe for per-
haps half a century. One more enormous
conflict. unparalleled in its destructive
ness. I do expect to see IN Europe. and
after that, for a long time at least. uni
versa1 peace. 1T is undenlable that the
tendency Of mankind is toward peace.
Wars are becoming fewer and fewer
Even the absolute monarchs-andif YOU
viii stop to think Of it there are precious
few absolute monarchs left in the world
mo longer go to war to satisfy their
whi1ns or their wounded pride. War
thank heaven. is NOT a plaything Of kings
in this our day and generation. But I'M
derneath the surface influences are at
work which viii bring on at least one
more conflict. The old sore between Ger
many and France has never healed. 1T
is known to all men who travel in France
and who get near to the people Of that
country that the national aspiration is
the reeapture of Alsace and Lorraine
France viii never be content till she has
Effected this or failed ia a mighty effort.
Desperate Game.
Moreover, some excuse must be given
for the maintenance Of the mighty ar
mics which exist ia Europe. All through
the old world every fifth man Il soil
der. Enormous taxes are levied for the
support of these vast troops, for their
equipment. their horses. their prOyender
1T is becoming an axiom in the diplomat
Ic world of Europe that some day. and
not a distant day at that. excuse must
be given the people for this levy upon
them. If they are to be continually
asked for tribute 70 military rule, they
must be afforded proof that military
rule is a necessity. They must BE salts
fed that real necessity exists for the
maintenance q these vast armies. This
ralson a etra can be given only ia war.
For years now runors Of war and fears
Of war have sufhced. But there must
be actual war pretty soon, or the tax
payers who pay these military bills out
Of the sweat of their brOws VIII rise up
and oyerwhelm monarchs and armies to-
gether. Without money armies are inn
possible and. except in Russia. the peo-
pie are holding the pursestrings. There
fore the monarchs must have war or 20
down. They must play the most des-
perate Of all games as a sort Of realistic
specfacularisln for the amusement and
satisfaction of their financial supporters.
If the people cannot have a show, they
viii not pay the bills.
Terrible Enemies