The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-07-27
WAR CLOUDS IN EUROPE
Probabilities Of q Clash DotWooc
the Great NatiouA
What the Eject of . EaFopeAA ~
Would BE Upon This CouneBy-A
Strain That Cannot H
Long Sustained. y

Harold Frederic. one OF the shrewd.
est American observers across the seas,
notes the estimate that there are one
hundred and thirty thousand more men
under arms in Europe than there were
last Christmas, and remarks: 1T is
now the universal expectation that
when the Christmas Of 1894 comes
around it will find an altered map.
This strain is too heavy. Something
must give way somewhere during the
coming year"
Predictions of great impending
European war have been made conf
IDENTIFY from time to time during the
last decade, says the Boston Traveller.
vet they have not been fulfilled, and
many will turn an incredulous ear to
Mr.. Frederic, saying: 1.-THE outlook
has been as forbidding more than once
since the chief military powers began
to swell their ornaments to their pres
ent enormous size, and yet, somehow.
peace has been preserved. Why, then,
is there not reason to believe that 1894
will repeat the story Of 1893 and its
immediate predecessors, and another
Christmas come with the sword still in
the scabbard?"
To those who thus appeal to the ex-
perience of the nearer past it is unhap-
PLY easy to return an answer. This
answer may be summed up in Mr..
Frederics words: 1.-The strain is too
heavy. Something must give way
somewhere" For long time now the
rival powers of Europe have been en-
gagged in a contest which has been only
less exhausting to them than actual
warfare would have been. They have
been putting forth prodigious exer-
tions to overawe their respective rivals
with exhibitions of force, until, in
some instances, the burdens of taxa
ton under which they are grooming
have become intolerable. Italy, in
deed, has almost rea ched the verge OF
bankruptcy; Russia, despite her vast
extent, is financially in no envisble
plight; while France, Germany and
Austria-Hungary, although much bet
ter able to continue the trial of endur-
ance, keenly feel the effects of such
ruinous competition and know that it 10
only o question of time when they will
be forced to reduce their military or
penditures, or draw the sword in the
hope of conquering less troublesome
peace.
1t is becoming more and more evil
dent, therefore, that crisis in their
affairs is approaching, and one that
means upheaval. The different na-
tons referred to, conscious that even
partial disarmament will not be agreed
to, know that war is practically inev-
liable. Not one of them, perhaps,
feels fully ready for war, yet they
doubt if they will ever be much reader
than now, and hence all are on the
alert that they may not be taken una
wares.
We on this side of the ocean do not
view the fast-gathering European war
clouds with pleasure. An old world
conflict would benefit us for the time
being by increasing the demand for
our products, but, in the long run, No
should suffer from it, and in wsys that
need not be indicated. Yet, even if
such conflict should insure perma-
nent benefits to us we should not 70
joice to see it break out. We know
what war means, and having reason, if
ever nation has had, to love peace,
we are full of sympathy for Mother
Europe in her trials, and would wish
that the blessings we enjoy might BE-
come her happy portion.