Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-25

not and the car. The latter said: The
testimonies Of warm sympathy which have
eloquence will add a fresh link TO those al
ready uniting the two countries and will
contribute i hope. to the strengthening of
sne general peace-the object of their eff
concluding his reply Frances executive
SAID: 1T marks at the same time a pro-
round faith in the beneficial influence which
can De exerted together by two great ma
lions devoted to the cause of peace"
Now, as even more significant. was the
entertaining of the British squadron at the
Is thought that the visit of the British fleet
was designed to counteract the many ru-
mors of alarm which the Toulon gathering
had caused, as well as to serve as a gentle
reminder that In matters affecting the
status quo In the Mediterranean England
was still alive to her interest and prepared
to act. In addition to this act of alliance
between Italy and England is the attention
given by Germany TO the commercial con-
ventions inaugurated two years ago with
Austria-Hungary, Italy, Belgium and Swltz-
erland.
What a War Would Mean.
After considering the possibility of a gen
eral European war it is interesting to look
at the probable result, and to the relative
strength of the different nations.
There have been frequent discussions
to the value of the Italian soldiers. but
when the Italians get a chance to square ac-
counts with the French there will be no
need for discussion. Italy Will put $4,000
splendidly armed soldiers into the field,
and ii will only take two weeks to get them
together, and IL will require at least man for
man for France to take care OF them.
In the event of a European war IL Will be
somewhat difficult to get at the number OF
souls engaged, for the number Of available
soldiers lis SO great that II Is merely ques-
ton Of transportation facilities as TO how
many men will be In the first engagements.
At any rate there could be 5000.O0U soldiers
in actual movement before the firing Of the
first gun. and before action Will have re-
suited in settlement of differences over
n,OOo,oOO men may report for duty.
The French have no Napoleon. but they
have military and naval leaders who are by
no means su.h weaklings as surrounded
Napoleon. The Germans. with whom war Is
the most practical Of all human affairs. un-
derstand the difference In respect TO French
leaders. and the Military Wochenblatt, one
Of the German military publications, has
recently been discussing the question Of
whether the French army has lost any Of
Its keenness. 1t appears from this publica-
ton That the Germans have an idea that the
French will not hug the fortresses erected
on the eastern frontier, but will them
for mobilization purposes and aim TO in
wade the German frontier. IL possible. As
to equipment, the French are certainly well
advanced. The artillery has rapid-fire guns
and melinite shells and the latest improved
rifle of small caliber is in use.
Then. IL England is drawn In the contest,
there will he great times on the sea A
French comparison between the floating
strength of the various nations was effected
by grouping the ships II. typical squadrons
Of three battle ships, two cruisers, one tor
pedo cruiser and six torpedo heats. OF these
typical sQuadrons England Possesses D.
France .. Russia .. Italy 9. Germany 9.
Austria 4. Spain 3. Turkey 3, Denmark
and Greece. Holland and Sweden and Nor
way each !. BY this system of COMPARE
son France and Russia can set eighteen
y pical squadrons against the fifteen Of the
triple alliance, but that with England the
Triple alliance car count upon thirty-seven
squadrons, against the twenty-nine of all
the other European powers Put together.
vi the French annual maneuvers carried on
upon a tremendous scale i'm the Mcditer-
rsnean, and concerning the feet maneuvers
in the channel enc Of our naval officers
writes home:
mo doubt you have been posted regarding
the movements of the British and French
fleets last month. I nave seen the two. and
L must say the general opinion among our
naval off1cers and fully concur with them,
Is mat the French have better organization
for battle and concentration than the Brit
ish The movements of their torpedo boats
ere perfect" . .-. -.. - -,
France indeed. would have not the slight
esq chance of winning a campaign IL IL were
not for Russia, which seeks an outlet at
Constantinople. and deems the suppression
OF France enough to make IL impossible for
Russian warship TO ever pass through the
Bosphorus. Russia has 1J0,0OO,00o subjects.
three times The population OF Germany. and
tfere Is ample evidence that a war with the
Germans. Austrians and Hungarians will be
welcomed by the Russians. who have been
preparing within the last year for such an
event In addition 90 the combination OF
England. Italy, Germany and Austria, China
VIII join her fate, while with the others
mentioned Japan will put an excellent navy
in cooperation.