The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-02-07
WAR CLOUDS IN EUROPE.
Probabilities of a Clash Between
the Great Nations
1Th.t the Eject % European war
woaIa BE Cpos This Country-A
strain That Cannot Be
long sustained

U.rola Frederic. one Of the shrewd-
st American observers across the seas,
notes the estimate that there are one
hundred and thirty thousand more men
under arms il Europe than there were
last Christmas. and remarks: IT Is
now the universal expectation that
when the Christmas Of ls94 comes
around II viii find an altered map
This strain is too heavy. Something
must give way somewhere during the
coming year"
Predictions Of a 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 wiz turn an incredulOus ear 70
Mr.. Frederic. saying: The outlook
has been as forbidding more than once
since the chief military powers began
70 swell their aTnamcnts TO their pres
eut enormous size. and yet, somehow,
peace has been preserved Why, then,
Is there not reason 20 believe that 1898
viii repeat the story Of 1888 anu Us
immediate predecessors, and another
Christmas come with the sword stlll IN
the scabbard2'
To those who thus appeal to the ex-
pericnee Of the nearer past Il IS unhap-
riiv easy 70 return an answer. ms
answer may be summed up IN Mr.
Fredertc's words: The strain is too
heavy. Something must give way
somewhere" For long time now the
rival powers OF Europe have been en-
gared in a contest which has been only
less exhausting TO them than actual
warfare would have been. They have
been putting forth prodigiOus exer-
rions 20 overawe their respective rivals
with exhibitions Of force, until, IN
some instances, the burdens OF taxa
ton under which they are groaning
have become intolerable. Italy, IN
deed. has almost reached the verge Of
bankruptcy: Russia, despite her vast
extent, Is financially in no enviabie
plight: while France, Germany and
Austria-Hungary, although much bet
ter able TO continue the trial Of cndur-
ance. keenly feel the effects Of such
ruinous competition and know that II IS
only q question Of time when they viii
be forced to reduce their military ex-
nenditures, or draw the sword in the
hope Of conquering less troublesome
peace
Il Is becoming more and more eTi-
dent, therefore, that a crisis in their
affairs Is approaching, and one that
means upheaval. The different na-
tions referred to, conscious that even
partial disarmament viii not be agreed
to. know that war is practically inev-
table. Not one Of them, perhaps,
feels fully ready for war, yet they
doubt if they viii 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
orr products, but, in the long run, we
should suffer from it. and in ways that
need not be indicated. Yet, even if
such a conflict should insure perma-
nent benefits to us we should not re
ioice 10 see Il brealf out We know
what war means, and having reason, II
ever a 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