The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-06
OUTLOOK FOR EUROPE
THE SITUATION ABROAD As SEEN BY
AN EXPERIENCED OBSERVER.
That Continent Peacefully Sufocatfng
in an Atmosphere of War, and
Striving to a Pacific Ruin.

dnXlOuSly awaiting the nfSt acts OF the
new ruler of Russia. which may prove
a revelation of his foreign policy, it will
be interesting to glance at the funda-
mental situation of the restless old con-
tinent. Three years ago. when regu-
lar contributor to the Cleveland Leader,
/ made q positive prediction of peace
when the rumors of imminent war grew
to almost daily reports, which predic-
ton proved strictly correct. 1 quote
what I said in that newspaper of Oct.
II. 1891:
ut is but from long and complete
study of the inner situation of Europe
that, in disdain of all appearances and
pessimistic reports. / dare to advance
the following conclusion as representing
faithfully the actual state of the old
world Peace cannot reign and war is
impossible. Europe will continue striv-
ing to pacific ruin. Certain that time
will confirm my assertions, l am ready
to stand with my semi-optimism against
the general pessimism which prevails
in both continents"
/ quote further:
I'm conclusion 1 would repeat and
insist upon the statement that in spite
of the manifesto lions and. polemics of
the European press, in spite of the daily
reports and universal belief of imminent
war, and Notwithstanding the formidable
ornaments. the large standing armies
and the crushing expenses resulting
therefrOm, war will not break out for
long time to come.
The cOrreStness of the above predic-
ton may entitle me to the public con-
fidence in regard to my present state
ments. The moral and material situa-
ton of Europe. when studied closely,
shows neither peace nor war, but that
bat
in an atmosphere of war. All the great
powers have their international enmi-
ties, but are paralyzed by the heaviness
of their ornaments. the lack of finances,
the fear of the consequences of any
rash move. and also by trouble in their
entrails. So do l say: Under these cir
cumstances peace cannot reign and war
is impossible. During the past few
years the European situation was about
this: Alexander was the captain of the
European ship and William the chief
engineer at the machinery. Both were
Jealous of their respective authority and
wanted to work independently of each
other. but as they were on the same
ship both their lives and the lives of
all on board We're at stake. hence the
fear of meeting with disaster through
conflicting orders led them both to COM
| bine graciously their efforts to keep the
| ship in the safe direction. Spectator
| John Bull was watching their maneu-
vering from his rock near by, presaging
some bad wreck and expecting that
some wreckage would drift towards him.
| POSSIBLE DANGER TO FRANCE.
| The change which recently took place
among the men holding the fate of
Europe does not endanger peace which
ever side the Car takes. The only
black cloud perceptible in the far dis
tant political horizon appears in the
| case of France being isolated. Her re-
| publican form of government is natur-
ally incompatible with the European
monarchies. whose interest is to check
| the spread of liberal ideas, and might
serve as common ground on which a
coalition could be formed by several
powers which have other great inter-
ests to debate with France, and whose
real objects would be hidden under the
pretense of placing the Due d'Orleans
on the throne of that nation. The coun-
tries whose interests would be well
served in reducing France to a lower
rank are, first, Great Britain. the former
| being the principal colonial competitor
Of the latter and the only one whose
fleets assume threatening proportions;
| second, Germany, who, although feeling
some reiuctancy at joining in such an
ingloriouS war. might feel the neces-
sity of Kidding herself of her perpetual
enemy; third. Italy. who aspires to be-
come the queen of the Mediterranean
and would willingly thrust her hand
into the French treasury to recuperate
her own. Such coalition was formed
against France for this same purpose
;,,<,4 xrrl,A x~~J.
tria and some German states joined
their forces in vain attempt to rebuild
the throne of the French kings that
the great revolution had demolished
But it is very unlikely. however, that
such coalition would be formed now
for that avoWed purpose. The spirit OF
liberty is too far developed in Europe
and the scheme would be thwarted by
general outburst of Indignation
AS to the question of diSarming, I re-
| peat to-day what l said three years
| ago-it cannot be touched upon previous
ly to establishing permanent interna-
tional court of arbitration. Has tina,
court of arbitration any chance to be
! i should say not in the present century
| not as long as the mOnarchical hydra
| dominates in Europe. The powers OPP
| posed to that court of arbitration are
| England, Russia and Germany. How
| could Great Britain, the queen of the
| seas come down from her throne anC
| take rank among the members of tht
| court and there have the power of only
| one vote like the others? How could
| she sacrifice her domination over thu
| seas and her universal influence by sub
hitting Der foreign claims to a cour
which would stop her high-handed pol
| icy throughout the world? Emperor
William, on his side, is too much giver
to pride. Being the head of the triple
| alliance gives him a certain prestige
which he is not fain to lose or exchange
| for the one vote in the court of arbitra
| ton. He is not blind as to the acute
struggle for life his people has to bear
but as he is out of the struggle him
| self he does not seem to be profoundly
| affected by it. Russia. the creates
power, Boosting of ten million soldier.
on the war footing. hence the most in
| f1uential. will certainly not give up hel
supremacy and consent to have hel
Asiatic or European affairs discussed b,
any court of arbitration.
All the other countries, large ant
small. would welcome such court fol
the sake of disarming. quite mum
Der OF people think France would no
disarm and that she wants revenge
| I should say those are profoundly ig
norant that since France transformed
ner government from monarchical to re
publican the popular ideas have ais,
taken quite a new turn. The Chau
vlniste party numbers hardly one