The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-12
A EUROPEAN WAR.

The annual announcement OF an i'm
pending war in Europe is like the cry OF
wolf by the boy in the fable. For dec
ade or more it has been regularly revived
during that period of the year when the ar
mics are in winter quarters and when an &C.
tive cam paign, in Northern Europe, at least,
would be impractical. In view of this Oft
repeated prophecy of an event which does
not occur, many persons who have never
analysed Old World conditions are OF the
opinion that the peace OF Europe will
not again be disturbed, and that the re-
curing war scare is nothing more than
newspaper talk.
1t is to be noted, however, that as there
was wolf in the fable so there is also a
wolf in European affairs, and that sooner
or later it will break from its copses with
either war or revolution in its burning
eyes.
1t is impossible to suppose in reason that
the existing conditions and institutions of
Europe can much longer endure. Look
for an example to the Germany of to-day.
With population of about AZ 100000 it
has regular standing army OF 100000
men, and in addition to this
body of civilian soldiers of $780,
600 more. 1t costs the enormous sum
of $165, 100000 annually to support this
army, and this, with the vast and
increasing expenses of the imperial Gov
eminent, swells the burden of taxation
upon the producers and proper.y-owners
of the empire to degree which Americans
can hardly realize. According to the con-
sular reports from Germany the annual
tax rate in that country exceeds 20 per
cent of the assessed valuation of its prop
erty.
If this be true it follows that every five
years the Government of Germany apsorbs
the entire wealth of its people in taxes.
This of itself is condition which cannot
continue long. 1t is also one which affects
Italy, Austria, Turkey and France to an
almost equal degree.
Take another view of Germany a an ex-
ample of conditions in Europe. Behold
her young Emperor engaged in the vain
endeavor to convoke a Cabinet which
shall repulSe the assaults of the OPP
position long enough to inaugurate
a policy. OF what elements is this opposi-
ton composed? Mainly of the several
schools of German socialists, whose
dlLn 10 VIC OfSilDlOW VI
These elements Bismarck was able
to keep divided by the exercise
OF his powerful genius in statecraft and
by casting to this faction and then to that
the sop of a seeming accession to their
demands. But the genius of Bismarck
IS lost to the Government of to-
day, and as q natural result the en-
pire which his ability upreared for
the Hohenzollerns is in danger of an
eruption of its own internal discomfort.
This condition also affects the other
nations of Europe, in every one of which
there is growing sense Of equality among
men and increasing aired of caste.
With these two elements in European
society it is not surprising that either war
or revolution must speedily occur. The
surprising thing is that one or the other
has not happened before. 1t is now more
than quarter of a century since Europe
has had a serious war. This long
period OF peace has been due to conditions
which have ceased to exist, and to the
genius of statesmen who have passed from
the stage of action. In the meantime the
increase of standing armies, composed
of men whose trade is war and who
demand it as their opportunity for glory,
and OF the forces of socialism and discon-
tent, made up of those who have every
thing to gain and nothing to lose by either
war or revolution. place near limit to the
period of peace.
Every sign of the times points with I'M
varying finger to the certainty Of Europe's
entrance upon the new century in a state
OF disturbance not unlike that with which it
began the present one, and with results
ahead which are as difficult Of forecast
now as then.