The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-01
THE sI1UA1IoN IN EUROPE.


THE SIIuA1IoN IN EUROPE.
It seems possible that the long-expected
conhagration in Europe may be near at
hand. The recent resignation OF NJ.
Bertheolet, the French Minister OF Foreign
Affairs. is well understood to have been
because he was opposed to the policy OF
the French Cabinet OF pushing England TO
the wall, in regard 10 the recently uhi'r-
taken Nile expedition, and the htuoh
seems TO be favorable 10 the policy OF
the Cabinet, and against NJ. Bertheoiet.
Directly after this resignation came an
nouncements of great activity in hitting
up French war-vessels, quite number oil
those In reserve In Toulon having been
ordered into commission. and on Tuesday
NJ. BOURGEOIS. the French Prime Minister,
announced in the Senate. in reply TO ques-
tjons, that negotiations regarding the Nile
expedition were still on hand with Great
Britain. and that Russia was cooperating
with France in what she was demanding
In regard TO Egypt. This last announce
ment. being official, may be one Of trans
" not going to quit Egypt upon the de-
mand, either OF France, or Of France
backed ly Russia, and it would be childs
their present demands upon England I'M
less they intended to follow them up by
play for France and Russia to be making
an attempt to compel compliance with
them by force. The skies seem, there
fore. 10 us, TO be more ominOus than
they have been yet OF dreadful con
nagration in Europe. the end Of which no
man may foretell, If it actually begins.
But recently England was undoubtedly
she is now threatened with would have
strained her timbers Of state until they
might have creaked, to say the least.
Is her position any better now?
We cannot help thinking that it is far
better, and that if she is forced into
war with France and Russia. she will find
a backing in Europe that Will enable her
to smile at her enemies. Her aid TO Italy
n Abyssinia by the Nile expedition will
force that country TO back her. If she be
and il is impossible that Germany and
Austria can stand idly by and see Italy
crushed by France and Russia. They
must defend her. and that makes their CO.
operation with England certain. Such II
war as is threatened would be a fearful
scourge to mankind, but we cannot help
thinking England holds the vantage
ground and will be able to laugh her
enemies to scorn.
We see but one thing that could imperil
her situation. and that would be a disturb
ance with this country. As to that. what
ever grounds Of quarre, the American
people may find with her, we do not be
lieve they could be induced to modest her
when in the thrOes of such a contest as
she is threatened with. Blood is thicker
than water, and the Americans are never
going to aid in the overthrow of England.
And. as we have touched upon this topic,
we wish to say one word in respect 10
our dispute with her concerning Nene-
zuela. The Americans think the weak
ness Of Great Britain's case is in her re-
fusal to submit the entire dispute between
her and Venezuela to arbitration. We
think the London Spectator, in a recent
article has thoroughly disposed Of that
view. We quote it thus:
The fear that our case might not turn
out as sound and conclusive as it mas been
represented has been dispeAed by the
publication Of the Venezuelan Blue Book.
We DO not, OF course say that there is
no answer To any OF the points raised
therein; or speak Of 1t as If 1t were the
judgment OF a court rather than what IL
is-the case OF one party 90 a dispute
but we do not think we are in the least
eXaggefating when We say that 70 shows
that our Government We're justified in
acting as they have acted. We believe,
indeed. that the only subject for regret
Is that our case is so strong. Those who
are anxious 10 get this ridiculous quarrel
about a swampy forest settled and out
the way will doubtless feel embarrassed
by the strength OF our positiOn-by the
difficulty, that is. OF finding points on
which we can reasonably give way. But
If your ease Is SO strong, why not agree
to a general arbitration, and have done
with it?" That Is an argument often
heard, and one which has superficial
appearance OF conclusiveness. Let those.
however, VINO are inclined 10 argue thus
turn the question the other way, and
they VIII find IL equally conclusive III
our case IS SO strong. why should we arbi-
trate upon 1t at sll?" The nrmness OF
your right TO this or that piece of terri
not good ground for asenting 10 an arbi-
tration, at which your right is 10 be dis
cussed. The risk of an accident and OF
a totally wrong decision being given may
not be very great but no one but a fool
runs the risk In the case Of an estate
which he knows to be his. The submis-
sion TO arbitration involves the notion
that You are not absolutely certain as 10
you'll right 10 that or that piece OF terri
tory. When you are doubtful you agree
to arbitration, but when you are certain
you reply TO the demand for arbitration
that nothing Will make you give up pos
session but the decree OF n tribunal
which in private life is the equivalent Tor
war.
1t is not easy TO meet the logic OF that.