The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-30

GERMANS RELATION TO EUROPE
Ruuaors OF war follow each other In
rapid succession. and the year 1sas has
been distinguished. even up 10 its last
hours. b. . greater variety Of eo-upliea-
tloas than many a year preceding r.
Fortunately the country has had men s1lf-
ncsentIy cool TO avoid provoking war.
and has shown sufficient strength ard de-
termination 70 keep a wholesome check
upon less 3uoici0us nations. The attitude
OF this country at the close O. the year
Is that y viii not seek and wfI not shrink
from war. peace with honor" was the
policy favored by Disrzeli for England;
and Tor this country No need no better.
perhaps, than "our honor, with peace IL
possible. but in any event our honor"
Across the Atlantic the rumors are fly
,ng fast and furious. The denial OF ths
story told by the London Times about
Germanys willingness 10 Join Spain
against the United States does not con-
cIade all doubt on the subject. The Ger
MAJ emperor In his heart desires war. and
the power he wields makes the conserva-
tism Of his ministers less potent TO pre-
vent It. His delight would be 70 have
German national pride stung TO resent
nent. and TO lead his army 20 the victory
he deems inevitable.
The latest achievement Of German diplo-
macy. II it be indeed true that a secret
treaty has been made with Turkey. places
that nation in direct antagonism to Rus
STA. France and England, II not 20 Austria
and Italy. The interests OF the arst three
are practically the same for the moment,
but they are not altogether the same as
those OF Germany, Austria and Italy.
Russia's interest Is. OF course, too mani
fest to call for comment, and Frances
interests are merely 10 keep on friendly
terms with Russia England's ultimate IN
teresls antagOGize those OF Russia, and il
Is odd % see the lion and the bear agree
Ing Ia any way, even 10 accomplish a
temporary purpose. upon 3 question az
fecting Turkey. Zach desires its disme1n-
berment. but that cannot take place with
out dispute over the spells, each fearing
the other viii get too much. Austria's In
terest Is 70 secure portion Of European
Turkey. and she wiz so with either Ger
many or with England and Russia accord
ingly as she calculates the chances OF
success.
This disclosures recently made by Bis
nEarck Of the duplicity OF Germany a few
years ago prepare the world for belief in
the secret treaty with Turkey. II is of
greater probability than the existence OF
= planned Intention 70 help Spain. That
may be. IS a London paper ssrcastically
puts 1t. one Of the periodical perturbauons
OF the German emperor. such as agitatsd
England. it might have added, when ne
sent his famous dispatch 70 the Beers. If
Germany contemplates a European war,
the popular friendship OF spain would be-
worth having. not FOR the sake OF the
aid she could openly AFFORD Germany. bat
for the sake OF the mischief she could
secretly work against Gsrfnany's enemies.
II war in which any European power
except Spain IS concerned breaks out, it
win be over Turkey. not over Cuba. There
Is a rich prize 10 be won In return for a
venture In war which can be waged in
tho name OF Christianity and humanity.
Whoever may benefit by the partition. Il
viii be a gain TO civilization. and the
survivor OF the most infamous dynssties
and most baroarous peoples Of the dark
ages viii be swept from the face OF the
earth.
II IS only with the aid and sincere CO.
operation OF Russia that England dare
attack tho sultans rights Without Il the
car could foment a disturbance IN Great
Britains Moslem possessions which would
threaten the Indian empire. and It is this
consideration which has kept England
silent and inactive.
Perhaps Germauy's alliance with TNIr-
key may prove by its provocatlon to be
the best thing for Europe, hat az present
her diplomacy seems TO make her mistress
OF the situation. She may not, probably
does not. mean 70 declare war. Her object
is to checkmate England and Russia. sud
provoke them 10 some act which would
stir the German people to fary and engulg
the factions IN torrent OF patriotic dis
regard for all other considerations save
the success Of German arms.