New-York tribune., 1896-01-09

thousand miles. with half a dozen BRUSH Snips
10 every one German ship III all those waters.
Tha, they could successfully run such a gantlet
is inconccivable But If they did, where could
they land: The Transvdal does not border on
the sea They would have to land either nt
British port or at Portuguese port. ana march
inland across British or Portuguese territory:
and Portugal and England are just now the
closest Of friends. SO that scheme would not
work
The only possibility Of anything like serious
warfare would lie in some other Powers enter
ing the conflict That might happen. but it does
no, seem probable one naturally thinks OF
Russia. as the traditional foe of Great Britain.
But Russia would be as helpless as Germany at
sea. ana there is little reason to think she de-
sircs to send an army against the British by
land over the forbidding ramparts Of the llindoo
Koosh Moreover. would she break faith and
sever her alliance with France for the sake OF
aiding Frances deadly foe? 1t is not conceiv
able Still less X it TO be imagined that the
other members of the Triple Alliance would take
part in such war Austria-ll Hungary Is even
less of a sea Power than Germany 50 that her
assistance would be Of no account Italy has IA
considerable navy Put even If she could cope
with Great Britain which she could not she
is already too closely bound 10 the latter by
treaties and by community of interests ana she
would have entirely too much 10 lose In such Il
war 10 make her participation possible. There
remains then, only France She Is the one an
tagonisl who could give Great Britain real trou-
blc But would she ally herself for slicl pnr-
pose with her most hated foe, and thus ALLEVIATE
Russia now her one friend? Or would Germany
be willing by Joining hands with France, I"
dissolve the Triple Alliance. undo the work or
wears. and plunge Europe into diplomatic chaos
Really. there seems no reasonable chance OF
any such combination especially on such flimsy
prctcxt as Is now anbrdNl
For. after ALL there is little ground for all TINS
war talk Neither Power has done the other any
injury by deed word. The Kaiser saw
brave little republic in South Africa struggling
10 preserve it> independence ana to maintain
law and order against a band Of alien invahcrS'
and he sent to It's President 4 message al sym
Daihy and congratulation. That Is all. surely
that is not a cause Of war. II should moi De Il
cause Of offence To England unless she was re-
sponsbc for the invasion II band of Bar
barry pirates should attack Gibraltar, ana the
Governor should beat them off. and the King of
Italy should congratulate the Governor. would
France or Spain have therefore any call to 20 to
war with ltayf Great Britain has herself ex-
prcssly disavowed responsibility for and sym
pa,hy with Dr. Jamcson's raid. Surely then she
can have no cause for complaint If the German
Emrcror rcioiccs in the failure Of that raid TO
take offence at his attitude would he 10 confess
that she herself has designs against the pcac"
and independence Of the Transvaal. ana 10 do
that would be herself to furnish cause Of war
There j. report that the German Emperor IN
tends 10 recognize the Independence of the Trans
vaal in foreign as well rs In domestic affairs
and - back il up in entirely abroGainG the
treaty ~ 1884 with Great Britain. That report
is not verified. and it, iruihiulnc>s Is doubtful
But even If IL be true. it Will scarcely disturb
the peace of Europe. Germany will not march
AN army across the North Sea. nor VIII mn Eng
li,h fleet east anchor in the streets OF Berlin.