The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-27
READY FOR WAR.
All Europe In a Camp and Yet a
Conflict May BE Long Deferred.

us
The nations seem wholly to have lost
their old proud self-reliance. Every
one OF them anticipates invasion, pos
siDly next week, certainly next year,
and every one Of them, except, perhaps
ourselves, arms itself to the utmost
limit OF Its resources, says the London
spectator. The continental world is
positively crushed down with arma-
nents; every new discovery in explos-
Ives costs millions in new artillery
and new rifles, while the outlay on IRON
clads and quick firing marine guns ad .
vances as if the nations believed that
the one which voted the last shilling
must be inevitably the victor. We do
not scruple to say that the nations Of
Europe trusted one another as much as
citizens trust one another when pass
ing each other in the street Europe
could be relieved annually Of a. humid
red millions Of taxation, and 1000, 900, at
least of white men could be released
from the unproductive and exceedingly
painful labor.
Not only can this not be done-not
only, that is, can not armies be reduc-
ed to reasonable proportions, say 1OOOOC
men In barracks for every 25, 1000, 900 of
people-but so deep is the fear, so I'M
perfect the self-reliance, that a change
OF the smallest moment in one country
is instantly initiated in another: that
horses and guns are counted down to
half dozens; that the portentous news,
Herr Krupp is making experiments
e&cltes thrill in half a dozen first
class capitals, and If confirmed, will
set all dealers in destructive chemicals
aGog. 1t is certainty that if any
one invented a rife 10 per cent better
than those now used the whole Of Eu-
rope would adopt it, whatever the cost,
rfx I-0Ir l.
power which obtained it's supply first
would instantly invade the others, pro-
baby without declaration Of war
There Is no confidence whatever that
any state would have the fair play
given, as for instance, in the old prize
ring; indeed, considerable proportion
of the taxes is expended on prepara-
tions for what is called quick mobiliza-
ton that is, in readiness to strike
before an enemy is ready or to defend
oneself aginst an Unexpectedly sudden
dow, which is so universally expected
that there is throughout Europe, out
side of England, popular readiness to
hang spies.
That single fact that in every city of the
continent the rough populace will seize and
maltreat or kill any strange artist seen
sketchlng any portion Of a fortress, is
measure of the depth of the fear which,
however it may be yelled, universally pre-
walls. No people, though armored to the
teeth feels any security or APPARENTLY any Of
the pride which would have induced the
lighting men Of old to abstain from COM
plants, to trust their defenses and to pos
sess their souls in patience until the attack
came. All Europe is in the state in which
the women of our southern counties were
when Bonaparte was nightly expected to
land, state compounded of fury, nerves.
credul1ty and very clear idea how terrible
the results of an invasion actually would be-
AS to doing anything, such as restoring order
in Turkey, which might involve risk of a
quarrel, the nations regard such proposals
either as lunacies or as an English farmer
would regard proposal to set fire to a corn
field, because, from the shrieks somebody ap-
peared to be committing murder under the
shelter of the corn.
The cure? The very worst Of the situation
Is that there is no cure. There is no sensible
reason why it should not last for twenty
years. The nations, though wearied and un-
happy, can still struggle on; they will not
cease to be jealous unless by some miracle
they should cease to be poor, and no means
can be even suggested for renewing their
fears. They cannot make their fortresses
stronger, or their armies larger, or their
rifles quicker than they are, or if they could
their rivals would at once have the same ad-
vantages. Statesmen have ceased even to
discuss projects Of disarmament, which, In
deed, can have little reality when the whole
civil population has become drilled army
reserve, and third of it could be sum-
moned in week to take the field.
AS to proposals for arbitration, they are
regarded as fancies, as indeed, they are,
till tribunal is found strong enough to give
sanction to It's DEGREES; while as to new law
OF war, insuring that time shall be given for
defense, it is a useless dream of the philan-
thropists. The nations do not believe that in
their case it would be obeyed. war that
would exhaust mankind until it would consent
to sullen peace is the only hope, and who
that understands what the next war will
be Is able to accept that hope as a source of
consolation? Even the retrocession of Alsace-
Lorraine would do little to eradicate suspicion,
which the position Of Turkey has recently
deepened and made far more aggressive
Twenty-Five years have not dulled the sense
OF dread in Germany and France and We at
least see no reason why it should grow dull
even In quarter of a century more. There
is nothing for it but to endure and wait, and
if we can to introduce some restrictions into
our habitual glorification of the sense and
moderation and civilization Of Europe After
all, if we have no faults, we have at least
weaknesses. and 1t Is vain to deny that they
cost good deal. Imagine what we should
think Of man who, in our day and in
Europe, spent one-half of his free income
in paying a patrol to guard his house. Yet
we are doing that, and no one can prove
clearly that the expense is not required.