The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-05-20
EUROPEAN UPRISING.
The Probable Eject of General

War.
If the. alliance of the three emperors,
of Austria, Russis and Germany, holds
out, what can the rest of Europe do?
The Balkan and other eastern and south
eastern provinces have been led into the
combination, giving three emperors, it
is estimated, a fighting force of little
short of 12,000,000 men. 1t seems to be
combination of eastern Europe against
western Europe and western Europe
has the weakest end of the continent.
France, Italy and England together
have a fighting strength of hardly S,000,-
900 men and France has not been on the
best of terms, historically at least, with
either Italy or England. The DISPOSE
ton of Spain and Portugal and Holland
and Belgium and Norway and Sweden
and Denmark in event of an outbreak of
a general European war would be prob
lematical. They would try to remain
neutral, probably, if that should be pos
sible. Spain has enough to do to put
down the instructions in her colonies.
Norway and Sweden are practically
isolated from the rest of Europe and
could profit by their situation and loca-
! ton. Holland and Belgium would be
right between the contending powers
in northern Europe. The natural affilia-
tions of those two little but populous
countries would be with western E.-
rope Belgium is half French and Hol-
land has no love for Germany, for Ger
many is generally suspected of having
designs on that country. ~
At home England might have trouble
with Ireland, the Irish leaders would de-
nand large concessions or give the rul
ing island a great deal of trouble. On
the sea, France, Italy and England COM
bined have two-thirds of the naval
strength of Europe and could sweep
everything before them. but the great
war would not be fought on water, but
on land and that land in the vicinity of
the Mediterranean. In the division of
the spoils, for it would be a war of
spoIiation, Russia and Germany and
Austria would help themselves and the
rest would get nothing.
Such might be the course of a general
European war, which, according to
many statesmen versed in foreign
, affairs, now seems probable. 1t would
be the most destructive war the world
has ever seen. France and Germany
could not fight on the same side and
Germany and England could get along
no better together, for the anti-German
feeling in England has become acute.
Germany and France have contended
and may contend again for territory,
but Germany and England may in the
future contend for the commerce of the
world. Such at least are the hopes and
ambitions of the Germans, who have
a%eady gone everywhere with their
wares. In the general European war,
Greece and Turkey, who would have
been the cause of it, would be lost sight
Of.
What effect would European war
have on America? At first the effect
would be increased prices for all Amer
lean products and manufactures. Eu-
rope would eat everything that this
continent could raise. Millions of men
would be taken from the producers and
country would go up with bound and
stay up. This is no doubt allurihgt0
some Americans. But in the end would
it be Il blessing to this country? We
think not. The increased prices would
be a benefit to some, but a hardship to
others. We have consumers as we'll as
producers, in this country, and if the
former receives more for what he has TO
sell, he would also pay more for what
he has to buy. And after the great war
was over would come a period of de-
preston, sooner or later, the steady
consumption of American products
would be interfered WITH because of
the disturbed industries and condi-
tons. 1t is now generally recognized
that action and reaction are equal.
Americas position in event of a
great European war would be that of
strict neutrality. 1t would be a strug-
gle in which we could take no sides,
and in which our affections would be
greatly divided, although the prepon-
derance of sympathy would be with
the nations of western Europe, both be-
cause they are nearer to us geographic
ally and nearer to us by race and
blood. There would be plenty of
work for the American navy, however,
to protect our ports from marauders,
and to protect the rights of Americans
abrOad.-IOwa State Register