The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-26
BELGIUM NOW A FACTOR.
4 NEW SCHEME AsCRIBED 10 TEE
GERIAN EMPEROR.

decorative Poitlc. which Eusiana ana France
view with au~sp,ctop-The Duke or York IN
ireland Forses Rssertson,s Triutnph In
"namiet"-Gen sarAtsert'a Revelations.
LONDON, Sept. ~l7.-Ldttle Belgium has sud.
senly been raised from q 0rdntitG neotiOobls IN
factor OF high Importance in The diplomatic
world. The integrity and independence Of Leo
pold's kingdom are guaranteed by the great
powers, and 1t has been supposed by Belxiann
themselves and BY the rest of tho world that the
possibility OF turning the Geld OF wsterloo once
moro into the cockpit Of Europe was very re-
mote indeed. 1t is just this danger. however.
which has given alarm to France especially and
has annoyed the British Foreign Onico consider
ably. II Is one OF the German Emperor's ambi-
tous schemes which has disturbed the diplo-
matte situation. His fondness for decorative
politics Is notorious, and he 10 credited with the
Intention TO pay. ere long. u visit to King Leo
pold at Ostend. to be followed BY . private visit
70 the Queen in Scotland.
The object OF the Belgian visit, 90 It IL under
stood in diplomatic circles, 10 to induce the King
to consent in certain contingencies to the use Of
Belgian territory for German military opera.
lions in the event OF war with France. 1t was
even reported In Paris recently that a secret
treaty to this effect already existed between
Germany and Belgium. but 1t may safely be said
that this was an exaRgeration. Tho idea 10, of
course, inherently improbable. It would re-
quire ONE tremendous compensation, the
Sature of which is difficult to imagine, to in
duce an independent and unconcerned country
% permit q foreign army to occupy and over
run II. no matter how friendly its intentions
might be. France is by no means the only ma
sion which would resent the suggestion out
side OF Belgium itself. Great Britain was alb
solutely infexible upon the point of Belgian in
tegrity at the only time It has been threatened.
1t is significant to recall British action on this
point at the outbreak Of the Franco.German
war in 1870.
War was declared on July Is, q proclamation
Of neutrality was issued by the British Govern
ment on the 10th. and on the 21st Mr.. Glad
stone, who was then Prime Minister, was In o
position to inform tho House Of Commons that
both the belliRerents had given satisfactory AZ
surances Of their desire to respect the neutrality
Of Belgium. Holland. and Luxembourg, assuming
that each country was able to defend Its own
territory, and that 1t was not violated by either
Of the contending powers. Tho publication,
-four days later. by the Times Of the historic
"secre Treaty" in which the independence Of
Belgium was threatened. constrained the Brit
ish Government to take moro decisive measures.
On July 80 the Cabinet authorized the Foreign
Secretary 1.-THE late Lord Granville) to propose to
France and Prussia Q treaty declaring that,
II the armies of either belligerent violated
the neutrality Of Belgium, Great Britain
would cooperate with the other in its
defence. but without engaging to take
part in the general operations of the war. This
treaty. which was to hold good for twelve
months after the existing conflict had concluded.
was promptly signed by the three powers con-
cerned. and Mr.. Gladstone Immediately claimed
credit for this wise and spirited policy-not
the less wise because Il was spirited"
The question now raised Il somewhat different.
II Belgium Of her own voiition should permit
the use of her territory for military purposes by
another power. would Great Britain DO con.
strained to interferel Perhaps 1t II not worth
while to debate the point until the possibility OF
Its arising becomes greater than It seems to be
ct the present moment. 1t 10 significant, how
ever. that the most serious issue now before the
Belgian people IL the attempts being made BY
the military party in the country to increase the
domestic military organization. A vigorous
effort 10 about to be made to induce Parliament
20 increase the present conscription. which Il
already 90 severe that It Ii the cause Of strong
popular demonstration against it A loca
election in Brussels this week showed that tn,
Socialist vote there has quadrupled within thre'
years, and tho cause 10 said to DO almost exclu
sively the working class detestation OF the pro
posed changes IN the military lawn.
How widespread 10 the feeling was proved OF
Q Sunday q month ago. when an anti-militaris
demonstration upon an enormous scale tool
place in the Belgian capital. For two hour
there passed along the chief boulevards n I'm
broken procession of workmen and workwome
from all parts Of the country. At the head wa
carried Q banner which declared that each dem
o~nstrator represented ten workers too poor +
como to Brussels; and tho most frequent mot
toes on the flags that followed were French sen
fences embodying the sentimental. "Down wit
miIitarism." Down with the blood tax. dow
with the barracks" and "Ho more lotterie
with human hesh" while ono Of the keenes
elements Of bitterness in the protest lay In tn
frequently seen motto. "The patri ,tism Of tn
rich costs l, 800 francs" o condemnation Of tn
substitute system which was telling in It's bre1
ity. They know how to demonstrate" in Be
GUM, as I discovered during the free sufrag
riots there about four years ago. 1t is safe t
say that any attempt to impose serious add
tional burdens In military service upon the cit
sens OF this non-combatant little country will b
vetoed by them in q manner that win not DO les
than revolutionary.
The Duke Of York 10 at present o source {
anxiety to his august relatives and those couI
officials whose business 1t 10 TO ~eontrive pop
iarity for the royal family. His recent puoli
performances In Ireland and Scotland were {
have been his Introduction to the round of Of
namental functions which the Prince Of VALE
always mdnbgeu 10 porIoIm VIA BUZZ Boo
sense and good humor. and which It 10 no
thought time to delegate to his son. Tho Duh
would DO forgiven for showing an indifference
foundation stones and charity bazaars II on an
occasion he could display an intelligent intere'
In his surroundings or utter q word that was nj
written down for him beforehand. Neither
these things is within his capacity; and nov
from q beginning of negative inonensiveness, b
has come to stand In imminent danger OF pos
tive unpopularity. This 10 what the Dublin co
respondent of a loyal Unionist London pap
has TO say of the Irish tour:
Notwithstanding all that has been said ar
written on the matter both In ireland and En-
land, the visit has, to o very largo extent. bee
. failure. Let not English men and womt
make the mistake of thinking that the Irii
people have any kind Of regard or affection II
the royal family of their country. They regal
them. indeed. with the most absolute
difference.