The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-05
BLOW TO FRANCE.
Cars Peace Proposal Ends
Alliance
Between Russia and the French
Republic.
MO R E BITTERNESS
Comes From the Reported
Anglo German Alliance.
Which is Thought to End
Frances Career in Africa.

to say that the cars peace movement
practically ends the alliance between
France and Russia, but nevertheless the
dramatic developments of the Henry
confession have completely overshad-
owed the Importance Of the cars pro-
posa1 for disarmament, or, more accu-
rately, for the cessation of additional
ornaments. This morning a prominent
F'renchman remarked:
1.-THE cars proposal, made without
the slightest friendly warning or offer
of preparatory consultation, is the most
severe blow that France has received
since the treaty of Frankfort. Our
only friend in Europe calmly invites us
to a conference, the condition precedent
to the acceptance of which is that we
should forever renounce all hope OF re-
gaining our lost provinces of Alsace and
Lorraine, and for this France is not
prepared
1t is not exaggeration to say that the
cars proposal practically ends the
Franco-Russian alliance. In military
circles the feeling is still stronger, for
the proposal comes at the moment when
the minister of war is, at an enormous
financial sacrifice, introducing into the
French army the new quick firing neId
guns which is confidently said to be so
per cent more effective than any Weap-
yet in existence.
The vanishing Russian dream is made
still more bitter by the understanding
England and Germany in regard to
Africa and Germany'S approval Of the
logical consequences of General Sir
Herbert Kitchener's KhartOum cam
paien which must effectually nip in the
bud the realization of MarchandS fur
Their ambitious projects in the upper
Nile region.
Mr. Lockroy IS now recognizing the
staff department Of the French navy in
the most drastic manner, and the navy
will before long be provided with a
ganization. This indefatigable minis
ter has already increased the naval
strength by 10000 men, who have been
transferred from the army to form the
nucleus of a new coast defense system
which will thenceforth be under the ex-
elusive control of the navy.
Europeans Suspicious.
Now that the establishment, which
was the chief emotion excited by the
cars suggestion of disarmament, has
somewhat subsidized, it is possible to
gain some idea of the effect of his cir
cular upon European opinion, both Of
fetal and popular.
It must be said that the transports of
joy wherewith the engenuOus lovers of
peace welcomed the utterance, as her
aiding the UtOpian era, have entirely
disappeared. Suspicion of the motives
and object of the proclamation, which
early in the week was denounced as
cynical and unworthy, as rapidly be-
coming general
Public comment in England and Ger
many, has been almost wholly in an
dOrsement of the cZar's sentiments, yet
in no country is the disbelief in Rus
sia's good faith so strong as in England.
question the cars motives but at
heart they have no confidence in his an
genuOusness.
This incredulity finds public express
sion chiefly in the criticism that the pro-
posal is impracticabIe. England, how
ever, will give the car every opportu-
nifty and encouragement to show to
what extent he is willing to put ideas
into practice.
France SkepticaI and Angry.
France is not only skeptical. but ex-
asperated and angry that such radi-
cal move should have been made with
out even a preliminary hint to her as
an allied nation. Tt is significant that
the cars letter should be everywhere
referred to in France as the ''Muravieff
circular" 1t is taken for granted that
it is an important move in the great
diplomatic game now playing and not
Platonic declaration of principles by
the peace loving car. Even the ignOr-
ant masses cry What about Alsace-
Lorrafne?" and the Franco Russian al
lance suffers seriously in popular esti-
nation.
Italy. which of all the countries of
Europe is most severely oppressed by
Russian proposal with the apprehensive
inquiry as to what it means, never for
a moment apparently crediting the czar
with acting in good faith.
The Russians themselves probably
admit that this almost universal dis
trust is not unnatural or unjustified by
the recent Russian policy. 1t has been
pointed out in the past day or two in
every capital of Europe that almos
every great war of the century has been
Immediately preceded by some declara-
ton of pacific intentions from the coun-
try which has proved to be the agrees
sOr.
Moreover, as all the world knows, no
country is so active at the present mo-
ment as Russia in increasing her arma-
ment and in aggression in all directions
where expansion is possible. 1t is not
surprising, therefore, that the second
effect of the peace proposal is to excite
apprehension instead of confidence.