The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1898-11-05
VOLCANIC EUROPE.


One cannon shot, fired in hos
tility, would almost certainly set
Europe in a blaze of war.
Of the Powers among which the
continent is divided, most of those
of Importance arc close to the
verge of a conflict over some In
| ternal, continental, colonial or
foreign question. The others
have either just been beaten at
| war, are too poor to afford quar-
rel of greater proportions than
civil riot, or else are either so
small as to be beneath notice, or
SO closely allied to one of the
great nations as to have their
quarrels swallowed up in those of
their allies or masters.
In France is the most serious
aspect. That uncertain Republic
| is beset by anarchistic mobs, en-
dangered by corrupt and schem-
ing army, threatened by plotting
royalists who hope to regain su-
premacy, browbeaten by Germany.
England has no serious internal
or colonial difficulties, but she is
not many steps from tronble; with
France over Fashoda, or with
France over the multifarious
Chinese question.
Germany, aside from her old
quarrel with France, has further
reason for keeping her fleet in
sailing shape and her army
in marching order in the new
troubles that best France, and
(Which threaten in several ways to
draw the Kaiser into the quarrel.
Russians ruler, although he has
formally invited all the other na-l
tions to join him in a peace con-
ference, has, not ceased to equip
his armies and to improve his
fleets, while he yields no jot of
anything he has, nor to any of the
claims made by England. He has
also, according to late adyiees,
found cause for anger in the
friendly attitu of Germany to-
wards England. He evidently re-
sents any nation along the lines of
his peace proposition which does
not include Russia as a beneficiary
Italy would probably be on the
verge of war with some nation
larger than little Colombia were
it not that her poverty is too great.
As. it is, she must content herself
with an occasional riot, of little
present magnitude, but important
as an indication of existing con-
ditions.
Spain is more interested in eff
forts to escaped from some of the
results of her. last disastrous ad-
venture in war than in seeking
fresh troubles abroad; but her
Carlists and other insurrectionists
are threatening revolution which
may not only overthrow that Gov
ernment. but drag into the conflict
half dozen other Powers.
In addition to these national
troubles, the huge. international
pest of anarchism threatens to
take advantage of the prevailing
unsettled conditions to actively
develop itself. Every Monarch
or President in. Europe fears more
than ever for his personal safety;
every one fines hope or fear in
frequent speculation as to the de-
velopments that would follow the
assassination or overthrow of a
brother ruler, the possibilities of
disruption or reorganization of
the fallen rulers nation, and the
advantages or disadvantages that
might result to himself thereby.
And it is safe to say that large
partsof the constant military vi
GLANCE Of European nations is for
Che purpose of developing or re-
sisting any favorable or unfavora-
BILE conditions which might arise
as the result of anarchy.
Nearly laH of the Eur opean ma
tions haEe consented to send
representatives to the sdisarma-
ment congress proposed BY the
Gar; butsit is nevertheless proba-
BILE that there will not be even
3 temporary suspension in the
work Of enlafking and equipping
armies and a increasing and
strengthening the navies. The
Indications are estronger than ever
that the great european war that
has so long bee prophesied may
yet thunder terrible farewell to
the old century nd greet the new
one with = crimson baptism.