The sun., 1898-11-13
.[lJROP['S MILITARY DRAMA
Signs Of the Times Point to a
Tragic Climax in the
Old World.
WEEK AMONG MONARCHlES
An Alliance Between England ana
the United States Talked of by
the British Premier. The
Great Nations Con.
tinue to Arm.
Special Correspondence to THE Sun.

capitals Of Europe uniolds its feature s
slowly but picturesquely, and all the in
dications point to a tragic climax that
will startle the world. The statesmen Of
all the great Powers are anxious to alert
war, and all that ski,lful diplomacy can
do will be done to prevent resort tc
arms, as not even the wisest OF them can
foretell with anything like accuracy
what may be the outcome of clash be.
tween England and France or England
and Russia.
Renewed interest in the crisis abroad
was created in all the capitals of Europe,
as well as in the United States, by the
speech OF the British Premier, Lord Sails
bury at the recent Lord Mayors banquet
in London. That part OF his speech
which has excited great surprise and
nue.. comment was the remark that the
United States, as ali Asiatic factor the
possessor of the Philippines), may give
trouble to the other Powers; but the
Premier sees no menace in it to Great
Britain. Evidently the English leader
is basing his hopes in this respect on an
Anglo-American alliance-not one in
theory or one based on sentiment, but
one in reality-an alliance that would
place our battleships and our lnen at the
service Of Great Britain, when her foes
rise to attempt her downfall. The other
ut,erances of English leaders are in line
with this idea, but to man up atree,
figuratively speaking, and with knowl-
edge Of past events-including two fights
with the Mother Country-it does not
appear that the theoretical alliance will
ever become a practical on, in which
Americans and Englishmen will advance
with muskets together against a common
foe.
ss*
On the question OF European peace
Lord Salisbury's address was not reas
suring and the press of Continental
Europe, France, Germany and other ma.
tions, find in his utterances grave
menace to peace. He found in the
yielding Of France, (by consenting to the
surrender OF Fashoda), cause for congrat.
ulaton, but he did not see a sufficient
reason in it to induce England to cease
the work of putting the country on 8
war footing. AS indicating England's
isolated position these words of hel
Premier are more than significant:
''If Great Britain should ever permit
her sea defences to weaken, her whole
empire would come clattering to the
ground. 1t is, therefore, impossible il
th" present state and temper of tht
world to inlermit our naval and military
precautions"
As to E:glaDd's arms in Africa Lore
Salisbury clearly explained that the po
stion OF Great Britain there was fa1
different from what it was before the re
cent capture OF Khartoum, and he clear
ly indicated that it was the intention 0
England to MAINTAIN all aggressive policy
in that quarter.
OF frances attitude it is enough tt
say that she continues to arm, and he
entire Mediterranean squadron Is ready
for sea- The expenditure Of about $500,
600, 900 on war ships and naval defence
by France, which is now being arranged
for, shows that the Republic is in grav'
earnest in being prepared for any ener
gency that may threaten her. Russi;
and Germany are armed to the teeth ant
Turkey is Always ready for fight AM
like Russia, can put an army of "a million
men in the field on Short notice.
M =
As showing that it is not in Europ
alone that apprehensions OF great wa
exist, it might be stated that a unite'
States army officer has expressed stron
convictions on the subject.
England could not carry out he
plans in Africa" he said, "without wal
At no time within generation hav
conditions been so favorable to Englan
as they are at present. One of the mos
important elements in favor Of Englan
is that she can count on the friendshi
of the United States, and that, too, at
time when the United States is on wa
footing. If this country should becom
involved it would be prepared to TAX
effective action on very short notice. /
the past the United States has neve
been fri ,ndlv to England.
France has been so stirred by chagri
over her defeat at Fashoda that d,
mand for more concessions may easil
lead to conflict. Aside from the Sol
dan Valley there is the greater questio
relating to the control of Egypt.
"Should Russia seize the opportunit
to push her aggressions in China, oil
would encounter the United States an
Japan, whose interests are identical wit
England's policy Of free trade. Ge
many has paved the way for getting
large slice Of China II the Empire is
G divided"
~
There has not been much progre
made by the Peace Commission at Par
during the week. 1t is evident tn
Spain thinks our war indemnity full
settled by cedinR to US Porto Rico, al
that they will not quit the PhiIippin
without further appeal to Europe, Il
less We pay her $3.50, 100, 900 in cash. SUI
a demand, is, of course, absurd, al
even one-third Of it would not be ,
lowed. Hence the deadlock at Par
All Of Europe does not look with fav
upon our forcible annexation of t
Philippines, and tie German press
particularly savage in it's attacks up
the United States and urges Spain to
sist.
1t is significant, in this connectio
that the German Emperor will, on
return from the Fast, pay visit
Spain. A great mystery is to mark
trip to Cadz or Madrid, but it is gem
ally believed that the eccentric you
War Lord may offer the aid of his v;
. armies and navy to Spain in her extre