New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-18

T Oint or view, In the world, ana as lOIS as SHe
not only refuses TO take part in any scheme for
universal dsarmament but openly declares
through the mouths Of her chief politicians and
mos, responsible statesmen that she has been
aruing for twenty-seven years with the single
idea that day will come when she could OBJ
tain by war her lost provinces OF Alsace and
Lorraine from Germany. it is usolcss to expect
either the Kaiser or his allies at Vienna and at
Rome to regard as practicable the Cars scheme
tor disarmament
Franco does not hcgitate TO declare that she Is
unal.lrably opposed to the Cars project unless
some compromise can be arrived at which would
restore TO ner Asace and Lorraine. and that to
cx1ect her to disarm without some sort OF re-
ARRANGEMENT Of this kind Of her Eastern frontier
would he for her 20 have spent twenty-seven
years in vain preparation. The Paris press goes
on 10 hint that had the French people been
aware Of the disarmament scheme OF the Car
when he came to Paris two years ago. his wei
come would have been less enthusiastic, and
likewise intimates that France would have re-
Trained from many costly sacrifices In matters
Of policy and finance had she dreamed for one
moment that Emperor Nicholas would disap-
point her most cherished hopes Of helping her TO
recover her lost provinces.
The French assert that the responsibility for
keeping all Europe what is practically war
footing must not be laid at the door OF France,
but at that OF Germany and that II the Kaiser IS
really sincere in his desire for disarmament he
should II not restore Alsace- Lorraine to France.
at any rate endow them with independence and
constitute them a sort OF neutral and independent
State such rs Belgium or Luxembourg. which
would act as a species Of buffer between France
and Germany Such aims as general disarma-
rnent. the French add cannot be obtained with
out sclf-sacriAce. and France sees no reason
whatsoever why she. rather than Germany,
should be expected to do all the sacrificing
THE KAISER PREPARES FOR WAR.
The response Of Emperor william to this has
been prompt. 1t has come in the eloquent form
Of = decree increasing the Gcrr Army by
some nifty battalions. coupled with a speech III
the course Of which he declared that there was
10 letter method Of preserving peace and avert
Ing war than by the maintenance Of per-
fcc,ly equipped and splendidly organized army.
as far as possible superior TO Mat OF every
other Power. And he has likewise reiterated
his firm determination Of holding every rood OF
territory possessed by Germany when he came
to the throne and for which he Is responsible
10 his people This does not look very much az
II he were disposed 20 sacrifice the possession
OF Alsace and Lorraine for The sake OF universal
Disarmament: and now that he. as well as all
Europe. has received public. and one might
almost add official animation that the sole
object OF Frances huge armament is to take
advantage Of the FIRST opportunity to embark
upon a war FOR the reconqUcst OF Alsace-l"r-
ru.ne. he can hardly be blamed II he declines
10 wait for France 10 choose the hour Tor the
Inevitable struggle and suits his own conye-
nlcncc In the matter. Frances attitude likewise
MT. f,..,,