Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-07
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ATTITUDE Of THE POWERS,


One Of the ablest of British states
men, Sir Charles Dixie. is of the opinion
that no attempt will be made by
European powers TO interfere in the
South African war or to take ad-
vantage Of that conflict to promote pur-
poses which some of them are believed
to have hostile to British interests in
other quarters of the world. Sir Charles
gives plausible reasons why he thinks
the leading powers will maintain a posi-
tiOn of absolute neutrality and under
take nothing to further embarrass
Great Britain while hostilities in South
Africa continue. Still it appears to be
fact that British statesmen are care
fully watching the course of events on
the continent and it is not an extrav-
agant assumption that the diplomatic
representatives of Great Britain at all
the European courts are more than
usually vigilant.
The latest advices say that the move
ments Of the Russian foreign minister,
Count Muravieff continue to cause So
licitude in England where it is thought
he is endeavoring to induce France and
Spain to enter into coalition with
Russia, with view to carrying out GER
tain plans in the interest of these
powers. 1t is interesting to note that
Sir Charles Dixie thinks Spain is en-
tirely willing to give whatever assist,
ance it may to Russian designs, by way
of retaliation for the sympathy which
England manifested toward the United
States in the late war, but If such Ia
the case 1t is not apparent that Spain
could be of any material service to Rus
sia and an alliance with that fnan-
cially and physically bankrupt nation
could certainly have no moral effect.
1t would seem, indeed, that such a coal,
ition would necessarily operate to the
disadvantage of Russia.
There is no doubt that Russin has de-
signs on Persia which she would like
n good opportunity to carry out. Not
long since Lord Salisbury predicted
that within the next eighteen months
the English people will know more
about the geography of the Persian
gulf than most of them now do about |
that of the English channel. 1t is also |
fact that France is nurs. |
ing desire for acquisition and NAV
even be dreaming of a time when the
shall become a French
lake. But 1t Is one thing to plan and
another to execute, and the formidable
and perhaps insuperable obstacle to the
out of Russian and French
schemes is Germany. 1t appears to be
pretty we'll understood that Emperor
William has no sympathy whatever
with the ambitions of Russia and
France, the realization of which would
be of no advantage to Ger.
many and might be the reverse. The
German people and perhaps the gov
also are in sympathy with the
Beers and would probably rejoice at
British defeat in South Africa, but
here is no apparent reason why Ger
many should wish to advance Russian
md French interests at the expense of
Great Britain She is not menaced in
my direction by the latter power.
There is no reason to believe that Ger
nan interests in South Africa would
'e endangered by British success there.
good understanding exists between
he two powers in regard to Chinese
fairs. On the whole 1t would seem to
'e the wise policy of Germany TO main
ain friendly relations with Great Brit
in and to decline to assist in strength
ming the power of Russia and France,
which could not benefit German in
erests.
If Germany, therefore, maintains her
resent attitude Great Britain has moth
ng to fear, at least in the near future,
rom any European powers. Russian
ltrigue, ii Is safe to assume, will
mount TO nothing SO long as Germany
emains neutral and declines to have t
nything to do with the schemes and l
esigns of other continental powers.
'othing short of combination of all +
hose powers would be serious men.
ce TO Great Britain and such combi-
alton at this time is obviously imEos-
lble. n
.----
The most amusing plea for votes for Z
ne fusion candidate for county treas II