The times., 1899-12-17

EnGland's Crisis.
It IS the irony Of fate that an attack upon
Great Britain by two Insignificant and next
10 semi-civilized States in Africa should
precipitate crisis threatening not only
the integrity Of British possessions in the
lower end Of that continent, but the whole
fabric OF the vast Empire; but so il has
happened. England at last faces a situa-
tion from which under conceivable condi-
sions her naval superiority would not fur
nish escape, and what military prestige
she has enjoyed in the past has been wiped
out
It was this prestige that to a large extent
has enabled the British Empire to hold
India, 10 occupy Egypt, and to subdue the
Soudan The ease with which the redcoats
under Sir Colin Campbell, Sir Henry Have
lock and their brave colleagues were able
10 put down the Sepoy rebellion; to march
10 Magdsla under Napier. 10 Candahar un-
der Roberts, and to Mandalay under Prem
dergssr, and their more recent successes
against the Mahdist dervishes in the Nile
Valley. have blinded Europe to defects in
the English military system which are
wearing breeches since Balaklava, Inker-
man. and Sebastopol.
While Great Britain has been ueglecting
her military organization. and resting upon
a traditional idea that she could always
employ the land forces Of allies or hire
mercenaries in a case Of emergency. for a
generation or mere she has been pursuing
q policy which increasingly has tended TO
render such resorts impracticable. For
merlE she could use France on occasion,
and ltaiy, and could always rely upon the
friendship Of Turkey with its fierce SOL
diery against Russia. As for Prussia and
Austria, the strained relations between
those States served 10 neutralize both in
the DAYS Of the Crimea. and for years after
ward so that all England had 10 do was to
keep France in good humor, and the Sultan
backed by the British feet in the Dar-
danelles and Aegean Sea was sufficient to
hold the Muscovite power in check.
How things have changed in the last
twenty years has been apparent 10 the most
casual observer Of current events. France.
Germany. Italy, and Russia have all be-
come coloniziug powers, reaching out for
territory In Africa and Asia. and for for
Iided naval stations and ports on the
oceans Russia. cut of from the Me1iter-
ranean. has by superhuman effort projected
and carried well toward completion the
1raus-SI siberian railway system from the
Russian frontier in Europe TO Vladivostock.
on The distant Pacific, and thence has built
and opened a line TO the open waters Of the
Gulf Of Pc Chi Ii in China. Russia also
has pushed her railway system down TO the
Hindoo Koosh mountains prepared to mo
billie for the invasion Of India should such
q movement promise success at some fu-
lure time. The Gar has more recently
planned control Of Persia, and a railway
through that kingdom to the Persian Gulf,
and mas been credited with imminent de-
signs on the Khanate Of AfghaHistan.
France has been obstructed in her move
ueut of conquest In Africa by England,
Who VIII never forgive the latter for out
wlttiHg her in securing control Of the Suez
Canal OF in the occupation Of Egypt which
was ostensibly temporary, but which the
British Government has shown a purpose
10 make permanent. Austria wants a share
o. the Balkan peninsula, a slice Of Albania,
and The port and Gulf Of SaIonica on the
Aegean. Austria also wants port and ter
ritory on the Chinese mainland Italy
longs for a stake in Africa. China and any
where else. Lastly. Germany would add to
her African, Pacific, and Chinese posses
E.ons. but unlike the other Continental
powers. seems able to satisfy her ambition
1n agreement with England. while practi-
oaIy all the others oppose and are opposed
by that country at every place and step.
Germany like Russia. is interested in a
short line 10 the Persian Gulf. projected
uuder her auspices. and which, if built
viii follow the historic valley Of the Eu-
phrates- AS counter movement to the
Russian scheme, this enterprise Is not OBJ
jecdo1able to England.
The international situation in Europe is
further complicated by the Morocco ques-
slou. 10 which We have hitherto several
1imes alluded. The Sultarate is tottering
10 i,s Ial. France and Spain, with Russia's
consent would divide il. France considers
her position in Algeria as constituting
first mortgage lien on the country, and
Spain looks upon territory just across the
Straits OF Gibraltar Is necessary ap-
pauage Ct the Kingdom. But with France
uad spain in possession OF Morocco. the
gate OF the Mediterranean now held by
England az Gibraltar would be equally held
g. a hostile interest and so England, IN
less srst badly crushed, would never con
sent 10 ihe occupation Of the Morocco Medi-
terTaHesn littoral by any other power.
Germany considers a large part OF Morocco
as necessary for the rounding out Of her
African territory, and. as IN other mat
ters. probably could arrive at an under
standing w!th England for a biparuite di-
vision.
H wiil readily be deduced from the fore
going statements that the strength or dan
ger OF Great Britaln's position depends en-
tlrely upon the character and extent Of any
alliance the British Government may have
been abe TO make with the German En-
peror- Unless his interests or engagements
tc.atc something mere than friendly neu-