Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-11-15

exerted in securing preponderating in
nuence in the semi-barbaric courts of the
Ameer and the Shah So successfully
has this diplomatic intrigue been carried
on that to-day 1t is generally believed
that Russia has engaged by secret treaty
to occupy Afghanistan with Russian
troops in order to preserve order after
the death of the present Ameer and Sc
cure the throne to his successor.
And 1t is an open secret in European
capitals that the Shah has agreed to give
Russia the port of Bunder-Abbis, on the
Persian gulf, whenever Russia chooses to
occupy 1t, and has also granted conces-,
sions to Russian syndicates for railways
running from Russian soil to the Persian
gulf. Russia's control of the Persian
gulf would be dangerous to the British
| Indian empire.
Russia's designs in China are equally
understood. Already the Gear holds the
Manchurian peninsula and Is disputing
with Great Britain at Picking the right.
to dictate terms and concessions to the
Chinese Government.
France the zar's Ally,
As far as territorial acquisition is CON
cerned, France has almost as much to
gain as Russia. Then, too, France il
still smarting under the chagrin of the
Fashoda incident, when year ago Mai
Marchand was unceremoniously bundled
out of the Upper Nile country by Lord
Kitchener.
France has territorial ambitions in AZ
RIGA and China, and unfortunately in the
present crisis these ambitions run counter
to British interests. France would like
to add Morocco to the western frontier
of Algeria, and in general European
, war undoubtedly would endeayor to seize
It. II united Europe should defeat Great
Britain in war, the latter would be driven
out OF Egypt, and the British control
pass to another power. and France
would again step in to demand the land
of the Pharaohs as its share of the booty.
With Egypt would go naturally the con
troll of the Suez canal, this depriying
Great Britain of its short road to India.
In China France. too. would expect to
gain in war with Great Britain. France
already has a strong foothold in the ORR
ent.
| Added to all this is the feverish condi-
ton OF France at home. The army is
dlsaffected, conspiracies are rife and roy
alist plotting is incessant. The republic
is torn by internal strife. Nothing would
clear the French atmosphere more thor
oughly than war in which factional
quarrels at home would be forgotten and
employment given to great army that
long has chafed under idleness.
Will Kaiser Aid Queenf
The crux of the whole situation seems
to rest with the German Emperor. If
Germany casts its lot with Europe, Great
Britain may as well call out its last avail
able man, for the sea girt empire will
indeed be in danger. But there is an
parent reason to believe that Germany
will cast its lot with Great Britain.
Several months ago before the Trans
vaai negotiations assumed dangerous
phase, Lord Salisbury and the German
ambassador to the court of st. James
reached an agreement which to-day is
the most mysterious diplomatic secret in
all Europe. The mysterious agreement
between Great Britain and Germany,
which Is exciting so much concern in
Europe, is variously interpreted, the most
probable explanation of its tenor being
hazarded by an English statesman, who
believes it gives Germany free hand in
the kaiser's pet project of establishing
a great German colonial empire in Asia
Minor.
Ii Germany unites its feet with Great
Britain and holds its army ready to
march against France and Russia the
proposed European coalition will end In
buster. If, on the other hand, Germany
shall finally decide to make terms with
France and Russia, trusting to an agree
ment with those powers to give it what
it wants in Asia Minor or any other
quarter of the globe, the coalition is as
good as formed.
The Smaller Powers.
The attitude of the smaller powers is
worthy of consideration, for they could
hardly escape being drawn into any con-
troversy which involves Great Britain,
Russia, France and Germany.
Take Italy first. Italy is almost The
only exclusively Mediterranean power,
and must, for its own protection, exercise
a considerable voice in the control of
that great inland ocean. 1t is mem
Der Of the dreibund, that offensive and
defensive alliance which calls Italy's
army into the field whenever Germany