The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-15

NJ official tApiulldtlol nus I'tll given Oh
the visit just made to st. Petersburg by NJ.
DELCASSE, the French Minister for Foreign
Affairs 1t is generally believed, however,
that the Minister'S purpose was to reassure
the Car in regard to the motives which
prompted President LoUBET'S cordial re-
Spouse to the friendly overtureS recently
received from the German Emperor. The
Interchange OF civilitics, it should be noted,
has been viewed with favor by the whole Of
tn" Paris press with the exception OF three
or four violent organs Of the anti-Dreyfus-
ties, which pour indiscriminate abuse upon
every act of the present Cabinet. NJ. DEL
CASSE was instructed, it is said, to explain
that the present tendency on the part Of the
French Government and people to recon-
citation with Germany, was in no wise cal
culat"d to traverse the interests of Russia
but, on the contrary, was aimed at COM
bination To which Russia herself might
with profit become n party.
The inability Of France, single-handed, to
contend with Germany. has been, for some
time, acknowledged by French experts,
and has been even avowcd by Minister of
War, NJ. DE FREYCINET, on the floor Of the
Chamber of Deputies. Where the conscrip-
tive system is applied with equal rigor in
two countries, it is evident that superiority
must belong to the one possessing much the
larger population, especially if this is in
cr"asing at II rapid rate, whereas the popu-
latiOn of the other remains nearly station
AIRY. 1t was hoped at one time by patriotic
Frcnchmen that the diSpropOrtion of force
on their side would be more than counter
balanced 10y an alliance with Russia.
1t is now known, however, that under the
agreement concluded bctween the Paris and
st. Petersburg governments. the Car ex-
pressly dsclaimcd any intention Of taking
part in any aggressive movement for the
violation Of the Treaty Of Frankfort, and
simply bound himself to intcrpose, should
France be wantony assaulted by Germany
Since Frenchmcn have become conversant
with the restricted nature of the compact,
they have perceived that their hope OF re-
gaining Alsacc-Lorraine is postponed to
the Greek kalcnds, and that they must look
for an extension OF territory in Europe
or outside of it, through some other com
bnaton. The recent zeal for expansion in
West Africa and on the Upper Nile was an
outcome of the disillusion resulting from
the comprehension Of the limitations of the
Franco-Russian understanding.
The collapse of the plans connected with
the Marchand expedition has turned the
thoughts of Frenchmen to the advantages
dcrivable from cooperation with Germany,
especially if this can be attained without
FORGETTING the good will of Russia It would
be possible for Germany, provided Russia
did not interpos" TO assure to France an
~ i,,
more than equivalent to the dismembered
parts of Alsace and Lorraine. The opera
ton would, Of course, involve the extinc-
ton of two small States, to wit: Belgium
and Holland. Although England is bound
by treaty to uphold the neutrality OF Bel
GUM, she would be powrIluss to do So in
the ease supposed, and it is improbable that
she would even make the attempt. BY the
acquisition of Belgium. Franco would not
only gain an addition to her population of
some six millions, most of whom speak
French, but also great increase OF wealth
and tn" possession of Antwerp one OF the
most ilOurshing of Continental seaports,
II is, likewise, probable that King LEOPOLD
L., once di7pOss"sscd of his kingdom
would bc only too glad to let France at
once exercise her prrGmptive right to the
Congo stat" Germany, for her part would
take Holland, which. besides adding to her
wealth and population, would give her the
important port Of Rotterdam, the island Of
Curaroa in the West Indies and the Dutch
East Indian empire
But what, 1t may be asked, could Russia
secure 10y way Of compensation for conniv-
ing Mt the conliscation of Belgium and Hol-
land To tn" profit OF France and Germany
Til" advocates of the transaction have an
answer ready. In tn" presence Of an UNDER
standing between the governments OF Bcr-
lin Paris and ST, Petersburg neither Eng
land nor Austria, they say, could venture to
oppose theimmediatc fultlmcnt of Russia's
long-chHrshed wish to occupy CONSTANT
nople. Even If England should desire once
more to defend he Sultan under the cir,