Washington sentinel., 1899-09-09
sur FOR EIoN NEW IS
Translated and Selected IrO1s leading
kNr0bsGHbGbsYST0y tie SENTINEL
ENGLAND.
GERMANY AND FRANCE.
L0HR0N .Sbeckak0r.

London SbectakOT,
We do not believe that this country is
in serious danger from a European
coalitiOn-frstlY, because OF the diff.
Guilty Of forming one; secondly. because
of the difficulty OF paying one for so
enormous a risk and effort; and thirdly,
because we think it more than probable
that Great Britain, even without the
active assistance OF the United States,
could defeat such a eoalition at sea, and
so reduce 1t to the condition Of partial
paralysis in which Napoleon lay after
Trafalgar. If the continent could not
go to sea, the continent could neither
subjugate nor plunder Great Britain.
We do believe, however, that statesmen
OF great Importance in the world have
thought over combinations which, if
they succeeded, would at least seem to
be directed against this country, and
would, in any event, give its people a
most anxious half an hour. The most
attractive, and on the whole the least
impossible, of these combinations is an
alliance of France and Germany; and
we do not wonder, therefore, that even
a rumoT of such a contingency rouses
writer's like "Ignotus," in the National
RevfeV for August, to utter a Cassandra
like note Of warning. He believes that
the German Emperor would like to form
a combination between Germany-with
Austria and Italy behind her--and
HFanpa n n haN
against Great Britain. and subsequently,
against the United States. We can quite
believe he would, and Tor a reason which
is too often forgotten. Everybody rec
ognizes the intense desire felt both IN
Germany and France for colonial
dependencies, which, as their statesmen
fancy may introduce new wealth, and
so avert the uprising from below which
is the permanent cloud in their horizon;
but a great many overlook, as "Ignotus"
has done, the bitterness cansed by an
other aspect of the situation. The
immense sacrifices endured by the
peoples of both Germany and France
for generation, sacrifices which they
are now asked to increase by the crea-
ton OF great fleets, have been almost
entirely sterile. The two countries
neutralze one another. France and
Germany are forbidden to expand IN
Europe, the former by terror OF provok.
ing superior forces, the latter by
alliances which bind her not to disturb
the peace for her own advantage alone.
France cannot acquire Belgium, or
Luxembourg, or Piedmont, or Catalonia;
Germany cannot acquire Holland, or
Denmark, or the German provinces of
Austria. Each must rest content,
though crushed by the weight OF new
armor. The ambitions Of both are
limited, as it we're iorcibly, to trans.
marine expansion, and neither while
they are enemies to each other dare
risk transmarint war. France cannot
dream OF Egypt or Burmah; Germany
cannot hope for the Congo. or Eastern
Archipelago, or Brazil. Each is forced
TO watch the other, and neither can stir
abroad. Il is natural that under such
circumstances grave and ambitious men
should ask whether it is not possible to
lay enmitY aside, for time at all events,
and, either by an alliance, or by secret
agreement al hoe, recover full liberty
of action, The two powers together
might be able to bribe Russia by gifts
in China or Turkey, and then compel
Great Britain not to interfere with them,
and ihen the world would be before
them where to choose their prey.
''Ignotus" is persuaded that the
German Emperor IS eager for such an
agreement, and accumulates a number
Of small facts in proof OF his argument.
We shall not discuss them. for we think
he is thus far right, that William the
IL. would like an agreement with France
exceedingly, and could he get one by
iatteriDg France, would pour out
smooth speeches and tcourtesies
without stint. Nor shall we deny his
other proposition. that although France
longs at heart for military prestige, she
would like to infict great humiliation
upon her secular rival, England, and
might with adequate provocation be
willing for that end TO postpone, though
she will never wholly abandon, the
ysvaNehS. We will admit all that, and
| still we remain unconvinced. In the
first place, the new coalition would