New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-16
DER GRossDEUTscHE BUyD.-

The possible effect Of the Russo-Japanese war
upon European affairs and upon the map Of Eu-
rome has been one Of the most interesting topics
OF speculation in connection with the East
Asian controversy II is known. OF course. that
Great Britain is Japan's ally, and is bound to
aid her II she IS attacked by more than one
great power, and that France sustains SINH
lar relation to Russia II is also known that
Germany. while holding strictly aloof from
East Asian complications and regarding Man
churia and Corea as entirely foreign 10 her
spbere Of interest, IS maintaining for her own
advantage On oppOrtuniSt attitude Of uncommon
vigilance and preparation. There have been
some predictions, made with an air OF much
confidence, that IL Great Britain and France be-
came involved in an Eastern war Germany
would improve the opportunity by annexing
Denmark and perhaps both OF the Low Coun-
tries: chiefly. Of course, for her own gain, but
partly TO blockade the Baltic against a British
attack upon Russia. in return for which service
Russia would not only acquiesce in such seiz-
ure but also would cede 10 Germany the Baltic
provinces Of Courland. Livonia and Esthonia.
These predictions we must regard as some
what fantastic. Russia has no mind TO surren-
der three rich provinces. including several OF
her southernmost Baltic ports We can under
stand that Germany covets Denmark. for the
sake Of tie integrity of her own coastne and
Of her control OF the passage between her
Baltic and her North Sea ports. For precisely
similar reasons did the United States desire
Florida. and does Russia desire Corea. But it
is inconceiva Die that the conquest Of Denmark
could be achieved without first defeating Great
Britain and the Scandinavian kingdoms. Swe-
den and Norway are not commonly regarded a
militant powers; but an attack upon Denmark
would be such n menace 10 them that they
would simply have 10 resist IT, They might
not withstand the might OF Germany; but their
participation in the struggle would be by no
means a negligible factor. and it would make
Just SO much more toward a universal war
We are not sure. either. that German is
reckoning on getting Denmark in any event.
Her Kiel Canal has made her Independent Of
the Cattegat Vessels can now get from Dant-
zic TO Hamburg by canal far more quickly and
safely than by way Of The Sound. Nor do
German expansionists put Denmark upon their
list We have before Us a map Of der Gross
deutsche Bund,' or the Great German Copfed-
Grafton. as Il is TO be fftv years hence. II sets
forth graphically the expansionist-and con-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of that Pan-Germanic
League which was founded ten years ago with
o few thousand members. and which now num-
beers millions and ranks among the great polti-
cal forces Of the empire The map does not
take IN Denmark. 1t does take I'm Holland and
Belgium. and even the northern corner OF
France ms far down as Calais; also the bulk OF
Switzerland and Northeastern Italy down TO
Treviso; and Austria Hungary. OF course, ex-
cepting Lower Dalmatia. Croatia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Pennsylvania and Gallcia. The
Russian frontier remains unchanged.
Such an empire. beyond question. is what
multitudes OF Germans including men OF light
and leading. are working for and expecting