New-York tribune., 1909-04-04
GAINS IN PRESTIGE.


This being the case, the question VIII natu-
ralIy be asked as to whether it would not nave
pge, we'll for the American government TO have
made 3-s voice heard and its weight felt in the
f-,~onean crisis OF which the first chapter mas
s,et heer7 brought TO a conclusion through the
reluctant acceptance by Russia Great britain
and France Of Austrias annexation OF Herze-
goyisa and Bosnia. without compensation oi
snv kind to Servia. But on due consideration
the United States may be congratulated upon
having refrained from taking any action. She
has gained thereby alike in prestige and IN pol
-, II Sc Infinitely better for her honor and
reputation as a great power that she sHouIu ho'
have become a party TO what is at the best
,ioIs-ior- of the most sacred treaty engagements
.a oF SOLEMN international pledges. Russia,
r--anoa and England have just been compelled
N submit To the coup detat Of Austria, sup
r,o-ted as was the last named by Germany after
having proclaimed TO the world tnat emperor
r77ancis JSseph would be compelled TO answer
for his act of spoliation 10 congress OF great
movers. which would insist upon compensation
TO Servia and to the Sultan
BY holding her hand the United States has
been spared the humiliation suffered by these
bowers at the hands of Germany and Austria
which refused to accept any conference except
ing on terms SO preposterous as to render Its
Gathering wholly useless. The people Of this
great Republic have therefore, every reason to
be satisfied with the policy Of abstention pur-
Eued by their government at Washington with
regard TO the European crisis during the last
six months.
II Is however but the first act upon which
the curtain may be said TO have been rung
down through the acceptance by Great Britain
France and Russia OF the intolerable conditions
tunposed upon them by Vienna and her ally at
far from haHyp
cleared by the submission OF the Franco Russo
E3rittsh coalition 10 Austria and Germany is
mora stornn-Iaden even than last fall. or during
the early spring OF this year The English and
the French are filed with deep resentment-a
resentment all the more profound, as they feel
that they are not prepared at the present
time to enforce their views or 20 give express
sion 10 their sentiments by means OF arms
They have likewise begun TO recriminate against
each other-England on the subject of the naval
weakness Of France and the latter regarding
the chaotic and disorganized state Of the Brit
ish army.
In France people are likewise sarcastic about
thu value OF an ally such as Russia, which,
while forever borrowing French money. can
never be relied upon to support France when
the latter finds herself at odds with foreign
powers. In fact, the French people who
comparatively Indifferent to what goes in
the Balkans and who have found the alliance
with Russia and the entente cordiale with Eng
land OF little use In moments of crises
turning their faces in the direction of Germany.
especially since the recent understanding be-
tween Paris and Berlin the subject of Mo-
rocco and about a number Of other matters still
more important. but not yet disclosed. In Rus
ea the indignation among all classes is intense,
and the Foreign Minister Iswolsky, formerly at
isched 10 the Russian Embassy at Washington.
and record having been turned down" bv
The Union Club OF New York as undesirable
when UP for election. VIII be called upon 10 re-
Sign his Office for having permitted himself to
De mated at every move on the political chess
board by the Austrian Foreign Minister Baron
Won AehrenthaI-
The thoughtful and well educated lieges Of the
Cxsr realize perfectly well that Russia is neithe-
economically nor railitarily prepared at the