The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1909-02-25


poverty-stricken partly owing to the
princes own eXtravagances and mania
for gambling. One of his daughters
is the present queen of Italy.
War Would Mean Change.
OF Abdul Hamid II. of Turkey little
need be said During his reign of 80
years he has lost most of his domin
ions in Europe, and as the regenerated
Turkey, under constitutional rule, has
shorn him of most of his govern
mental power, he becomes much less
dominant figure than before in the
ruling of the Ottoman empire.
If there should be war there surely
will be some radical changes in the
map of Europe. Truly, in the event
of general hostilities, some historic
battlefields would be trampled again.
The entire area of central Europe is
a memory of wars of the past; one
can scarcely tread square mile of
ground without putting ones foot
upon some battlefield of bygone
time.
The total war strength of the Euro
pean nations at present concerned in
the diplomatic negotiations over the
Balkans is represented by a total of
1898, 00e troops, which includes en-
listed men and reserves. But reckon
ing the number of men actually avail
able for duty, though unorganiZed, a
European war could mean the employ
ment in the work of killing of 13, $50.
600 men, or a grand total of 81 ,959 600
men in land forces alone. The employ
ment OF the navies of the same ma
lions could mean the engagement of
a total of 122 modern battleships
1902 other vessels of war and 1862, 561
men.
The total wealth of these same ma
tons is represented in gigantic fig
ures, no less than $215, 100000, 900 OF
all the European powers, France is
best able financially to face war
The individual wealth of France il
greater than that of any of her rivals
and her internal financial responsible
tiles are less. Germany is not in g
healthy financial state. Turkey has
been financially corrupt for ages, but
somehow, she always can get the
money to fight.
Always Prepared for War.
There has been, no serious European
outbreak since the Russo-Turkish wal
of 1878, though for several years be
fore that Europe had known little
peace. The Franco-German war o
1870, the Crimean war of 1856 and the
near memories. In the Balkans them
selves there has been no real peace
for years past. The Bulgars, the Turks
and the Greeks have lived In a STATE
of turmoil.
For all The Haugue peace confer
ences and talks of treaties and arbi
trations, Europe looks out upon tn,
spring with quivering eye and nerves
| a-tlngle The jealousies of races ant
nations scatter treaties and pape
bonds to the four winds. How loni
before the clash? The Turk in hi
mad fanauclsm, guarding religion ant
race in the manner in which he enjoys
the greatest fighting unit in the world
perhaps, though always lacking lead
ership and discipline; the Bulgar M
less warlike and capable of guerrill;
campaign second to none. the Greel
and all the mixed bloods of the Orr
ent combined; the Teuton and tn,
Slav, the Norman and the Anglo
Saxon, with little chance for the Latil
to escape, If Italy sees fiji 20 keep faitl
with her allies-all likely to be in
volved in setting the Old Worlt
ablaze! A continent of peoples clash
ing and struggling for that pride o
place which diplomats choose to tern
the balance of powerl" How long
! The spring may tell