Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-07-26
The Franco German War Cloud.

France and Germany are nearer to
war than they have been at any time
since Prince Bismarck, acting for the
newly created emperor of the newly
created German empire, forced upon
France. under the walls of Paris, a
humiliating peace as the penalty for
French defeat at Sedan.
War as the result Of the present
tension can be avoided only by one
power or the other backing squarely
down. And as to the possibility of
France giving way, il is well to Keep
in mind that every Frenchman has
longed for the coming Of that day
when France should have 'revanche'
for the peace of Paris. Under the
terms of that peace France was com
PEELED to cede two of her richest pro-
vinccs, Alsace and Lorraine, to Ger
many, and to pay into the German
treasury a billion dollars in cash.
Since that day, now forty years ago.
the two nations have been preparing
for another war which each has con-
sidered inevitable. In order TO keep
prepared. Germany has expended up
on her army quite as much money as
Alsace and Lorraine are worth. Each
nation has been loaded with a crush
ing burden Of taxes for the main
tenance of its army on a war foot
ing. Each nation has under arms
fully half a million men, kept in
readiness for the war of revanche."
The rapid increase of population in
Germany, with a stationary popula-
ton in France, is fast giving Germany
an advantage. French statesmen have
come to believe that it would be bet
ter To fight Germany now, than to
wait. In these days, however, 1t is
the people, not governments. that de-
eide the question Of war or peace, and
the course of the French government
will be determined 10y the attitude
of Frances people as disclosed during
the next day or two. French states
men in charge of the government
have accepted more than one humilia-
ton from Germany within the past
few years in order to avoid war.
France is at last in position to
enter upon a war with Germany
with hope Of success, for Great Brit
ain stands ready to make it a part
nership affair against the German
emperor. The entente" between
England and France amounts to
practical alliance. In a speech few
days ago. Mr.. David Lloyd-George,
chancellor Of the exchequer, made it
plain that the British government
admits the probability of a foreign
WARMTH Germany, of course. and
his declaration is so accepted in Ger
many.
1t is plain, therefore, that if France
and Germany begin a war it cannot
be confined to a contest between
those two. Indeed, the terms of the
triple alliance require Austria Hun
gary and Italy to join Germany in
war between that power and France,
and Germany can therefore count
with certainty on the Austrian army
and navy In all probability Italy
would repudiate the alliance, as fric-
ton between Austria Hungary and
Italy has steadily developed during
the past year, and the Italian gov
eminent has drawn closer to an I'M
Outstanding with Great Britain and
France There is a secret treaty of
alliance between France and Russia,
upon which the French people have
counted largely. But in late years
Emperor William has steadily devot-
ed his energies to detaching Russia
from France, and just what attitude
Russia would take in the event of a
Franco German war is very uncertain.
But Italy and Russia to one side. a
war involving France, Great Britain,
Germany and Austria Hungary, would
be the most colossal conflict the world
has seen since the overthrow of Ma
poleon at Waterloo.g
The cause of the present explosive
situation is the rivalry OF France
and Germany in Morocco France
seeks to control Morocco as England
controls Egypt The tension began
some weeks ago, in dispute between
the French and Spanish governments
over their respective claims TO terri
torial representation" in Morocco,
and, as it now develops, Spain ap-