Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-07-19
EUROPE PREPARING
TO DIVIDE SPOILS
Dismemberment of China, Turkey-in- :
Asia AMI Colonies Of Portugal
Declared to Be Planned.
MINISTER OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS OF FRANCE TALKS
Says General squaring of Accounts
Between Nations Is Coming at no
Distant Date.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP s1ArMs

BY WILLIAM PHILIP STATAES
Paris Correspondent of United Press.
IUNrTED PRESS LEASED wRn.I
Paris, July l9.-That Europe is pre-
pairing for the dismemberment Of Chi
ma, Turkey-in-Asia, and the Colonies of
Portugal and the ultimate division Of
the spoils, was the contention Of for.
mer'Minister of Foreign Affairs M.
Emile Leopold Flourens, in private
interview given the United Press cor
respondent here today. This diplomat,
who is credited with knowing more
of European motives and politics than
almost any other man, tells the rea-
son for the monster standing armies
which the Great Powers are now Great.
ing with a rapidity hitherto known
only Immediately preceding war. And
Germany, with her confessed need for
elbow-room, and despite recent eulo.
gies sung of the Peaceful War Lord,'
is given the blame for starting the
ball rolling. The interview took place
at the home of the stateman, and NJ.
Flourens called a spade a spade.
AT the outbreak Of the Balkan
troubles some months ago." said M.
Flourens, "I told you that a general
European war was preparing for the
near future. I still think so. They
don't want war just at this time and
for a very particular reason. That is
why every ounce of their influence is
being exerted now to prevent the Bal
kan difficulty from dragging them
into fight.
1.-TWO years ago" the correspondent
suggested, "the world was Informed
that Europe was on the verge of
general war. Americans find it hard
to understand what it, all about and
what is holding the powers back.
"The general squaring of accounts
between the nations of Europe is com.
ing" the diplomat repliel. "You may
be sure of that. Something has hap.
pened to postpone the action, that is
all. The reason is this; There is
shortly to be considerable territory d.
vided, and when this begins each of
the Great Powers wishes to be at its
strongest. A war now would weaken
the nations engaged, and those which
Kept the peace would find themselves
with a tremendous advantage over their
rivals.
"In the first place, Turkey,in.A Asia
is doomed. This empire is shortly to
disappear just as Turkey.in. Europe has
disappeared, and the powers are pre-.
pairing to divide her among them
selves. Secondly, Portugal is in a de:
plorablo condition, and It is certain
that before long the colonies Of that
republic are to be portioned out among
the nations of Europe England will
get the lions share, Lastly there is
China. The republic does not seem to
have solved the Oriental riddle and
Europe is laying its plans to have a
good hold on the situation when the
breakup arrives.
'Does it not occur to you as pecu-
liar that although not a single one Of
the great powers of Europe has recog.
nized the Chinese republic, they have
made to that republic largo loansf
Why' The answer is extremely sim
pie; II China breaks up they dom u
want any stumbling blocks in their
way, such as a recognition Of the pres.
ent government might create; they
want to be sure Of collecting their
money and China herself is security
for the loans Diplomatic history to
my knowledge has never recorded a
similar situation. The United States is
the only power not directly interested
in China. The United States with.
drew from participation in the loan.
and alone Of all the world powers, the
United States has recognized China as
republic.
"Where is this race for armament
to endP Flourens was asked,
"Iust where It is, in my opinion"
he said "The taxpayers are tired Of
the game and they won T. let things 20
much further. Europe has about gone
her limit The powers have demanded
bigger armies and more money and the
people have met the demands, Of late,
it must be said, with great reluctance.
This is proof that the limit has been
reached, The next move belongs to
Europe. She must Justify her demands;
prove her war taxes Justified, that the
sacrifices Of her citizensoldiers were
not in vain"