Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-14
THE WORLDS PEACE In 1913

A survey Of the political horizon for
191S which has been oyerfull of threat
ening clouds, affords some
Presage Of hope and consolation that
49, the sky is clearing and the
drift presages peace. The
wars OF the Balkans have finally termi-
mated by the signing of the Turco-Greek
treaty of peace. There remain some dis
turbances, for example: Albania and the
Epiros: Germany is stirred over the civii
and military conflict at Zabern. in Alsace-
Lorraine; Austria Hungary's minister,
Count Berchtold. is being unduly assailed
on account of the failure of his policies
In the Balkans and elsewhere; France
lost her conservative cabinet December 2.
because NJ. Barthou refused to tax the
new loan, and government reverts to the
socialistic regime under the ministry of
Doumergue and Caillaux: Italy is menaced
by grave dissensions in her new parlia-
ment: Bulgaria is stirred by her elections
and the rumored desire of King Ferdi-
nand to abdicate; Russia is stirred over
the appointment of another German mill
tary mission to Turkey; Turkeys grand
vizier has resigned because opposed to
Turkeys military policy; England is
stirred over Germany's transequatorial
African railroad, which cuts her proposed
Cape-to-Cairo road at katanga and joins
the Indian and Atlantic oceans at Dar-es-
Salaam and Benguela; finally, China's
peace is menaced by President Yuan's de-
CAPTIVATING policy under an .administra-
tive council Chang Hsun has rebelled,
and more trouble in China may follow.
But while the nations OF Europe are en-
ploying all possible means to augment
their military forces and expanding more
| money thus to maintain peace than was
\
| there does not appear to be the most
remote intention on the part of any state
or combination of states to engage in war.
| There may be some attempts at blum,
| but the recent experience of certain mas
| tons i'm that respect has not established
that act as a permanent rule in the
game of war In surveying the field.
| therefore, We believe that 1914. despite
| the somber predictions of Nine Thebes,
| will prove a year of peace rather than
war.
| The rechstag resumed It's sessions
| the Goth ultimo. On its program there
| is discussion of the budget, the military
and naval questions and the negotia-
| tions in course with Turkey, England
| and France, including certain credits
proposed for the German East African
and CAMERON, which are OF special I'M
port to England.
| England, for fact, is being held up
| by Germany in central Africa, where
she has assumed for many
England in years the exclusive right
of way. England. it may
A11lCd. be recall Il d, contested
Egypts right in 1876 to extend her
frontiers south to the Nile sources, ana
| east to the Indian ocean to the TUBA,
Kismayu and Mombas. pleading the
sanctity of the Sultan of Zanzibars ter
ritory. Sir Harry Johnston. vice presi-
dent of the Royal Geographical Society
Of London, all unconscious that he is
disclosing a state secret. writes:
LAS a matter of cold political criticism
| / took exception to the policy of Col.
Gordon in seeking to extend Egyptian
rule over Uganda and over the sultan
| of Zanzibars dominion, when he knew
presumably that such policy was Tor
various reasons distasteful to the
British government. and likely to cause
friction in various ways"
Besides, the Cyclopaedia Britannica
contains the following contribution to
the scant history of England's agrees
"The British government in 1876
vetoed a proposal by the Khedive
Ismael to annex Mombasa and its hinter-
land up to the equatorial lakes to
Egypt-a project which originated with
Gen C. G. Gordon when that officer
administered the upper Nile provinces.
|
by the Sultan of Zanzibar to the British
| for administration.
England contested Egypt's rights, then
in turn the kongo Free State rights, and
actually drove that state out of ex-
istence. and now in turn England's So
called rights are contested by Germany.
1t may be asked just here IT England
las a matter of cold political criticism
1 had not done better not to have in
| terfered with Gen. Gordon in 1875, and
again with Gen. Gordon tacting for
King Leopold) in 1884. This latter in
reference cost the tragedy at Khar-
tum, and this sacrifice surely was not
| a set off for England's assumption of
| the protectorate of Kismayu, Mombasa
and Zanzibar in 1891.
England's check in central Africa is
all the more serious that Belgiums rail
| ways are being made to accord with
the German lines in course of construc-
ton.
The conflict between the civil and mill
tary at Zabern in Alsace-Lorraine has
assumed unexpected proportions and
seriously threatens the situation Of the
imperial chancellor. A dispatch from
Berlin on the 9th instant declared: DIR
Won Bethmann- Hollweg today defied par
lament to pass amendments to the con-
stitution proposed by the socialists max
ing the imperial chancellor responsible
to the house for the acts of the emperor
and providing for his dismissal upon the
demand of the house He said he
would not resign"
x
We may recall the facts in this case.
young officer in garrison at Zabern
reproyed soldier for
The Zabern seeking auarrels in the
ar town. "All the same
ANAL added the officer If YOU
are provoked, and you should pierce the
skin of one of these Alsatian 'wackes.' I
will give you 10 marks and A sergeant
major added: 81 will give you . more"
IT appears that the word 'wackes."
Joined to some other expression of such
a character as forbids reproduction,
caused revolt not only throughout Al
SAGE, but even in the reichstag. There
was angry Interpolation on the part of
the Alsace-Lorraine group. which is i'm
portant because sustained by members
of all parties.
One of these. George WE'LL. socialist
deputy. declared: THE crown prince
sided strongly with the soldiery. and
visited the imperial chancellor. DR.. Won
Bethmann- Hoilweg. December =. the day
on which the chancellor made the UNI
satisfactory speech in parliament which