South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-07-22
EXPECTS TO
SEE GENERAL WAR
All Plans Being Made With Ref
erenCe to Big Clash, Which
Many Think is Inevitable.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP sIsIMs.

PARIS. July 22.-That Europe is
preparing for the dismemberment OF
China, Turkey-in- asia. and the Colo
nies Of Portugal, and the ultimate
division OF the spOils. was the con-
tention OF former minister OF for
eign affairs, VI. Emile Leopold Flou-
rens. in a private interview given the
United Press correspondent here to-
day.
This diplomat. who is credited with
knowing more Of European motives
and politics that almost any other
man. tells the reason for the monster
standing armies which the great
powers are now creating with a rapid
ity hitherto known only Immediately
preceding war. And Germany. with
her confessed need for elbow-rOom.
and despite recent eulogies sung Of
the Peaceful War Lord" is given the
blame for starting the ball rolling.
The interview took place at the homie
OF the statesman. and NJ. Flourens
called a spade spade.
AT the outbreak OF the Balkan
troubles some months ago." said NJ.
FlOurens, Il told you that a general
European war was preparing for the
near future. / still think so. For
the moment. however, the ambitions
OF the great powers are holding them
in check. 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 10
prevent the Balkan difficulty from
\iragging them into a fight"
Two years ago." the correspondent
suggested, the world was informed
that Europe was on the verge of a
-
10 understand what it's all about and
what is holding the powers back"
Time Is Coming.
The general squaring OF accounts
between tha nations of Europe is
coming" the diplomat replied. You
may be sure of that. Something has
happened 10 postpone the action, that
is all The reason is this: There is
shortly to be considerable territory
divided. and when this begins each OF
the great powers wishes 10 be at it's
strongest. A war now would weake n
the nations engaged, and those which
kept the peace would find themselves
with a tremendous advantage over
their rivals.
I'm the first place. Turkey-in- Asia
Is doomed. This empire is shortly to
disappear just as Turkey-in- Europe
has disappeared. and the powers are
preparing to divide her among them
selves. Secondly, Portugal is in a
deplorable condition. and il is certain
that before long the colonies OF that
republic are TO be appOrtioned out
among the nations Of Europe. Eng
land 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
10 have a good hold on the situation
when the breakup arrives
Does ii not occur TO you as pc
culiar that although not a single one
OF the great powers of Europe has
recognized the Chinese republic. they
have made that republic large loans
Why? The answer is extremely
simple. If China breaks up they don't
want any stun bling blocks in their
way. such as a recognition of the
present 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 world power not directly
interested in China. The United
States withdrew from participation in
the loan, and alone of all the world
powers the United States has recog-
niZed China as a republic"
Where is this race for armament
90 end ?" Flourens was asked
Just where IL is, in my opinion, -
Ahe said. The tax payers are tired of
the game and they won't let things
go 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. il must be said
with great reluctance. This is proof
that the limit has been reached The
next move belongs 10 Europe. She
must justify her demands; prove her
war taxes justified, that the sacrifices
OF her Citizen-soldiers were not in
vain"