Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-24
EUROPEAN NATIONS SEEN
GETTING READY FOR WAR
Prophecy for 1885 Based on French
Weakness Due to Birthrate Lower Than
Italy's and Greater War Losses.

On the whole, It Is an exagReration
to say that any considerable number OF
Frenchmen are today fearful of an
early German offensive. Italy and not
Germany seems the dangerous neigh
Dor, but there remains the frightful
question as to what action Germany
might take II France and italy were at
war. Even If 1t did not take the form
OF new march into France, German
activity might easily be directed toward
the reconstruction Of the eastern from
tier at the expense of Poland.
France Is. then, beyond all debate,
making vast efforts to prepare her
frontiers against any possible menace
which may arrive in 1885. And 1t Is
perfectly true that these preparations
are matched along the other side of the
Alps At the same time Jugoslavia,
and indeed all the succession States,
including Poland, are apprehensiye and
accordingly active In organizing their
means of defense.
Brands proposal for discussion Of
the project of q United States Of
Europe patiently falls In with this uni
yersal anxiety. It is fair to assume
that If all continental countries are
considering combination or at least
close cooperation, the chances of war
viii be materially 1essened. But, on
the other hand, the fact that both the
italian and German answers to the
French proposal have clearly limited at
treaty revision and frontier amendment
has had disagreeable repercussions in
Paris.
Few Really Disturbing Signs.
It is fact. as the British professor
indicated at Williamstown, that Europe
is not merely nervous about 1885, but
that many European countries are tax
ing steps to insure themselves against
possible trouble. Italy apart, however,
It is hard to find at the moment any
really disturbing signs in the actions
Of any country. II Germany, Hungary,
Bulgaria and Lithuania Enthusiastically
mean to obtain revision Of their
frontiers, none is doing anything at the
moment which even remotely hints at
military activity.
We shall, unquestionably, hear much
in the next years Of the possibility Of
war In 1895. Moreover, since many
peoples are resolved to change their
present status and those nations which
are opposed to change VIII be weakest
at this time, 1t Is not diffcult to build
up q theoretical case in favor of q new
conflict. Nor is it hard to sustain such
q case by pointing to the obvious prep
arations for conflict going on along
many frontiers.
Finally, it Is true that, historically,
one may find precedent for interest IN
1885. Fifteen years after waterloo hao
abolished the Napoleonic Empire and
enabled the allies of that time to re-
store the Bourbons the July revolution
In Paris sent the last Bourbon packing
and precipitated upheavals all over
Europe which, without leading 70 any
real war, did begin the process OF re-
vision OF the frontiers OF the Congress
OF Vienna.
Two RuIed by Dictators
Aside from France, however, al
European countries are at the moment
plunged into very grave economic
crises. Domestic difiiculties, both po-
litical and financial, dominate popular
interest. Italy and Soviet Russia are,
Il Is true. ruled by dictators and make
no disguise Of their hostility TO existing
Conditions. Yet at bottom neither italy
nor Russia Is In a position to make war
and neither dictatorship, at heart;
actually desires it, despite supernciai
declarations.
Am In all, fixing the next war In Eu-
rone for 1885 seems, despite the appeal
Ing arguments advanced, rather more
the product OF fear than OF actual
sound reasoning. Europe Is now. a. II
was In 1914, at the mercy OF an acci-
dent. The material out Of which wars
are made Is plainly available on every
hand, but with precious few exceptions
ali peoples still remain Sled up" In the
matter Of conflict and every government
including the relationships, has sound
reason for fearing the ultimate conse-
quences Of leading its supporters into
the trenches.
war may come in 1895. Just as the
end of the world may arrive, but today
both forecasts seem equally lacking IN
real foundation. And II nations are
making preparations against that date
1t is not with the purpose to precipitate
hostilities but to prevent them or, at the
least, to be fortified again them.
s. SaaaN