Year: 1871

the availability Of her resources that We do not
believe her government will commit the folly Of
engaging In war unless attacked. The object
OF q concentration Of troops would be twofold |,
In the first place for strategic reasons, In
order to be ready to meet attack with the
whole force Of the empire; and, secondly, to
restrain Austria and Prussia from hostile ac-
ton by showing the forward state of the Nus
covite preparations. The advantages Of the
defensive policy are so evident that we feel
certain the Russian government will not make
the mistake OF entering on war policy for
some years to come. 9


But the interests Of Germany and Austria
demand Immediate action, because every
years delay not alone allows the organization
Of the immense resources Of Russia. but
raises her up an ally in France. We
may, therefore, assume that the reported
movements Of troops are due to some new
plot of the willy Bismarck No doubt the
Russian Court is well informed Of every act
and project Of the German Chancellor, and is
ever ON the watch to oounteract his designs.
To humble the power OF Russia is SO necessary
to the greatness of Germany that there can be
no reasonable doubt that Bismarck will not
fail to take advantage Of the present favorable
condition of Europe to try issues with his
gigantic neighbor. He cannot be blind to the
fact that. as long as Russia main tains her
present power and influence In Europe, the
work OF German unity will be in danger. As
matter OF self-preservation Germany finds
herself compelled to undertake new and doubt
full conflicts, and each day that the struggle
is put off diminishes her chances Of
success. The recuperation Of France and
the development of the resources Of
Russia are evidently merely questions Of
time, and since it is acknowledged on all sides
that struggle for supr smacy must take place
between Russia and Germany it is plainly the
interest Of the latter to fight as soon as pos
sible, so that Russia may be forced to contend
single-handed. When Bismarck obtained from
the German Parliament the continuance for
three years Of the war budget he was actuated
by hostile intentions towards Russia. No other
Power could pretend to be danger to United
Germany, and when the German Chancellor
insisted on the necessity Of continued prepara-
tion to protect the Fatherand from menace his
words were in effect a threat against Russia.
And the Prussian Parliament voted the money
to enable Bismarck to humble their colossal
neighbor. In view Of this declaration of hos
tility Russia has thought well to prepare for
events. This latest piece Of news strengthens
the belief that Bismarck is not prepared to
give Russia the advantages that cannot fail to
result from delay.


We are assured by cable telegram from
Vienna that the Russian government has for
warded its con ,ratulations to Count Andrassy
on his elevation to the Premiership Of Austria,
assuring him, at the same time, shat His
Majesty the Czal has full confidence in the
wisdom and justice Of the policy which will
be pursued under his administration of the
foreign relations of Austria" This action is
remarkably significant pointing as it does to
Russian endeavor to estrange Austria as
German power.