TOWN EDITION. Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 8, 1888. THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 31, 8 February 1888, Page 2

TOWN EDITION. Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 8, 1888. THE EUROPEAN SITUATION.

. The suspension in these stirring times of telegraphic communication with Europe for a couple of days has had the effect of sharpening the appetite of the public for news, a?d those who looked forward with eagerness for something of special interest on the restoration of communication have certainly no right to feel disappointed. A profound sensation has been created by the offiq^l publication of the full text of the alliance entered into between Germany, Austria, and Italy, and this seems to be heightened by the uncertainty that prevails as to what is to follow. It is curious to observe the difference of opinions on this point. The Berlin papers state that " the publication of the treaty will have the effect of subduing any belligerent spirit that might otherwise have manifested itself in St. Petersburg or Paris. 5 ' But from St, Petersburg there conies the intimation that "notwithstanding the protests made jointly by Germany and Austria that continued war preparations by Russia could only be regarded as threats by other European Powers, these preparations are continuing and increasing in eignificance." A Paris telegram, too, states that "the French Press hold that the Czar of Russia cannot turn back from the policy he has been pursuing." This is the view, too, taken by the London "Times," which is of opinion that " the publication of the text of the Alliance at the present juncture must bring matters to a crisis," and that "in the face of the menace contained in the treaty Russia cannot with honor reverse her present provocation policy, and hence the increased activity in that country in warlike preparations." Another telegram from the Paris correspondent of " The Times " alleges that an opinion prevails that the probabilities of a RussoFrench alliance are remote." If that bo correct, Bussia, if still determined to pursue her " provocation policy " will have to ba prepared for the gigantic task of faciug the three Powers that are parties to the Alliance singlehanded, and surely she will hesitate before entering upon such an undertaking as this. But she is evidently in a fightable mood, and desirous of having a set to with somebody, and if she does not, as surely Bhe cannot, like the aspect of affairs in Europe, it is possible she may once more (urn her eyes eastward, and resume her advance upon Herat. In this case it would probably be a duel between the Russian Bear and the British Lion, unless indeed, Franoe eleoted to reverse the position as it existed in the days of the Crimea war, and to ally herself with Russia against England, in which case it would be a bad look out for the latter. It really teems a nivter for regret that E- gland had not allied herself with the ■ hran Poweis which have determined lo unit in opposing any aggression on thep^rt of Russia wis'wsrd, for suoh a combination would liavfl had the effect of renderiog a European war almost an impossibility. A very able series of articles on the balance of military powtr in Europe have recently been appearing in Blackwood, the concluding one having been published in the December numler of taut magazine. In tba% the writer, General Hawley, very clearly points out the immense accession of strength that would thus accrue to the Alliance, for although England's nrmy is not a large one, her navy would eet free for offeneiva purrores enormous masses of men both in Isaly and Germany, who would otherwise be required to act purely upon tbo defensive. With a great N.».val Powsr reitd^iiag secure her ceas'.s, which would otherwise iuvite attaok olonp tho whole length of her sea-board, Italy, in aiiditinn to providing for the defence of tho Alpa would be able to put no less than 800,000 uici into the field ci her against Russia i j support Qf Auß'.ria, or against France in Bupport of Germany. And again wi:h 'he English cooperating wiih tho German fleet to pretact Memel, Konigsburg-, or Dai zig, a v*ry l.irgo proportion of the German army would be Eet fres for tbo invasion of Poland if necessary, or as the writer puts it in another form: — "A telegraphic order to our Mediterranean fle&t to j.iiu the Italian navy would then and there Bet .free at least 300,000 soldiers in Italy, and thus operate with enormous force in favor of the alliance: and another telegraphic assurance to Germany tha*. anotb.tr English fleet would cooperate wifi hers in tho North would add 200,000 men to the mili aat forces available for the central alliance," making in all half a million of men who would otherwise have to be employed, in defending places that might perhaps never be attacked. Such an Alliance as this would be impregnable, and render war almost an impossibility, and it is for this reason, and not from any desire to see England embroiled in a war which she might have kept out of, that the idea of her joining hand in hand with Germany, Austria, and Italy finds favor with the writer of the article before üb, whioh concludes in the following words : — " We do not believe in the policy of taking more upon our shoulders than we need i.ike. Nevertheless, this much is certain, that if wa $9 n °t help ourselves no other Power will help up, If we oannot and will not give help, we canno£ geji help. It ie a question merely of saouring for a moderate price the incalculable blessings of peace, or of being involved in certainly tha most costly, and probably the most fatal, war in whioh we have QFpr bean eDgaged."