THAT EUROPEAN WAR by Edward King

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · April 1, 1880

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 14

THAT EUROPEAN WAR.

By Edward King

A WAIL of trouble comes up from every section of Continental Europe at this moment. Disguise the ugly fact as one may endeavor to do, there is no denying that the nations foresee war not far off, and that it troubles their spirits to make preparation for it. What a name Bismarck would make for himself in history if he could only force a general disarmament! But alas! he cannot! Peace! peace! is the cry; but there is no peace. A significant fact is the perturbation of the little countries which lie near the large ones likely to be affected by the approaching struggle. Switzerland is fortifying certain mountain passes which her brave army may have to hold for the protection of her neutrality, and Holland and Belgium are coquettishly indulging in projects of union. We had a rumor not long ago that Austria was seriously considering a proposed plan of fortifying Vienna. But this has been denied. The Austrians make no secret, however, of the fact that they are fortifying extensively on the frontiers which would be liable to invasion in case of a general war. Poor Austrians! They have no sooner got their alliance than they find themselves pushed forward into a field which is already very smoky, and where there is every probability that they will be compelled to give battle.

Of one thing there seems a dolorous certainty, and that is that the war, when it comes, will be long. Every nation has made up its mind to that. Europe will engage in one grand prolonged struggle before the sword is thrown aside. Some countries and one or two nations will undoubtedly disappear from geography before this great cataclysm is over. Which will they be? Will Germany sink under the weight of her armor? Will Russia surprise Europe with wonderful military talent and success, as Prussia did in 1866 and in 1870-71? Will England be forced into the field? These are questions which are asked in drawing-rooms, in newspapers, and on the street every day. The French have been trying to turn their attention to colonization of late; but as soon as they get engrossed in that profitable subject, a war rumor calls them back to cares and worries, which totally unfit them for pioneering. Perhaps the successive ministries here would have been more fortunate in securing reform and progress toward enlightened free government if they had not been perpetually harassed with the need of forming, equipping, and keeping well in hand a tremendous army.

I do not fancy that any war will be likely to break out just at present; but when it comes it will come like thunder in a clear sky, and will be declared on some trivial, insane pretext. It may come in summer, and it may be set aside until next spring or summer. But unless some grand reform is operated—unless disarmament or arbitration can be forced upon Europe's attention—everything henceforward tends toward a general war, in which almost all the Great Powers will take sides. Meantime, I suppose that we shall continue to sell wheat, leather, clocks, guns and pistols, meat and butter to the fighters. —Edward King, Paris, Feb. 11.