JOTTINGS FROM EUROPE by H. P. H.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 2, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 26.

JOTTINGS FROM EUROPE.

By H. P. H.

[From our own correspondent.]

The coronation of the czar has occupied the attention of Europe to a remarkable degree; but while the leading nations have participated in these festivities abroad, they have had plenty of serious work at home.

The strong Social Democratic party in Germany keeps things lively at Berlin; and of late some of the pastors, led by Stocker, have made themselves particularly obnoxious to the government by advocating “Christian Socialist” sentiments. Concerning this movement, the emperor is reported to have said: “Political pastors are a monstrosity; whoever is a Christian is also ‘social;’ Christian Socialism is nonsense, and leads to self-exaltation and intolerance, both of which are diametrically opposed to Christianity. The reverend gentlemen should exercise concern for the salvation of their churches, and cultivate love for their neighbors, but leave politics entirely alone, because they are none of their business.”

This decision of the emperor virtually brands this “Christian Socialism” as a denial of Christianity, and may lead to serious consequences, for pastors and all participating in this movement. This movement has evidently reached a crisis, which may prove fatal; but it furnishes another illustration of the unsettled, dissatisfied condition of the people.

Italy has also seen exceedingly stormy times at home in consequence of the Abyssinian failure, and the smoke has not yet cleared away; and South African blunders have given England much extra work; while Spain’s troubles over Cuban affairs grow more complicated and difficult to settle with honor to herself.

How unsettled in their home affairs are the nations of Europe to-day! And yet they are constantly reaching out to other portions of the world, annexing more territory, assuming protectorates over other peoples, etc. The tide in this line has turned toward Africa, until very little of this large continent remains unoccupied by some nation of Europe. These nations have by agreements, deliberately divided the Dark Continent among themselves; but these divisions are not so well defined among the natives of Africa as on the maps; and the nations of Europe are quite likely to have considerable trouble among themselves before their respective rights and boundaries are settled and acknowledged.

According to latest statistics, France possesses the largest area, 9,600,000 square kilometers, with 35,000,000 inhabitants. England has but a little over 5,000,000 square kilometers, but her population is greatest,—38,000,000. Estimating by population, Belgian possessions, including the Kongo state, come next, with 10,000,000. Germany is fourth, having 8,650,000 subjects, but the area of German possessions is greater than that of Belgium. Portugal stands fifth, with 7,775,000 subjects. Egypt has 7,000,000 inhabitants and about 1,000,000 square kilometers. Italy, before its late defeats, had about the same as Egypt. Turkey has about 1,000,000 population and the same square kilometers of territory. Spain possesses the least of all in Africa,—500,000 square kilometers and 450,000 inhabitants.

Four states are considered independent,—Morocco, and the three republics of Liberia, Transvaal, and Orange Free State. This leaves but 2,500,000 square kilometers, with 12,000,000 inhabitants, not yet divided. This is less than one-twelfth of the entire population.

As stated, some of these divisions are only on paper; but the matter of defining them in the territory is being pushed with unusual vigor of late. France dreams of extending her possessions in North Africa through the Sahara, Eastern Soudan, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, etc., to the sources of the Nile, so that they may travel 6,000 kilometers south from Paris on French soil.

France will never be satisfied so long as England occupies Egypt. Add to this their encroachments in Africa, and their struggle for the supremacy in the Levant, there is room enough for difficulty. When we study the relation of the leading nations of Europe to Africa and Asia, their possessions in these two continents and the islands of the sea, and observe how often their several interests conflict, then add to this their daily increasing internal troubles, we ask, Was there ever a time when universal embroilment seemed so probable? Surely the way for a general conflict is prepared, as tho it had been studied with design.

That there will be a general gathering of nations to battle in the day of the Lord is a settled fact. Rev. 16:12-14. It is also a fact that this will be one of the last acts of earth’s history. The present political situation of the world being such as to indicate that this step is imminent, constitutes a prominent sign of the times, and should serve as an admonition to all. We may not know just when the great crisis will come; but we may always be ready, and thus not be taken unawares.

H. P. H.

Helsingfors, Finland, May 25.