JOTTINGS FROM EUROPE by H. P. H.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 7, 1895

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 44.

JOTTINGS FROM EUROPE.

By H. P. H.

Germany and France.

THE past summer has been one of more than usual stir in Europe. A large number of tourists have appeared, especially from America; the transatlantic steamers have been much crowded. In its harvest and business, the year has been a good one.

In addition to the usual national and international questions which so much perplex statesmen and legislators, and which will not stay settled, there have been extraordinary celebrations. First in order and importance came the opening of the Kiel Canal, calling together representatives and gunboats from the leading nations of the world.

A leading point of interest at this celebration was that point in the German emperor’s speech which alluded to the great array of gunboats as a guaranty of the peace of the world. Cicero wondered how one augur could look another augur in the face without laughing; so we wonder how the emperor can make such statements in apparent candor before such a vast array of war elements, and while he and his associates are straining every nerve in war preparations.

A point of special observation during this celebration was the attitude of the French representative. While the German emperor made him the object of special attention, he in turn was quite reserved. The fact that the French representative participated in the celebration at all is severely criticised in France; and it now appears that her participation was partly due to a blunder of the French minister at Berlin, who was too ready to comply with Germany’s invitation; later, a similar mistake was made with reference to the Sedan celebration, in consequence of which there is a loud demand for the recall of the minister.

All the apparent good accomplished by the grand union of nations at the Kiel celebration, and the special effort to establish more friendly relations with France, was more than undone by the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the battle of Sedan. The battle of Sedan being the decisive one of the Franco-Prussian war, its celebration was the celebration of the victory of the Germans over the French in that war. Germany made a great ado on this anniversary; the tide of her joy ran high, and her festivities are without a parallel in recent years.

But Germany’s demonstration was unwise, if not hazardous. The degree of her unbounded rejoicing measured the depth to which she reopened the wound of sensitive France. The desire to foster peace with her neighbors would have led Germany to pass the event unnoticed. To the outside observer, her celebration looked like willfully irritating a wounded foe who is steadily gathering strength for revenge.

The Lord said of a certain king, “And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands; but he shall not be strengthened by it.” Dan. 11:12. As with this king in the prophecy, so Germany’s exultation over her victory will not strengthen her; but it will stir up her powerful enemy, and deepen her desire for revenge. Germany should not ignore the fact that France is to-day in a condition far in advance of that of 1870. Taught by the severe lesson of Germany, she has been reorganizing her forces; her army is now in a much better condition and several fold more numerous. France is altogether another power to-day; and she knows it. In addition to this is her alliance with Russia, which greatly adds to her increased self-confidence. Place with this the fact that armed peace under present conditions is harder to maintain than war, and the question arises, How is peace so long kept up?

While this question puzzles the politician, it is plain to the student of God’s prophetic word. The Lord has a work to be done in the earth before the end; and until that work is accomplished, his restraining hand is upon the governments of earth. When that restraint is removed, the great war forces so long held back will suddenly break forth, and throw the world into a condition never before witnessed.

The leading topics in continental journals are the great fall maneuvers and sham battles. These actions are as near actual war as it is possible to make them. As sort of reply to Germany’s Sedan celebration, France indulged in extensive maneuvers with a large army in the Vosges, near Alsace. On the other hand, Germany institutes extensive maneuvers in Alsace. Every summer this play war seems to take on greater proportions, even little Switzerland dilating with the rest.

Everything indicates that the time is near when the final struggle will begin. But while this dread event is so full of woe and disaster to the worldling, it will be the dawn of everlasting bliss to the child of God: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time; and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” Dan. 12:1. H. P. H.

Constantinople, September 27.