Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1906 — WAR SEEMS NEAR. [ARTICLE]

WAR SEEMS NEAR.

BelleU|| tli Washington that German? and France Will Fiffht. Germany’s attitude in the Morocco question and the demands •sentativeS will make at the comiiw!tiitornational conference at AlgeWraa v ill; It tsf feared in Washington diplomatic circles here, lead to a war between the empire and France, unless mediation Induces the Kaiser to niodefate his views. France is determined, it is said, not to allow Germany to interfere with her plans in Morocco and will resent by force of arms, If necessary, any such interference. That Germany’s attitude on the question has been anticipated by France is believed in diplomatic and army circles. The recent activity In nation as “mere maneuvers incident to a change In the head of the war department,” it is thought proves this belief. The French army is now in a high state of excellence, and there Is a considerable element In the republic that Is willing to undertake a test of strength with the Kaiser if driven to it by Germany’s avowed Intention of encroaching upon the rights of France In Morocco. j Apparently German opinion Is not a little disturbed by the way events are shaping. There are two sides to the question in that country, the one which Is expressed in the tranquiiizing statements of the Kaiser’s New Year’s speech to his generals, and the other by Prince von Buelow’s allusions to ‘‘perils and unfathomable abysses.”

It is pointed out here that the Kaiser counts himself more of a soldier than of a diplomatist. In his diplomatic contests he has always met disappointment He has not yet tried his military prowess. His army is larger by a million men than when he came to the throne, and he has been able to keep it at the Von Moitke level of efficiency. He regards his navy as the equal of any in the world save England’s. In addition, he Is pushing to rapid completion naval construction that will cost more than $600,000,000. _ A suggestive development in the question lias been tlie recent order for $50,000,000 worth of cars, capable of transporting troops, and bis proviso that the cars must be rushed to completion. This and the massing of troops along the French frontier is taken as significant that, despite his words of peace and infinite palaver, he Is ready for the worst if he cannot secure the settlement of the Moroccan question as he desires It.