The Indianapolis Journal

WOULD LIKE TO CRUSH FRANCE

The Kaiser to Broach an Important Question in His Confab with the Czar.

Germany Willing to Let Russia Do as She Will in the Balkans in Return for Certain Assurances--The Emperor at Rovai Impending Insurrection in Armenia Brings a Crisis in Eastern Affairs

Proposal to Inter Cardinal Newman in Westminster Abbey--Our New Customs Law Aimed at Dishonest Exporters and Dealers.

SCHEMING AGAINST FRANCE.

One of the Political Questions That Will Be Discussed by the Emperor and Czar

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

London, Aug. 17.--Within a few hours the German Kaiser will be simulating the role of the friendly critic as his imperial brother, the Czar, deploys before him the vast hosts of the Russian army. Before the last Cossack shall have finished the depression in salute of his lance's point in the march past, at least four men will know what the near future has in store for Europe, Chancellor von Caprivi and his master will have it either brusquely and directly, or evasively and diplomatically from M. De Giers and his master whether it is the will of the Russian autocrat that his country should remain impassive while the armies of the triple alliance pass over the Alps and cross the Rhine to attempt the overthrow of the republic and the elimination of France as a potentiality in European political affairs. Not even the most sanguine of British Russophobists really believes that an offer from Germany to permit Russia to do in Armenia what she can do just as readily without such permission, will induce the astute De Giers to consent to the crushing of France, the consequent elevation of Germany to the pinnacle of undisputed power in Europe and the virtual reduction of the nations of western Europe to the condition of German auxiliaries.

That the meeting is an event of the most momentous importance is nowhere, not even in Berlin, better understood than in London. Englishmen of habits of reflection and observation well know that the rifle discharged on the Danube or the Rhine may carry a bullet straight to the heart of their empire. This thought comes to them with redoubled force now that it is on all sides accepted as a fact that the outcome of the recent visit to our shores of the Emperor has been the binding of England to the fortunes of the triple alliance, whether those fortunes be for good or evil. Should the allies fall apart, or should they encounter disaster in the almost inevitable appeal to the arbitrament of arms, Englishmen of the class mentioned feel that just as surely as the French would be permitted to work out their beloved plans of revenge on Germany just as certainly would Russia be allowed to march to the Mediterranean in one direction and to the Indian frontier of Afghanistan in another. These same men see no compensating advantages for these great risks in the elevation of a German Emperor to a European dictatorship.

Friendly Welcome to the Kaiser.

St. Petersburg, Aug. 17.--The newspapers here extend a friendly welcome to Emperor William. They admit the sincerity of his pacific declarations, and declare that Russia is disposed to co-operate with him. At the same time they hold that Emperor William ought to operate in Vienna rather than in St. Petersburg, seeing that Russia will only accept a solution of the Bulgarian question in conformity with the Berlin treaty, which has been violated with Austrian complicity. The Journal de St. Petersburg says the meeting of the Russian and German Emperors is certain to strengthen the friendship between them. The Grashdanin attributes great importance to the meeting, and hails the German Emperor's visit as an augury of peace.

The Czar and Czarina have arrived at Narva. After accepting from the authorities the customary offering of bread and salt, they drove to the Polowitzfi Villa, the route being lined with enthusiastic crowds. Emperor William arrived at Reval at noon to-day. The Russian squadron fired a salute in honor of the German vessels. Grand Duke Vladimir received the Emperor on landing. The town was richly decorated with flags, and great enthusiasm was manifested by immense crowds in the streets. The Emperor received a deputation of German residents, and afterward inspected the Viborg Regiment, the officers of which presented him with bread and salt, on platters carved for the occasion by soldiers. The Emperor addressed the regiment briefly in Russian, and the troops responded with cheers. The Emperor, with Prince Henry, Chancellor Von Caprivi and suites, started for Narva at 5 P. M.