Alexandria Gazette

Europe's

WAR CLOUDS—The holiday
season has somewhat dulled the edge of the
European crisis, even the newspapers
succumbing to the mollifying influence of
Christmas
festivities. Nevertheless the
Cologne Gazette, which is usually more
reserved than most of the great continental
journals in its expressions of political
opinion, sees nothing in the situation to justify
confidence in much further prolonging a
state of peace.

"The Czar," it says, "is surrounded
by intrigues which will never rest
until war is waged to the end of substituting
Russian for German influence throughout
Europe."

Continuing its article, the paper
issues a defiant invitation to the Moscovite
empire to come on and learn that not even
the war it seeks can overthrow the power
of Germany nor increase the influence of
Russia. The
Mauser
rifle factory
at
Oberndorf, Wurtemburg, is filling a contract
to make 700,000 rifles for Turkey.
This contract, together with other unfinished
orders, has necessitated the working of
the factory night and day, the inference being
that early shipments of the finished
weapons are imperatively demanded. It is
semi-officially stated that Russia has tried
to arrive at an understanding with Austria
on the Bulgarian questions, but was referred
to the Berlin treaty as the only basis of settlement.
The present comparative calm is
attributed to the moderation and love of
peace to those cabinets who are treacherously
preparing for war. Workmen belonging to
the Austrian reserves have been ordered to
join their regiments forthwith.