The German Chancellor avoids talking, perhaps thinking the Emperor does
all that is required in that way ; but at Osnabruck on Sunday he spoke at a breakfast given by the Magistracy. "The anxiety," he said, "as to whether the present situation could be maintained was groundless." "No Government intended to disturb the peace." The recent rap- prochements of States gave no ground for anxiety ; they were only an outward expression of existing relations, and perhaps would only re-establish the ancient balance of power in Europe. In the evening, speaking to officers only, General von Caprivi was even more optimistic, declaring, in a phrase which in England is considered ominous, that "there is not a cloud in the political horizon." It should be observed that during the period in which the idea of the "balance of power" dominated diplomacy, wars were pretty nearly incessant. Equals can fight just as well as big men with little. Perhaps, however, General von Caprivi meant to say that, with Europe organised in such great alliances, war would be too dreadful for any one to risk it, a.notion which seems just now to control all Sovereigns. 'That is fortunate, if it only lasts ; but the dread of respon- sibility wears off.
