The rumours of some catastrophe approaching in Central Europe have
been increasing all the week, their chief basis being a statement current in Berlin and Perth, and repeated with every kind of detail, that the Russians are concentrating an immense army in Russian Poland. We have discussed the subject sufficiently elsewhere, but may note here that the Euro- pean Bourses do not respond to the rumours, that the Great Powers are not borrowing, that France shows no sign of excitement, and that according to the Aigemeine Zeitung, the German Government has its arrangements for mobilisation so perfect that it can enter Poland in force in nine days, and thenceforward pour in a continuous supply of troops and material by five or six railways. The collection of masses of troops is always dangerous, like the collection of gunpowder- barrels, but the Government of Russia may wish to make its strength visible, without desiring war.
