IMPERIAL DEFENCE PANIC.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1852, 28 May 1888, Page 3

IMPERIAL DEFENCE PANIC.

The "Auckland Herald" says :— -The excitement at home m regard to the state of the national defences baa been worked np to something approaching panlo pitch. This ebullition of feeling is thoroughly oharflcterlatio of tho British nation. It has periodical fita of morality and patriotism; While they last refortna are inaugurated with haste and z?al; But after a time apathy supervenes, and the nation goes to eltjep. 'I he state of the array and navy la not worse tban Ik has beon for years. Indeed it la maoh better. Yet the whole oountry is palpitating with alarm. This, of course, la extremely foolish. Aa Lfeatenant-Cjfoneeal Sir Andrew Olarke show, and no one la more entitled to apeak with anthority, our defencea are now m a more efficient atate than they ever were. Things may not be altogether satisfactory ac regards tho army and navy, ue Lord Wolseley pointed oat m the House of Lords, but they are not Buch as to justify the feverish alarm *hfcb appears to exlßt, Sir Oharlea Dilke whose able articles on the European situation m the "Fjrtiilh>tly Bevlew '• attracted bo mash attention, pointa out that the only real danger to be feared la from a Russo-French attack, and he msntions that both theae Powero are buildiDg an enormona number of fast crniacra which if employed agp.iaat na in* wac time would eerloualy cripple our trade. It will be seen from this that tho danger of thG European situation is one which is not unlikely to affect England, and m view of that fact, the present dfooqsßlon on the Imperial defences' is likely to be productive of good, In forcing the Government and Parliament to take auch action aa shall render the Empire more secure against attack. Our latest Intelligence from the Continent dhows that the foding m Germany and Auotria against Russia is increasing, and that the former Power has despatched a body of „ troops to the frontier,