The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29 1883. France

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 76, 29 November 1883, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29 1883. France

— - ♦ The most experienced diplomatists in Europe Bre of opinion tbat there is no immediate probability of a European war on a large scale. But a great deal depends on the life of Bismarck. This statesman is able t« keep thj French over-awed unless that nation is seized with one of those periodical fits oi madness for which ber history is so famous, or infamous. When Bismarck is removed from tbe scene, and his controlling influence is no longer felt, that both Germany and France will be at each other's throats is an unhappy certainty. It is inevitable ; no human power outside of the two nations can prevent it. That France is at present eager for war is manifested by the popularity of the " little wars " she is at present engaged in. The China imbroglio, the needless attack on the liberties of Madagascar and its people, the Egyptian complications, are all the outcome of the restless, warlike energy of this singular people, and however criminally unjust her statesmanship may be, the people are satisfied as to its necessity when their moral vision is obscured by the smoke of the cannon. These minor affairs, which are evidently intended to act as a safety valve lor the warlike ambition of the soldiery, and to keep public attention diverted as much as possible from Home politics, will not be sufficient for all times. In no period of the history of the nation has her citizens been satisfied ; by trans-marine warfare. The French soldier has a constitutional drtad of : the sea and its concomitants. He lannot experience that feeling of intense s**lf~satisf action which is so necessary for his displaying his true ■qualities as a warrior. W hen suffering j from the horrors of "maldu mer " his feelings of heroism are utterly crushed out ot him. He must inarch to battle. As a naval power, France may be strong in the tonnage of her ships, 1 nnd the weight and calibre of their guns. . Her fleet may be manned with ! a numerical strength far greater than j that ot Britain, but she can never send j a squadron to sea in which the offi- j ■cers and men would be equal, in any degree, to the natural horn seamen that man the British fleet. And tbe French know this and admit the truth of it. It is evident tbat from inrernal causes France must be driven to a war with a European power, even supposing she was without a " chsus belli " with Germany, tor the sake of peace within her own borders. To {►re vent revolution and its concomitant horrors of Communism and anarchy, a great, war is a necessity. The question naturally arises as to whether other nations are to tamely permit a condition of things to exist which compel. 4 them to keep their defence establishments on a war tooting. It appears ridiculous that tens of thousands of hard-working people should be compelled to toil early and late to provide arms and rood to keep off a foe that is preparing to attack for no other, reason than . that _onie power must be dragged into a war to act as a ; fehrifiige for a hot-blooded people At first glance it would seem us if an alliance for mutual defence among all nations .'would . Ve^l' Franee in order, but such, in the past. proved a failure TJuJer Napoleou the Urea, she lought

Europe and kept the world in awe by her wonderful pluck and energy. The end came at last, but the nation*which lowered her pride did so at an expense of hh-od and treasure, the real value of which was incalculable. And the wondnrlul recuperative powers of the country enabled her to refill ber treasury, ami recruit ber arinie? long- before the other nations were able to do so. The same occurred in the Franco-Prussian war, and as far as money is concerned France is far rcher now than Germany, anil better prepared for war. She has no leaders of distinction, but these always appear when needed, and we doubt if Germanv is in any better position. A very simple mode ot keeping France quiet, admitting that -she can neither be coaxed or bullied, is to flatter her ; she will swallow any quantity of that. Let her be persuaded thac the peace of Kurope ii in her hands, and there is a bare possibility that war iu Europe ! may be put off for an indefinite [ period.