The Feilding Star. SATURDAY AUGUST 80, 1884. France and China

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 33, 30 August 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY AUGUST 80, 1884. France and China

France is now playing the role of a cowardly bully, unchecked and without any wholesome dread that the other > Great Powers must ultimately intervene . to punish her for her brutality. Our readers may remember that it was reported a short time ago the French bad received a severe defeat at the hands of the Hovas in Madagascar, whose undisciplined mode of warfare has been regulated and directed by European and American officers. It has been the custom of France during its whole history, either as a Kingdom, a Republic, or an Empire, to attempt to gloss over the humiliation ot a defeat by some brilliant victory, or what may be twisted into such, in order to deceive the people. The more theatrical, the better suited for the purpose. The difficulty with China, which has been entirely of France's own seeking, afforded a splendid odportunity. to hide the thrashing received from the Malagasy mea by the smoke of the bombardment of Foochow, which is reported to have been neither more nor less than a massacre. It ia a pleasure to observe that this crime has received the universal condemnation of the English Press, and that the French feel keenly the expressions of contempt which hare been poured out upon them. As the bombardment of what is one of the treaty ports largely affects tbe commercial interests of England, America, and. Russia in China, we may expect that these nations will interfere, to prevent further outrages being inflicted on an unoffending people. It is a matter of pounds, shillings, and pence, and not of mere sentiment. The part England may take will not, under the present administration, he a vigorous one. The helpless muddle Mr Gladstone has made of the Egyptian business does not presage any policy that would tend to teach France, or any other European power, that England is still a warlike nation and not a mere aggregate of effeminates, as our " peace at any price " policy would lead them to believe. America has no fleet to go to war with a maritime power, -md would therefore stand aloof, but with Russia the case is different. Her navy consists of about 380 steam vessels, of which 29 are ironclads, with an armament of 836 guns. In 1881 the French navy consisted of 356 vessels, of which 59 were ironclads, since which time 12 more ironclads have been constructed. In point of numbers, therefore, Russia ought to be able to thrash France on the sea | single handed. In 1883 England had 204 ships in commission, of which 29 were ironclads, to which may be added 8 ironclads and 9 composite vessels now building. If then two out pf the three countries — that is, Russia and England — show that they are determined to protect their commerce with their guns, France may find it advisable to adopt a different tone, and instead of China having to pay that nation a war indemnity, the tables may be turned and France be compelled to disburse, as in the case when Germany thrashed her into quietness, but a few years ago. We, who are on the south of , the equator, are deeply concerned iv the aggrandisements of France. Should she be allowed to continue, unpunished, her present career, the safety of even these islands might be jeopardised. It must not be forgotten that she has just a* much right to claim a title to a part of New Zealand as she had to Madagascar or Formosa, and. if she bad the slightest occasion, the flag of France would once more wave in Akaroa. It is imperative the other nations should step in and use such coercive measures as will ' keep the turbulent Franks in order. On bhe other hand, it must not be forgotten that the Government of France must keep the attention of the people occupied in order to prevent internal outbreaks. _____________