The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, DEC. 28, 1886. European War News

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 75, 28 December 1886, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY, DEC. 28, 1886. European War News

The whole of the Great Powers in continental Europe are on the eve of one of the greatest struggles which has ever disgraced civilization or nations I professing Christianity. Germany, France, Russia, Austria, and Fngland, | ' are all prepared for the conflict. ! France aud Germany have already increased their armies to a war ! strength, while Austria and Russia are increasing their armaments to beready for war in the ensuing spring. Germany says she cannot rely on the friendship of Russia while the latter oon* tlnues to mass her troops on the frontier, and coquette with France; while England has had to warn Turkey that unless the Turkish. Government abandon their expressed friendship to Bussia, and hatred to English policy, England will take vigorous action to counteract Russian threats. Altogether it would appear that a prolonged peace is impossible. If we may judge by past diplomatic history, England and Germany will unite against France and Bussia, while Austria will steer a middle course or stand on the defensive. The other powers will be doubtful of her as a friend, and hold her in contempt as an enemy. Italy will hold her in check to some extent, as nothing fires the blood of an Italian like the white uniform of Austria. The great naval powers being engaged, will afford an opportunity for enterprising commanders to push their war vessels into the South Seas, in search of glory and plunder. One great consolation is that the warnings we have already had have not been neglected. Many of the larger seaport towns in Australia and New Zealand have been, or are now being put in a condition to resist and defeat the attacks of any vessels likely to make the attempt. While there is yet peace there is hope ; but the only real ground ior ' any hope of peace at all is that the very magnitude and cost of the war preparations may terrify the nations. . The people who pay, may sternly demand peace, and abstension from a useless, brutal, and costly epoch of bloodshed. The sudden and unexpected disruption in the English Cabinet, caused by the resignation df Lord* Randolph Churchill, may tend to |increase the complications of the position. His assigned reasons that the state of foreign affairs does not justify England in spending more money in strengthening the army and navy, are not, to the outside world, justified by the surroundings. Our conjecture is that when Lord Randolph Churchill visited Prince Bismarck, a few weeks ago, he received private assurance from that clever diplomat, of an intention on the part ■ of Germany to preserve the peace of Europe. In that case he would judge further expenditure on war material 1 unnecessary. Whatever the reasons, he has justified the forecasts of his [ enemies, who have throughout de- , clared his fall would certainly be the , natural sequence of his overwhelming > self-confidence. The course of events in Europe in the direction of war will not be diverted by the presence of a ' weak Ministry in England.