Published Daily. THURSDAY, FEBY. 8, 1894. WAR CLOUDS.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 234, 8 February 1894, Page 2

Published Daily. THURSDAY, FEBY. 8, 1894. WAR CLOUDS.

One of the most significant events in connection with the unsettled condition of political affairs in Europe, is the restoration to favor of Princo Bismark by the Emperor of Germany. When tho latter ascended the throne, he discharged the " pilot from the ship of state " who had steered it so well. After a few years of experience, and having the knowledge unwillingly forced on him that a stronger hand than his was needed at the helm, the old Warrior and Statesman, who made Germany the power that nation now is, has again been called in to assist once more iv preparing to meet emergencies beyond the capacity of the Emperor to encounter. That the people recognised the necessity for bis presence in the Councils of the State wag evidenced by the en thusiastic reception he received on his arrival in Berlin a few days ago. Iv the course of his speech to the Reichstag, as telegraphed yesterday, the Emperor, when he announced that a commercial treaty had been signed between Russia and Germany, indicated that if the Reichstag declined to accept its terms a tariff war would follow their rejection, and the tariff war would, in its turn, be followed by a real war. We may infer from this the Emperor was already possessed of the knowledge that many of the conditions of the treaty would prove objectionable to a large section of the members of the Reichstag, and was attempting to influence them by f ear — if he could not convince them by reason. The Czar of Russia, he said, had removed whatever obstacles were in the way by his personal action. I It would appear that one of the side issues of the treaty, or a result there- { from, viz, the proposal of France to impose an import duty on wheat, is offeaaive to Russia, no doubt for the simple but sufficient reason that grain forms, on the average, about 55 per cent, of the aggregate of the exports of Russia to Europe, of which France absorbs about one hundred and eighty million francs worth ; while the exDorts of France to Russia only amount to a fraction over fifteen million francs worth. It is clear from those figures that Russia has the most to lose commercially. But all of thia discussion and worry over tariff treaties may be accepted as mere indications of the distrust and jealousy of the Great Powers towards each other Although the rulers and governors of these nations may preach peace, and even in their hearts desire it, yet there is a spirit of unrest abroad among the people, while the officeiß and men of the enormous standing armies are only too eager to pet at each others' throats. We sincerely hope that wise and moderate councils will prevail, and the dreadful calamity of war be averted, because if there ia one part of Her Majesty's dominions where the prayer " Give peace in our time, O Lord " should be fervently uttered, it is New Zealand. At present we are marching on the road to prosperity and happiness, but an European war would involve us in comparative ruin.