The Feilding Star. Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6, 1895 ENGLAND

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 186, 6 February 1895, Page 2

The Feilding Star. Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6, 1895 ENGLAND

It 13 hut a. tow months ago that France and Russia were embracing each other with the n,ost enthusiastic demonstrations of affection, somewhat to the alarm of the other continental Powers, who dreaded the possible outcome of an alliance between two 6uch formidable nations, and everybody ex pected that England would be made to suffer. Yet what a change has come over the scene since the death of the late Czar ! The raprochement is now between Russia and England, much to the disgust and astonishment of the French, who cannot understand that any other nation than themselves are capable of experiencing such sudden changes from the deepest affection to still deeper hate. Just now, therefore, England is the special object of the detestation of the Socialists, Democrats, and other would be disturbers of the peace, an instance of which was mentioned in connection with a contract given by an English shipping company to carry war material to Madagascar for the French forces. On the other hand — but certainly before the change in Presidents had so abruptly been made— a writer in Figaro said : " That which excites the most breathless curiosity is the movement, so unexpected by outsiders by which the Russian and English Courts have placed themselves on a footing of cordiality unknown since 1885. I persist in thinking that this cannot prejudice the interests of France: No doubt if our true national policy consists in hampering the English on all points of the globe and refusing any understanding with them wherever they are our neighbours and rivals, we are on the eve of receiving from Russia more friendly admonition than encouragement, and an AngloRussian understanding, however restricted, is less calculated to assist than to thwart us. One consolation, however, is left vs — namely, that the Colonial group, whose patriotism is unquestioned, does not represent the majority in the Chamber, and has not many supporters in the country. Pru. dence, in our opinion, henceforth counsels a more conciliatory attitude towards England, especially at the moment when fate dooms us to the Madagascar expedition. It is said, moreover, that our new Ambassador in London finds the condition of af- ; fairs very favorable for amicably set- < tling all the controversies which exist between us and the English Foreign Office." The Russian papers, however received the signs of British advances with undisguised scepticism and sus picion. Russia, as the Exchange Gazette observes, maintains a waiting attitude towards the extraordinary revulsion of feeling which appears to have occurred in Ejjgjand. The value and great desirability of a general Anglo Russian understandingjtsjfully admitted on all hands, but the suddenness and .overwhelming ardour of the change of front m England has only increased Rupsian mistrust, and made Russian writers think that it is ' far too good aii at pace to be quite giopere and lasting, i