Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1901. A STATE OF UNREST.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 15 June 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 1901. A STATE OF UNREST.

The cables, which we published two days since as to the state of affairs ip the East, are of the utmost importance and evidently foreshadow a state of unrest in regard to European and Asiatic affairs, of which Russia is the fermenter, That the matter is serious is evidenced by the Kaiser despatching General Von Moltke with an autographic letter on a visit to the Czar. It is certainly a strange proceeding on the part of the German Emperor to send his most trusted and far-seeing general on a visit of this nature, when to all intents and purposes a diplomatist, more versed in the arts of Courts than in those of war, would be more suitable. The object, so far as is understood, is to discuss current politics. When looked at in one respect it seems almost farcical. Von Moltke may, for ought we know, possess a genius for political intrigue and

j finesse. If so, up to the present it has never been developed. To make a : shrewd guess we might venture to 1 suggest that the real object of the Prussian strategist’s mission is to discuss not diplomacy but war, and in the event of war being declared how it would affect Europe—Germany and Russia in particular. There can be but little doubt that the position of Great Britain, her colonies, and the United States has a great deal to do with the new move in European politics, especially when the action of the colonies in regard to the African war is takenintoconsideration.ltis a growing power that has to be dealt with, and this may bo one of the objects of Yon Moltke’s mission to the Czar. Germany in reality was never a friend of Great Britain, and has always played the part of that being mentioned in Holy Writ who ever “ halted between two opinion's,” and waited for something to turn up, and in this light we must look at it. We must not forget that the two great objects in the minds of Russia are Constantinople and India. She has gone as far as she Can go westward unless she infringes on the rights of her powerful German neighbor; therefore it is to the attainment of the other two objects that the course of Russia is shaped. There is no excuse at present in the direction of Turkey. There is no outbreak in the Balkans and the Danubian Principalities are quiet—not that it would take much to provoke an outbreak, if required, but it is towards India that Russia is looking and for this purpose she desires quiet in Europe—she wants to be assured of the passive neutrality of Europe before she commences her onward movement oh India. Russia never goes back. Though she may be frustrated for the time being, still she is ever ready to take advantage of any movement that will tend to her advantage. Treaties may be made, but with Russian diplomatists treaties count for very little. If it suits the Ministers of the Czar to break or ignore them, it is done without the slightest compunction. If a friendly Power should happen to remonstrate, then the matter is referred to diplomacy, and in the end the Czar has his way. If an alliance is desirable then the Power with whom the alliance is wanted is humored till the desired eiffPis gained. It suits Russia to be friendly with France, because it is a menace to the rest of Europe, and allows Russia to work on quietly without lep or hindrance. Evidently Britain scents danger, especially when she has ordered Sir Hector M'Donald to take command of the North-West Indian Province, probably in anticipation of troublous time. Russia is secure of Franco, but what about the attitude of Germany.