The Globe. FRIDAY, MAY 18, 1877.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 904, 18 May 1877, Page 2

The Globe. FRIDAY, MAY 18, 1877.

Skohtly before the declaration of war against Turkey, the Emperor of Eussia took occasion to assure the British Ambassador at Ins Court, that “all that had been said or written about a ‘ Will of Peter the Great’ and the aims of Catherine 11. were illusions and phantoms which never existed in reality.” The authenticity of this document has always been denied by the Eussiau Court, and the question has been warmly debated in Eussia and France. Napoleon I. is generally credited in the former country with the authorship, for it was first published by him in 1811, when he was about to set out on his Eussian campaign. But recent investigations seem to show that such a document was in existence long before 1811, and that it was known to the French Government as early as 1779. But whether authentic or not, the “ will” is both instructive and interesting at the present moment. Elsewhere we publish its principal clauses, and ask our readers when perusing it, to remember the manner in which most of Eussia’s conquests have been carried out during the last eighty years or more. The policy of Eussia as sketched out in that will, has at any rate been most religiously carried out. The manner in which she has of late years been advancing into Central Asia, every step coupled with the assurance that it has been forced upon her; the conquest of Poland ; the means employed by her to acquire from Turkey the shores of the Black Sea, the Crimea, &c., &c.; all go to show that her policy is one of conquest, and that nothing short of the possession of Byzantium will satisfy her ambition. “It is reported in well-informed circles,” says an amusing writer, when Lord Loft us’s despatch, containing the Emperor’s repudiation of the will, was read by Lord Beaconsfield, “ that lie sent for a Queen’s messenger, intending to order him forthwith to Livadia with several despatch-bags filled with old Histories of Eussia and Turkey, and a collection of the numerous treaties of peace and eternal friendship which were signed by the representatives of those two countries during the last half of the eighteenth century, and the first half of the present century, together with some other treaties, friendly assurances, and correspondence relating to the sub jugation and extinction of the kingdom of Poland.” But respect for the feelings of the Emperor made Lord Beaconsfield change Ids mind.

The terms upon which the Pacific Mail Company are now performing the sendee between San Francisco and Sydney are somewhat puzzling. A. recent telegram from Sydney informed us, that the Government of New South Wales had given permission to the company to continue the service as sanctioned in January last. Our readers may remember that the contractors, becoming dissatisfied with the original terms of the contract, made certain proposals for an alteration of it. For one thing, they wished to abandon the New Zealand coastal service, and make the Bay of Islands the port of call instead of Auckland. The amount of the subsidy they required was also stated to ho £BO,OOO. These proposals were submitted to the New Zealand Parliament, who passed a resolution that the subsidy should not exceed £70,000, and that Auckland should be made the port of call. Much ncgociation followed, and eventually the contractors agreed to accept £72,000. As far as New Zealand’s share in the contract is now concerned, it appears to bo as follows: — We have to pay the sum of £32,500, and bear the risk of the coastal service, Auckland being made the port of call. The consent of the New South Wales Parliament has yet to be got to the modified contract, but it will no doubt be obtained. We are glad that this vexed question will thus be set at rest for a time, and on what appears to be so satisfactory a basis.

A special meeting of the Drainage Board was held yesterday, hut the proceedings were of a private nature. It was understood, however, that the propriety of the members resigning was discussed, and a definite course of action decided upon. When the next meeting is held we shall probably find that the misunderstanding between the Board and the public will be brought to a definite issue, and from what we know of the gentlemen comprising the Board we are confident that they will at once resign their seats, if they are satisfied that they have not the confidence of the majority of the ratepayers. There are several courses open to them. They may at once resign: they may submit their scheme to a plehicitum of the ratepayers; or they may hold their seats till called on by requisition from the majority of the ratepayers to resign them. The last course is in our opinion the one which they ought to take. Were they to resign at once, they might at a future time he twitted with giving up a trust before they had ascertained definitely the wishes of the ratepayers. A plehicitum is an expensive and inconvenient mode of testing public opinion, whereas those opposed to Mr Carruthers’s plan are quite prepared to take whatever trouble is necessary to have the scheme rejected. If, as it is reported, the Board will invite their opponents to adopt the course avc have indicated, we have no doubt Mr. Ollivier and his friends will accept the challenge.