Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1870.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 830, 1 October 1870, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1870.

Probably no more important news has ever been brought to New Zealand than that which was' telegraphed yesterday. Exciting events have succeeded each other with marvellous rapidity during the period intervening between thp departure of the two last mails; and yet speculation is at fault as to the ultimate result qi the gigantic cqnflict raging between two of the great European powers. the first news of the French reverses came to hand, surprise was the predominant feeling, and but few supposed thai that was anything more than a aierely temporary state of affairs. Many were inclined to believe the Emperor might be right when he said, " France had suffered nothing which could not be retrieved;" but now affairs wear a very different aspect. The capture of the Emperor Napoleon is amongst the most significant of these events, and not less in importance is his deposition, and the proclamation of France as a Republic. It was said at first >that the quarrel of Prussia was not with France, but with the Emperor," but it does not seqm that tfye war. has ended with his capture j for ? coupled with the news of io is that of the Prussians marching against Paris, and the continued bombardment of Strasbouig. It must be a matter of gratulation to the colonists that Great Britain has hitherto kept clear of the quarrel, and as '* Prussia deprecates interference of other powers," it is to be hoped that she will be able to keep out of it. It is, however, still open to much doubt whether this can be long the case, as her interference is strongly urged in order to effect a cessation of hostilities. The horrors of modern warfare are, it must be remembered, much intensified of late by the, more destructive character of the weapon.} employed; and already we read of "awful carnage," and qf "people starving in the sewers of* where they have taken shelter from' the death-dealing hail of the enemy's cannon. In view of sucn things everyone must own that, however desirable it may be for England to stand aloof, if her peaceful mediation could end the war, such media-

,tion would b e a blessing to all concerned. But whether it is by her means, or any other, let us hope that that end may speedily come.