Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JAN. 16, 1898. The Marquis of Salisbury.

Manawatu Herald, 16 January 1896, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JAN. 16, 1898. The Marquis of Salisbury.

The action taken by the English Go vernment through the troubles which appeared piling thick upon them, has called forth praise from friend and foe, from the residents of Great Britain and from settlers in all her colonies. There cannot be a doubt but that the admirable coolness and decision of the Maiquis of Salisbury has alone prevented war. Very soon after the present English Government entered into office it was said that even among the ranks of the previous Ministry there were not a few who regarded Lord Salisbury's advent to power with feelings of complacent satisfaction. For why ? Because he has never shown himself devoid of caution and common-sense, and in his foreign policy has displayed undue caution rather than an excess of daring. After the past few weeks excitement we can appreciate the sentiments of an English writer, who, in August wrote : — •' If, as some seem to think, we are entering upon a critical period in which the atmosphere is charged with salt petre, it is a source of satisfaction to reflect that our destinies are in the hands of a tried and experienced I

Statesman, who keeps his blazing indiscretions for home consumption, who watches over the interests of Britain abroad with ceaseless vigilance, and holds the helm of State with a steady hand." The Premier iis Unable to act alone, therefore credit is due to the other Ministers, but as the Premier is responsible for all) he is entitled to the largest measure of praise. It has been made as clear as the sun at noon*' day that all at Home desired peace, but not fch? which other nations got accustomed to when Mr Gladstone ruled the land. We have had the pleasing spectacle of the Prince of Wales at a function uttering words of peace intended as a message to the United States. The message was indirect, but most use-, ful, and allowed our cousins to know that nothing was to be gained by bluster and bounce. Then Mr Chamberlain has worked at the Colonial Office hard, and calmly, and has succeeded in gaining credit from his Sovereign, who graciously sent him an autograph letter thank* ing him for his successful services in the Transvaal. All this is distinctly satisfactory and it appears to be but a dress rehearsal before matters of much more moment take up the attention of the audience. All the threats, all the suggestions, all the actions are just so many moves upon the political chess board, with the object of winning some game for what purpose and in how many moves has yet not been declared. President Kruger has been unearthed from his obscurity just to see how much nonsense on the part of Euro pean Powers Old England would stand, and it having been found that her humour was dangerous the various Powers have been hurriedly explaining that the last thing they intended was to cast a. slur on the dignity of Great Britain. For this the Marquis of Salisbury is to be thanked, and though Mr Eeid, the Premier of New South Wales, has cabled to Lord Salisbury in the name of all the Australian colonies without consultation with them, still all colonists do " view with satisfaction tho prompt and fearless measures adopted by the Imperial Government for the defence and integrity of the Empire," and we are glad Mr Reid has thus added his mite to the praise of the good work done by the Imperial Statesmen.