Manawatu Hearald. TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1898. The Peace of the World.

Manawatu Herald, 14 June 1898, Page 2

Manawatu Hearald. TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1898. The Peace of the World.

4> The debate that has tak^n place in the House of Commons on the text of the Russian Chinese treaty in regard to Port Arthur, points to a feeling of very strong enmity being raised in Britain at the crafty tricks of Russia. The latter country hay ing bullied China into leasing Port Arthur and Port Talienwan, disarmed opposition of the other Powers by asserting that these ports being only leased from China would be treated as open ports ; but the text of this *TPaty, if the newspapers have it correctly, which they mosfc likely have, says that tbe ports are to be regarded for the exclusive use of Russian and Chinese warships. What a capital place this would be for p. or China to place her fleet— it would ba well taken care of, but it would be difficult, should Russia object, to the fleet getting away. I was for the reasou that Russia had chosen such a position for a naval base in the China seas that Britain secured Waiheiwai, to enable ber to compel, that which she has declared hy the mouth of her Ministers she intonds doing, these ports beiug kepi open. For months past the policy of the British government has avo\v(_Vy been to interfere with no Pow. r in its dealing with China so •ong as any country obtained from hot- .vas kept open to the trade of the world. This was styled the " open door " policy, and thus tha announcement of the treaty between Russia and China in which it expressly states these two Powers have decided to ignore tho wishes of Britain, causes the outlook for war to be nearing the time when a shot will pn» the world in a blaze. In the Houso of Commons it was announced r.hafc the document had not reached Lord Salisbury, presumably ifc is meant, officially, as it is nonsense to - uppose lhat news of such importance could reach the newspapers before it reached him. When Lord Salisbury does receive the document what fs likely to be done t If all arrange* raents are not complete possibly a formal query will be sent to China, but if all thing . are in train most possibly the China squadron will be ordered to visit these ports and assert their right; of entrance, by force, if opposed. Then there will be such a taking of sides, France musfc join with Russia,' and the Germans will be placed in a most awkward position, as if they remain neutral they will have gained nothing when the war is closed, and should France and Russia be victorious, whicli we do not think would ba the result, they wouid havo their trade in the East terribly hampered, whilst if they threw in their lot with Great Britain they would have an enemy on either frontier. The Gorman Emperor evidently fee's he is losing ground by not making him-self heard in lhe present war by now making a demand of wive promise from the Americans as to the future of the Phillipines, and possibly if his alii, ance should be sought he would make fcerms for some new outposts in return for bia valuable assistance. The Emperor is very changeable but he has shown a very fair grasp of the world's diplomacy, and we venture to think fchafc if war should arise with Russia and France we would find the Germans siding with Britain, mostly from the belief that in the long run Great Britain would come out best and therefore fche best for fcbe trade of his country. The trouble is getting fco a head chiefly from the weakness shown by America and from the Continental Powers forming a mistaken notion of the power of the United States. The Americans are weak from nofc having been prepared for war, but should such combinations, as appear likely, be made against Great Britain, the power and might of the United States would soon be seen, as the Anglo-Saxon race never fight so well, nor are drawn so closely together, as afc tha times when numbers appear againsfc fchem and the outlook appears dark. The Americans want but the spur of supreme necessity to cause them to be a power in the land and on the sea that no foe would care to encounter. With our American cousins to join us, Great Britain need fear no foe, and rather than see a Power obtaining her hold upon China by threats, and by untrue representations, we would hail with pleasure the shot that should proclaim to the world afc large thafc no longer will our Mother Country permit her declarations to be ignored and her power treated as of little consequence.

A leading financial institution informs us that advices from London state that flax will be £25 a ton on that market for the next three months. M ssrs Abraham and Williams ho!d stock sales at Palmerston oiL/Thursday and at Shannon on Friday. , The Borough Council invites tenders for the 1 ase of Section No. 44, being old pound reserve, for a term of 3, 7, or 21 years. Tiie Town Clerk notifies that on the 24th instant a special meeting of the Borough Cou ! cil will be held to consider a new bylaw relating to bicycles and tricycles. If any further evidence was needed to shew that the Spaniards have made a good defence of Cuba, the position taken up by the Americans for a naval base and the landing of some troops at the harbour Guantanamo, would be sufficient, as this point is 40 miles east of Santiago de Cuba, and abont 400 miles distant from Havana. Mr Simmods, a member of the Foxton School Committee, to-day has collected money to provide books for priz . s for the school children, and it only shows what a little energy will do when we mention that already he has collected £12. The books will be presented to the children on Friday afternoon, after which the school breaks up for the winter holidays. To-morrow afternoon, weather permitting, Capt. Kemp and Mr Jupp, have invited a number of townspeople for a trip on the river in the p.s. Nile. It his been arranged for the steamer to leave the wbarf at one o'clock. The Boman Catholics will hold concerts at Otaki and Levin on the sth and 6th of next month, and will have the very valuable assistance, of the Misses Gallagher, May Sullivan and Pend. r (2). As these 'adies will be so close to Foxton the congregation here purpose asking them to extend their journey and assist at a concert on the 7th. If this can be arranged the musical public wou d have a great treat, as the ladies are much appreciated for their musical talents in Wellington, Miss May Sullivan haviog sung at the Exhibition concerts. We trust the negotiations will be successful and we can predict a good house. Mr Jenks hns given the Borough C-nvi.il buildings a very much needed coat of paint, which has much improved, their appearance Mr Hamer having altered the front windows of his sh >p is now having a verandah erected. It is probable tha'. Lord Wo.seley, who is in bad heal'h, win succeed tbe Earl of Abcideen as Governor-General of Canada. Mr Felix M'Guire wound up his speech nt Hawera the other night with the expres sion of his opinion that " the race ot the Government was nearly ran, and Mr John Duthie would soon have the keys of the treasury, when Mr Seddon and his Party would diaappear like snow before the sun.'' It is Btated that the Awahuri Dairy Company propose to buy milk showing 4 5 test a* 5d per gallon. Sir Charles Coote succeeds Sir Nicholas O'Connor as Briti-h Ambassador at St. Petersburg. A Dutch chemist in Java claims to have discovered a process by which starch may be converted into sugar at half the present cost of sugar. The two substances are composed of the same chemical elements.