Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1903. France.

Manawatu Herald, 7 May 1903, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1903. France.

Tax visit of King Edward to Faria promises a more abiding raaulfc than the mera iniarchanga el polite speeches, aa there is every reason for what has bean said that the union of France and Britain tends to the furthering of tha peace of the world. It must be called to mind that it ia close on one hundred yaara since the two countries ware at war and person* ally it is assuredly true that Frenchmen have no wish to sever the peace existing between the two nations. If anything wa» needed to prove the value of King Edward's visit it would ba tha irritable eoamanta of the German newspapers, who evidently prefer to be left dodging between tha various Powers; trimming their expression! of approval or disapproval in * tha manner by which moat advantage oouldbe gained. Tha French people, brave and brilliant, havefexfidediagly touchy tempers, and dwell ioa much upon the*'schemas set before them by Napoleon I. Thedayaef sueh vast schemes earned without fear of God or man are passed, nover te- be ra-opensd, but still the French beep tha flavour in their mouths of whan ones their sovereign was rules el the world. After years of social disquietude the Bepublic wen led astray again by tbe Emperor Napoleon 111 whan the Germans inflicted what was than thought a ornahing humiliation upon the oountiy. Fortunately for the world, as well as lor the brave French nation tha blow ideal! her has beau more quickly recovered from than expected, and to-day hit trade and enterpriae stands wall te the fora.

As a country that has had hot power crippled she naturally feels any action that might lead to the impression other Power* were trying to benefit by her weakness, and her Parisian newspapers are mors guided by men who write to please the hour than to represent the truth, generally put facts in a most exaggerated light before their readers. Thus the incident in Africa when a French lieutenant reached Faahoda in the Soudan, before Lord Kitchener at* rived, was claimed by the press as a French acquisition though the same French army officer was really relieved by Lprd Kitchener. We all remember the howl, but the deter* urination of British Ministers and‘ the good genie of French Ministers enabled the incident to be ealmly disposed of. Again on the wail eoaet of Africa much tall talk wad indulged in by (he P«U fttni u Ike

small parties of French' syd B-itUh overlapping in countries. they wart , protecting, but here again the goo*] sense of Ministers of both nations enabled the differences to be satis* uclorily settled, The position of the two eomitrios geographically ckwly pom* »!i»»vsl to the necessity of both Iwing friendly t» avoid the enormous expense of contesting "with one mother in nhlubuilding and in preparing coastal defence one against the ether, wonder that Germany whose energies are now being directed in forming a powerfal navy looks upon any real friendly alliance being made between the two peoples witlr regret, as her navy, by the united power of Franc# and Britain would be securely panned up in the Baltio and North Seas. The great sea power kept in the Mediter* ranean is there because of Franca, is there is no other naval Power in those waters but with whoa-'Britein baa a treaty with, if we except Russia which has a growing navy in the Black Sea. •> Both nation art good traders aal the Frsnoh Most wissly mo the Biilish Ccleniei for expansion and they have always beta welcomedto • full share, and as even tbs Flinch themselves have to acknowledge that they have not been successful colontats, the action of the British cannot he really dietastefnl to thoughtful and hnsinese men.

Britain during ths past century; has shown that though she is for •olonifling ths waste places of ths earth she has no dssirs for eoaqaist of sivlliisd peoplo, and whatever hoi gains of territory may ho and at whatever float she is prepared to welcome citizens of tbs world to wherever she may be who can trade or farm or mine oh as secure a Vasia si any BriiisVet there, thus tV« policy ef the door" is believed in and madtjiaedt Why should hot the French settspreVead the position taken op and agree to grasp the band of friendship of Britain** King and thus strengthen the bonds Of friendship and advance together in the path ef oivilieation and peace ? If King Edward's visit will lead to this happy end great will be indeed our obligations for ths wonderful Tact aud pleasantness he prsaohsd this gospel of peace at Paris.