RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 125, 1 May 1885, Page 2

RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

(Contributed to Wafrarapa Daily.)

There is one. phase:: of the present Anglo-Russian troubles Which is worth | notice — tliat if Russia did uot hold such an extensive grasp of the world's surface, England would have iv all probability, a serious combination of Powers arrayed against her: As it is these Powers are about equally divided m their averI 1 sion. , This is on tlie assumption,, which we think is well grounded, that such an extensive monopoly as England and Russia hold or strive for, must cause among the other Powers that envy which is akin to hatred. Of all progressive, or, I according to Western ideas, civilized Powers, the United States alone can look without this envy on England and Russia's development into huge Empires. And the United States will ouly do this as long as their territory exceeds the requirements of their population. If a man has a good dinner m hand he vail not envy his neighbor, who may have an extra sauce or finer table linen. But the other progressive Powers (happening to be neighbors of England aud Russia J have no good dinner for their surplus energy aud population, consequently they envy those who have. So vre arrive at our suggestion, that England is better off with a rival such as Russia, for withput this rival all the accumulated envy would centre on England, plus the hatred which follows that very human passion; Imagine at this moment, with the hostile feelings m existence of which we have of late heard so much as being directed towards England's colonial claims, what that hostile feeling would be like if England stood alone as an Empire seeker. Imagine England, just now, going to war with some smaller European Power on the question of colonial acquisitions, and we might well dread the combination of European Powers which would cry " enough of this Hectoring." If wo examine the position of the European States on this question, taking into consideration the present universal feeling m favour of colonizing, and we find that that they are nearly all m accord m thinking that English enterprise has made the world too small for them. The old idea of the balance of power still holds some sway m Europe,and undoubtedly England's increase of territory and power is balanced m the minds of statesmen with the fact that Russia has also assumed great proportions. This idea affects Germany largely, and Germany just tiow largely affects Continental Europe. England cramps German trade and colonization schemes, and Russia cramps her European schemes. Out of these complications we can at least see clearly why Italy and Turkey must side with England m wishing to keep Russia from the Moditeranean and Red Sea. A few months back it seemed as if a European league were forming with the object of humbling England, but fortunately any such league would fuel the dauget of weakening Russia's great rival. The impending struggle for Asiatic empire must be watched with interest by the European States, almost all of whom haveiu their day raised a hand towards the golden apple. To give another version to "Dame's. Europe's school" the present state ef affairs looks like two big and unpopular boys at school stripping for a fight, while the other boys are devoutly wishing that if fight they must, they will at least both get a rough mauling.