France, England and Australia.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 41, 16 July 1885, Page 4

France, England and Australia.

Baron Michels, a naval officer of. distinction, who lost one of his legs m the Crimea, and ha 3 been on an official mission m Australia ami the South Pacific, was startled when lie returned to find what a break-up ha:l taken place iv his absence m the Anglo-French entente cordiale. The Baron thinks France and England are bound by their geographical .u'tuation, the similarity of many of their political institutions, and oven their contrasting features of character, to be the best friends. He regards the foreign policy followed here for the last two or three years as dangerous to France, and indeed to all. the free States of France. The Baron greatly fears that if things go on as they have been lately, the fast multiplying Germans will try to disestablish all the French settlements m the South Pacific. . The English race there is too strongly and widely rooted for tho Germans to do more than tread on their heals, and perhaps force them to incur heavy military expenses from which they have hitherto had immunity. These views have been set forth m a lecture at the Salle des Conferences. The Baron speaks m a clear, nervous stylo ; and m dealing with Australia and the South Pacific throws a strong local colour into what he say 3. He is enthusiastic about our colonies, where he met with the most friendly hospitality. The vine culture Ye found so developed m some pares of Australia that he fancied himself almost m Southern Europe.