ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4792, 1 August 1876, Page 3

ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

■ ■ ■ The following (says the Melbourne Arrjus} extract from a private letter received by the mail will be found interesting, as throwing light on the present feeling in England in reference to Russia ; “ I am told that at the present moment the feeling of the Ministers is just this —that they will stand no nonsense whatever from Russia. They almost desire war, and war now rather than later. In this they are most assuredly backed up by the national spirit. Never within my memory has the tone of the ‘ fool-ometers’ been so bellicose. Very calmly, very Uttle fuss, but a thorough setting of the teeth, and a genuine determination that we will see this matter out. Now, I am not sure that this is a good thing, and though it is well to check Russia, I don’t think we ought to show eagerness to fight. And this the rather because, if I am correctly informed, Germany has informaUy said:— ‘ Don’t be troubled about the triple alliance. Russia is no friend of ours. You must fight her one day ; why not now ? Tho opportunity was never so favorable. She is nearly bankrupt, her population is disaffected. Turkey has a little money for tho time and much enthusiasm; the Czar himself is feeble and worn out. Strike, therefore, and strike hard—we’ll keep the ring ; and Russia, once beaten, will fall to pieces almost as rapidly as Turkey. She has even less to hold her together. If you wait, Russia will get stronger, both in Europe and in Asia, whilst you will scarcely advance in power, and your possible ally will certainly retrograde.’ That, as I read it, means that we are to fight a portion of Germany’s battle for her, whilst she husbands her resources and comes in at the fitting time, gaining not only credit, but more soHd advantages, by holding back. Austria cannot well move against us France daren't So we should owe Germany no thanks for keeping those powers in check, and although it Is satisfactory to find that she desires to cripple Russia even more than we do, and wishes nothing better than an alliance with ourselves, I am not inclined to

jump at the bait. Furthermore, I fancy Gortshakoff appreciates most fully how completely his whole scheme has had the bottom knocked out of it, and will in consequence avoid any occasion of offence. Already he has begun. to give way, and of a rising would, X believe, force Russia to encounter us. 1 England is a bull that fancies itself an ox,’ you remember a French.politician said. You and I have always known that England is a bull indeed, with very well developed bones and muscles. Depend upon it, Russian statesmen know this well enough too. And we have ceased to believe even°that we have lost our. vigor. Such a change has taken place since suggested the purchase of the Suez Canal shares, and we began to take onr old place at the head of Europe, It makes one’s heart leap to see how a few resolute words and one resolute step have been the signal for our detractors to stand clear. I know how you must have rejoiced at the great news, and I most heartily shake hands with you across the sea. It is something to feel that the pride one always has in England is justified in the face of the world. Yet if our rightful influence can be asserted and our interests maintained peacefully, I, for one, would gladly escape war. The three Imperial [powers cannot, of course, maintain their alliance. They are like three ruffians who have stolen a bag of gold, and swear an eternal friendship, to be cemented with the spoil—each is afraid that the other two will combine to cut his throat.