The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5310, 2 April 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1878.

The news received from Em ope day by day since the commencement of the Russb-Turkish war has been of au exceedingly conflicting character. At one time we received intelligence that the Eastern Question bade fair to be solved without England becoming involved in a war, whilst a day afterwards news comes to hand that there is great excitement in the mother country regarding the designs of Russia, and that there are grave apprehensions of Groat Britain being forced into a war for the protection of her own interests. However, it has been the same for the past twenty years. Whenever Europe was in a disturbed state, there was sure to be a feeling of agitation in England. At one time the increase of, the French army was looked upon as a grave cause for alarm. Again, we talked a great deal about going to ■ war with Prussia on account of the Schleswig-Holstein affair. On more than one occasion during the American civil war there was imminent danger of England taking part in it, and there was a strong party ever ready to fight on behalf of the Confederate States. At the latter end of the Eranco-Prussian war there was I some talk of sending an English army to 1 the relief of Paris. However, in all the above cases the influence of the leading minds of England averted the sacrifice of English lives, and the expenditure of perhaps hundreds of millions of English money, in fighting other people’s battles. We mention these matters to show that although, according, to the telegrams, affairs in Europe,: are very critical at the present time, the warclouds may blow over without. England being involved, and without any loss of power or prestige. Still we cannot help believing that the peace of Europe is hanging in the balance at the present time. The resignation of Lord Derby is highly significant. He is a man of peace, and he evidently regards the action of the Cabinet as likely to drag England into war with Russia. It is said that Disraeli is ambitious of immortalising himself, and in the pursuit of this object will not hesitate to kindle the i torch of a European conflagration. This much is generally believed, that had it not been for the influence of Lords Carnarvon and Derby in the Cabinet England would have gone to war to prop up the integrity of the Ottoman Empire. Lord Salisbury, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, has hitherto belonged to the moderate section of the Cabinet, and it is to be hoped that in taking the important position he now holds, he was not imbued with the bellicose intentions of the Prime Minister. Earl Beaconsfield, we notice, desired to impress upon Parliament that the calling out of the reserves was only a precautionary step, and not an offensive display against Russia. Considering the appearance of affairs in Europe, the action of the Government does not appear at all an extreme step. Even a Cabinet strongly in favor of peace would deem it necessary to make preparations for war. The contemplated Congress has fallen through, through what appears to bo the stubbornness of Russia in insisting upon reaping some solid recompense for the fearful loss she has sustained in men and money in prosecuting the war against Turkey. There are certain things which England must guard against, and the principal one is that the Black Sea shall not become a Russian lake. Both England and Russia have expressed a determination only to bo bound by their own interests. But in connection with this it should bo borne in mind that both Germany and Austria are more vitally interested in Russian aggression than England, and we can see no earthly reason why the mother country should go to war for German and Austro-Hungarian interests. Bismarck, it is said, is laughing in his sleeve at the vapid ravings of the war party in England, and the German Press is teeming with gibes and insults against the British people, almost with the avowed object of goading them into a war with Russia, whereby German interests would be protected by the force of English arms, whilst Russia, the. powerful rival of Germany, would be crippled for years to come. Our Teutonic brethren are as farseeing as the war party in England are shortsighted. Bismarck, the man of “ blood and iron,” is more than a match for the showy and brilliant, though somewhat erratic genius who is now tho chief of the English Cabinet. A strong Russia would be a standing menace to Germany, and a Franco-Russian alliance is hot left out of the calculations of Prince Bismarck. It Has been customary of late to speak slightingly of the power of England, but it is interesting to note the profound impression which the recent attitude of the mother country has created, in every country in Europe. The mere fact of England calling out her reserves has seriously affected the stocks of half-a-dozen nations. Should Great Britain draw the sword, she alone among nations would be capable of continuing the struggle to, the bitter end. England’s power of'offensive warfare has been vastly underrated.:: The, Secretaryi of War stated a short time ago, in tho House of Commons, that in the event of a conflict 110,000 regular troops would be at once available to take tho field, and that over 400,000 auxiliary troops could follow in a comparatively short time. With such a force, it is felt that England could take and defend any place where her interests were menaced, against the might of tho Czar of All the Russias, with his bankrupt exchequer, and an army that

was sorely tried in conquering the Turks. Lot'us, however, trust that Russia will be led to abate her demand?, and that moderatev counsels' will prevail in the British Cabinet. '-(’.Considerable weight should be attached/to tfyo opinions of such-men as Gladstone, Bright, and Forster. - They declare- that there are other nations more vitally interested in the than England. Lords Derby and Carnarvon are of a fine old English stock, and. would naturally be jealous of their country’s honor being tarnished or her interests imperilled. It is deeply significant that they have refused to follow Earl BeaCONSfield in the policy of fighting , other people’s battles.