The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. GISBORNE: THURSDAY,NOVEMBER 1, 1883

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 3, 1 November 1883, Page 2

The Telephone. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAY MORNINGS. GISBORNE: THURSDAY,NOVEMBER 1, 1883

The French nation appears to be just now passing through one of those epidemical paroxysms of pugnacity with which that nation is periodically afflicted at certain recurring periods of its existence. It was owing to this peculiar development—this species of ra ies—that the great Duke bestowed upon her the well-merited soubriquet of “ The Peace Destroyer of Europe.” This peculiar belligerent craving must apparently find vent somewhere ; and if, unfortunately for themselves, they cannot find a safety valve elsewhere, they must, of necessity, have recourse to internecine war. Even before ‘

she had scarcely had time to recover from the prostration consequent upon the terriffio struggle she had undergone in her exhausting conflict with United Germany, the old spirit began again te Revive. Although all Europe looked on with sorrow and pain to see a noble nation lying humbled in the dust at the feet of the triumphant and victorious conquerer, yet it was not ah unmixed pain, for a sigh of relief was given when it was seen that tn her defeat a fair prospect of peace was possibly assured for some years to come. But the happy period of tranquility s«»on passed away. She is now engaged ia the expedition on the Congo k the Malagass war, and the Tonquin war, besides having her friendly relations with Spain to the uttermost, by an unprovoked insult to the Spanish nation in the person of King Alfonso. She has also interrupted the friendly relations which have existed so lui.g between herself and England, by the high handed manner in which she conducted her operations agiinst Tamatave by totally •Ignoring those obligations and courtesys which all civilised nations most strictly observe towards neutrals. At various times the whole of Europe found it necessary tu combine in one common bond in endeavouring to resist and suppress this bellicose and indomitable power which, in the hands of the first Napoleon, was fostered and fomented to such a degree as to threaten the very existence of liberty in the whole world. And although his last unfortunate name-sake and successor endeavoured by every available means in his power, to check and suppress thi* irrepressible malady, the effort cost him dear, and ultimately ended in his utter downfall and rum. i%o matter what form of Government, either Republican, Despotic, or liberal Monarchism, still these ebullitions of bellicosity are sure to occur. This all absorbing and eternal ciaving for conquest on her part is fully recognised by all the northern powers, and the measures taken to meet and control its effects are to seen in the combinations which have for their object “ the balance of power in Europe.” It must be a cause for unfeigned pleasure to all peace loving people who consider and know the terrible results that follow in the steps of ruthless and devastating war that, up to 'he present, the Spanish nation has not been drawn into the vortex of desiruction, which would inevitably result from a conflict with a nation with whom war is as *’ the breath of its life.”