FRANCE AND GERMANY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2172, 7 March 1891, Page 2

FRANCE AND GERMANY.

The "French are evidently degenerating into a nation of lunatics. They are proverbial for their politeness and gallantry, yet the way they treated the Empress "Frederick was shocking. The Empress Frederick is a daughter of Queen Victoria, wife of the late Emperor, and mother of the present Emperor of Germany. She visited Paris on her way to England, and was met with manifestations of anger quite unworthy of any sane people. Her visit was made most unpleasant for her, and she had to leave the country hurriedly. After this it is quite hopeless to expect friendly relations to exist between France and Germany. A time was when such ah outrage as that of which the people of France have been guilty would have led to war. Indeed, we doubt whether there was any better justification for the last war between France and Germany. The affair has, however, a redeeming feature. It appears to have been inspired by domestic politics more than by hatred of France. The Government, it would appear, treated the Empress courteously, as they ought to, but the Boulangists got up the cry against her for party purposes. This is what the cablegrams seem to us to indicate, because re are told that the German Emperor thanked the French Government for their courtesy lo his mother, and the Boulangists are said to have been exceedingly active in promoting the agitation. If our surmise is correct we can only say that the Boulangists must be the most thorough paced wretches on the face of the earth. Apart altogether from any considerations such as the respect due to the Empress the honor and the good of France ought to have weighed with them. If the affair resulted in a war with Germany it would have been a very serious thing for France. She would undoubtedly get a worse thrash-« mg than she did some years ago. But it would seem the Boulangists do not care a straw what the consequences may be if there is any prospect of furthering their own interests. In this matter no doubt they thought that by appealing to popular passions, and reopening the old German sores, they would regain lost ground. It will be a bad day for France if ever she comes to be governed by men so indifferent to her honor and interest as the men who offered such gross insults to q,i)i inoffensive lady of such an exalted'poßitiou as'the Empress Frederick

THE AUCKLAND HOSPITAL. The Aucsland Hospital Inquiry has resulted in the doctor being censured. The facts of the whole affair are that two men were admitted into the hospital—one had his band terribly injured, all the band except the forefinger and thumb being shattered, and the other with a badly broken leg. Both men died, and Miss Arnaboldi—a nursecharged Dr Collins with negligence and unskilfulness. The Atkinson Government decided to inquire into the matter, and with that happy knack of blundering which they have shown in all their administrative actions they appointed as commissioners two gentlemen who were personal friends of Dr Collins. Just as these gentlemen were about to commence their inquiries the change of Government took place, and the first administrative act of the Hon. W, P. Reeves was to stop the proceedings, a. terrible howl of indignation was the result. The Tories swooped down upon him, but he outlived their auger, and appointed Sir Maurice O’Rorke and Dr Yon Mirbach, of Hawke’s Bay, to inquire into the matter. The result has justified Mr Beeves’ vigorous action. An independent tribunal has censured the doctor, and justice has been done. We wonder what Mr Reeves’ enemies will have to say now P