The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1898.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 380, 22 November 1898, Page 2

The Waikato Argus GEORGE EDGECUMBE, Proprietor. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1898.

All purely colonial questions sink into insignificance in face of the extremely critical state of European relations. As we pointed out some time back, the British Government now that they have made all preparations for war intend having a settlement of all the outstanding difficulties with France and other Powers. As to Africa, France has been given to understand that England does not intend to swerve one jot from the course she has laid down for herself, and that any act to thwart her means war. There is also the Newfoundland fishing question to be settled, which has been a source of irritation for many years. Then comes the Chinese Question, in which there seems to be unanimity between France and Russia to secure privileges of trade for their respective people. The interests of Britain, Germany, Japan and America are that there shall be absolute freedom of trade for all countries with the whole Chinese Empire. If these countries unite, France and Russia would have to give way and the peace of the world would be secured for some time, and the dream of the Emperor of Russia of universal disarmament be brought above the diplomatic horizon. Some of the cablegrams which reach us are very curious, that for instance which informs us that the French Press is advocating an alliance with Germany. The fact of ths matter is that France by a turn of the diplomatic wheel has taken the position of " splendid" isolation which Britain until quite recently occupied, with this difference that England has always stood in the position to command allies in case of emergency. France, on the contrary, has irritated Britain to such a degree by petty thwartings and deeds of ill-will that she has now either to cease troubling and climb down or accept the alternative of war, and has no ally upon whom she can rely to help her in a struggle against the naval power of England. Russia has disabused the French mind as to the exaggerated anticipations that mercurial and unstable people had formed. The situation is undoubtedly serious, and it is impossible to predict what a day may bring forth.