The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1885. A FAMILY ARRANGEMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1984, 7 May 1885, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, MAY 7, 1885. A FAMILY ARRANGEMENT.

If the subject wore not of a nature that involved the lionorofGreat Britain, the telegrams that have come to hand through Eeuter's agency during tlm hist day or two would be very amusing ; but as they relate to matters which concern the weal or ;woo of the Empire, we are forced to 'look at the simple facts that are presented in them, am 1 to draw serious conclusions from them, it is certainly not a matter of any great difficulty to express the opinion of the very largo majority of colonists upon the subject, because it is very well known that'they would rather light to the last man than conclude a peace that would lowtr the nation in tlic eyes of the world, We use tho word " peace" advisedly, because hostilities have already occurred between Russia and Afghanistan, ami because Great Britain is bound to maintain the cause of the latter, unless she desires to abandon India. The htest news is to the effect that the Czar has consented to the proposals of Mr Gladstone to refer the matter at issue to arbitration ; not simply the battle of Penj Deh, hut the right of Russia to advance beyond central Asia. \n honorable arbitration is at all times to be preferred lo bloodshed ; but the question at mice arises "who is in such a position as to express a thoroughlyindependent opinion f There are several stairs in Europe which could solve the difficulty with ease, and without leaving any doubt as to whether existing relations with onn side or the other had influenced them or not. Austria, France, or Spain could have given an opinion tl rough its representatives that have settled the matter. But foi some reason that is not far to seek, it appears that Denmark is likely to be asked to be the arbitrator. " If the question were one in which three families that are closely related are concerned we should say that a better way of getting over a difficulty could not be found. The Prince of Wales married a Danish Princess, and his brother, the Duke of Edinburgh, selected his bride from the family of the reigning house in Russia. Great Britain, Russia and. Denmark are therefore closely related, as far as their respective reigning families are con-. cerne.d. • But if Great Britain and Russia have a quarrel, is thero any likelihood of a fnir determination if Denmark is asked to adjudicate? Or would either Great Britain or Russia be justified in asking Denmark.to decide .the matter? If there is simply a quarrel between the respective reigning families, then we should answer the question in the" affirmative. But the quarrel is one in which every Englishman is as much interested as the members of the Royal Family, and the nation therefore has a right to protest against anything that approaches

n family arrangement lieing made Acts of that sort can only tend to bring Royalty into disfavor, while they pave the way towards republicatiism.