THE MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. (Moscow Gazette—Moscow.)

Waikato Times, Volume V, Issue 306, 28 April 1874, Page 2

THE MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. (Moscow Gazette — Moscow.)

Unfohtttnately, Russia and England have been but too long without any of those ties, mutual sympathy and relationship, which bind both to Germany. They were in the position of total strangers, who though they have no reason to hate each other, still cannot help feeling a certain distrust towards a person they meet every day, but never come to know. As soon as they get better acquainted, their pretiouJ antagonism will appear the most unnatural thing in the world. Is it not the want of mutual confidence rather than any real irreconcilable diversity of interests which has caused them to oppose each other in the East, and has there not been & time when they co-operated even in the Levantine countries ? The Greek insurrection found them arrayed on the same side. The rebellion of Mehemet AH of Egypt likewise made them allies. As regards the Crimean War, the English themselves are driven to admit that it yielded them no results proportionate to the outlay incurred. That this war waa altogether a mistake is shown by the fact that Russia has since resumed her proper position at Constantinople, and that the reassertion of her influence at the Turkish capital lias nothing in to disquiet the English in the least. Indfeed, to-day England is but alarmed by the proceedings of Russia in Turkey, but only by those of the Sultan's financiers. History, moreover, has proved long ago that the Crimean war was brought about by personal influences hostile to this Grovernment^and that it never would come to pass had there been other personal influences at work friendly to ourselves. "With reference to Alia, we must needs say that we fail to perceive any rational ground why we should oppose each other's action in the far East. A just( ettimate of their respective tasks ought to make Russia and England go hand in hand in those distant latitudes. If they do not, it is ciriliiation that will suffer. A storm is brewing in Asia. The whole continent is in a ferment, and who can tell what will happen next ? Asia at last recognises the superioi ity of Europe, and endeavours to imitate her rival. Naturally enough, what she is most anxious to adopt is mare outward show and tinsel. Unable to appreciate the spirit of European civilisation, Asiatics ape European manners and purchase European cannon. It is high time, therefore, for Russia and England to be on better terms, and to acknowledge the solidarity that esists between them in all parts of Asia. The world at large wilt benefit by their alliance, or else suffer from their misunderstandings: But the great fact of the identity of the Russian and Englishinterests u at last dawning ugon Russian and Engjand mind I and the family alliances ef the two dynasties, by creating mutual trust and confidence, will, it is to be hoped, accelerate a correct appreciation of their real position towards eacli other. W« bless the day on which the young couple will present them«elves at the altar for the consecration of their affection. This marriage marks the beginning of a new epoch in the relations of the two great Powers of the world — Russia and Great Britain.