ENGLAND AND THE CONTINENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1222, 29 April 1880, Page 3

ENGLAND AND THE CONTINENT.

Speaking in the Austrian Parliament on 27th. January, Baron Hubner is reported to have said : — " There was a time when England and Austria were close allies. Twice they have fought side by side for the liberty and independence of Europe. Twice with the aid of other allies they have prevented the establishment of the universal supremacy of France. Hence the term of historical alliance applied to the entente between the two countries. That expression has vanished in course of time. Moreover, during the middle of this century, England sepeiated herself from Continental affairs and, save her participation, in the Crimean war, she made no further figure in Europe. England might, ao to speak, be assimilated to an orphan ; by degrees people begin to think that England, like a wealthy merchant, had retired from business, in order to enjoy her riches in quiet. Not so very long ago I myself heard it discussed in London whether on financial grounds it would not be advisable to give up the British colonies altogether, In the minds of advanced politicians the possession of India was merely a question of time. Suddenly a change took place in the disposition of the nation. The British lion was not dead ; he was only asleep. He began to roar, and the noise he made resoundddjfronr the columns of Hercules to ColohjgjL" England had reappeared in Europ%£ud ncr firsfc ac * was *° re-establish the equilibrium of Europe at the moment it was threatened in the East. On her way she met an old friend, Austria, with whom she renewed, acquaintance. The sons of the victors of Aspera and Waterloo, the great grandsons of the Herves, of Blenheim, Qu/lenarde, and Malplaquet shook hftnda. England and Austria are . old feiondp r who moye in different circles,, but who Always finish^ by meeting jom the common ground of their iate,reBts f an& hj*j.