The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2962, 9 July 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1891.

E iual and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

The cablegrams announcing that the Triple Alliance has been renewed for another term must be aucrp , .' aa an assurance, so far as one pan bo given, thac tliß peace of Europe will be maintained for some time longer. The reason of the Alliance is to check the ambition of Russia on the one side, and, on the o'her, to prevent France from eni.criiig into a war to recover her Inst territory and military prestige. Tho Alliance must also be considered from the point oE vh;w that it is u barrier against an offensive movement on the part of tho two Powers combined. Tho fact that the Emperor of Russia has refused to enter into a fonnn.l treaty with France doea not blind the eyes of European stutcsuwti to IJip probability that, an agrtvmenl may become a fact at rtny moment. Them i.s naturally a disinclination on the part of the autocratic OV.nr to oxpose his hand for tho sake of an alliance with a Republic. Where is the guarantee that the policy implied, would be that which would guido France should circumstances place another than M. Carnot at the helm % The three allied Powers have little to gain from a victorious

campaign, compared wi h the disaster that would inevitably follow upon defeat. The statesmen of these three countries are not likely, therefore, to voluntarily precipitate the great war which must pilpably sooner or later shake Europe to its foundations ; and which, at its termination is tolerably certain to necessitate the designing of a new sot, of maps defining fresh boundaries for existing States, or their omission altogether from the new design. A new feature has been added to tho position if it be a fact that Lord Salisbury has promised assistance to Italy, by means of Kngland's navy, should certain contingencies arise. The seizure of the Danish navy by England is a matter of history ; the primary object was to prevent the ships falling into the hands of the enemy. Itaiy has now a powerful navy, but not sufficiently strong to hope to successfully cope with that of France, even if in combination with that of Germany. The capture of the Italian fleet by France would make the latter a menace to the supremacy of England on the seas. It is perfectly logical, therefore, to suppose that Lord Salisbury has promised to interfere to prevent such an event. The policy of Russia lias not altered for centuries, she has persistently cicted on tho supposition that aspirations are tolerably certain to bo realisod by thoao who never lose sight of tho end in view and nover miss a favourable opportunity to take a step forward. Wo all know that the goals aimed at are tho occupation of Constantinople and the acquisition of more favoured portions of Asia than have as yet fallen to her lot. Succoss in her designs would bo inimical to the interests of Groat Britain, and there is little fear but that every English statesman will by every uieaus at his disposal iiruily resist every onward movement. The danger of a broach of tho poace does not, it appears to us, ariso from the probability tliut tho ruloi's of any of the allied I'owors will euuimouee a war ; unless forced into tho position by their own populations who are chafing uudur the grovious burden of taxation which they are called upon to bear, mainly because Russia is ambitious of more territory and Prauce is thirsting , for revenge and tho rocovery of that which sho has lost. It is apparently the policy of Russia to periodically so inauojuvro her troops as to load one or other of her neighbours to fear sudden invasion. This of courso compels tho states which border on her frontier to maintain enormous forces, enormous both in numbers aud cost. It is daily becoming, more manifest that tho populations of these countries are growing impatient at the taxation levied to keep vast bodies of men in a non-producing state. It is not likely that Russia will force the position unless tempted by specially favourable conditions upon which to onter upon a war. Her policy is cleai'ly to wait till internal discontent forces the leaders of the allied Powers to take the initiative, which boingtho outcomo of popular agitation they are tolerably certain to do under disadvantageous conditions. So far frftm agreeing with those who predict an early war because of the fresh lease of tho Triple Alliance wo aro distinctly of opinion that the contrary will be tho case, and mainly so, for the reason we have given.