The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2980, 20 August 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1891.

The maiu distinction between an accomplished and indifferent actor is that the one represonts a character naturally and without apparent effort, and tho other allows his individuality to colour the character for which he is cast, with tho result that tho audience do not lose for ono moment consciousness of the fact that they are only witnessing a play. The drama which has recently been presented to tho world by the French and Russian people has been so much overacted that there is littlo reason to believe in the sincerity of the actors. Were this not the case, there would be good reason to anticipate the commencement of hostilities at an early date. It is stated that an alliance has been entered into between the Czar and the French Government. Of the nature of the understanding we are not informed, but if the troaty exists its object is manifestly to neutralise tho effects of tho Tripple Alliance. The two parties to if; aro the only probable disturbers of the peace of the world at the present timoi All the courting has been done by France. Russia has at last yielded to her undignified pertinacity, and has now become almost as effusive as the excitable and unstable Gaul. The Alliance is an unnatural one ; tho interests of the two nations pro utterly divergent. Thero is only aspiration which they liavo in common; they both want territory. The ono to effectually end tho sufferings of tho "sick man " by taking possession of Constantinople, and the other to retako from Germany the tTo provinces which tho result of tho lait war compelled thorn to codo to their conquerors. Wo attach littlo importance- to an undortaking which has boon f n-ued upon Russia by the Fronoh Government with tho object primarily of keeping themselves in good order with tho volatile people they have to lead and control. The Government hud to show that they were capable of making a counter movo f,o tho triple treaty which lias beon ontorod into for tho maintenance of tho peace of the world. Neithor of the parties to thin, thirst for territory, thoy want peace and hitherto, in order to securo it, have boon willing to maintain armamoiits, thu cost of which is sapping tho life blood of tho three nations. Italy has been presumed to bo the weakest member of the three, and the eyes of Europe were fixed upon her at the time of tho fall of Signor Crispi, and it was not until his successor in office, the Marquis di Rudini, declared that his nation would continue the policy. tLat Europo breathed freely. The ussurance given by the Italian statesman that there was a distiuct understanding with England that ho was favourable to the Alliance has also dono much to dispel uneasiness. When tho young Emperor of Gormanv came to the throne it was feared that he would precipitato a war for tho gratification of his personal ambition to follow in the footsteps of his warlike ancestors, happily the estimate of his character has proved it so far erroneous, and his protestations that he will maintain peace aa long as possible are generally accepted. Distant as we ar« from Europe we cannot contemplate a European war without considerable anxiety, and it is gratifying to be able to believe that peace is secured for some time at least, not absolutely however, as there is always the risk that some aggressive power may find the situation intolerable.