The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal anil exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3010, 29 October 1891, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal anil exact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 1891.

We always receive with considerable discount any telegram which readies us through St. Petersburg. The announcement, however, that Duke Vladimir is to proceed _ to Spain to arrange tor the formation of a " League of Peace" may be accepted as having, at any rate, some foundation of truth. We are further informed that it is proposed that the League shall include Denmark, Greece, Servia, and Holland, in addition, of course, to the leading Powers, Russia and France. It is absurd to suppose that Russia can bo at the head of, or a party to, any alliance allied for certain purposes, and it is only natural that they should now seek to come to an understanding with other Powers as a check o:i the Triple Alliance, greater than the Autocracy and Republic could jointly exercise. It is difficult to conceive what bait is to be offered to the group of smaller Powers to induce theoi to enter into any treaty with these two powerful nations, with the certainty that they will be dragged into war. An alliance even for peace means nothing unless it means that under certain contingencies the whole of the parties to it will treat an aggression on one as practically a declaration of war against each and everv of the combination. France and Russia are the only two Powers which can possibly gain by war. Any arrangement, therefore, must be in their favour, and the harvest of victory would be divided between them. To bring about the alliance sonio crumbs will, no doubt, be promised to the smaller Powers. There is not the remotest probability of either of the Powers named being attacked. The plea, therefore, that self-protection should urge them to place themselves at the disposal of France and Russia is not tonable. Such an alliance could only mean this. The renewal of the Triplo Alliance unquestionably brought about the action of the Czar in visiting the French fleet at Cronstadt, and to tho alliance which is now statod to subsist between thorn. Both these Powers bolieved that the triple treaty would not bo renewed for another term and wore contented to wait for effluxion of time to put an end to a combination which has put a check on their ambition. The troaty was entered into for another term, and tho German Emperor visited England immediately .afterwards and was accorded a most enthusiastic reception. This led to the roport that England had eithor joinod the Alliance or had given assurance of support if certain ccntingencios arose. This was denied" by tho Marquis of Salisbury. England's position is that of arbiter, and in order to emphasiso the fact a cordial invitation was given to the French fleet to visit Portsmouth. The officers and tnon wero received with all possiblo official courtesy and with all tho heartiness of which tho British people are capable. The invitations told tho Powers plaiuly that England hud no intention of committing herself to oither ono party or the other. It is Euglaud, ni fact, which stands in tho position of poace-koeper. It can hardly be hoped that she will be able to keop aloof from tho next European war, and her powor thrown into the scale of either party would, in all human probability, ensure victory to the, hide she espoused. Neither tho existing nor prospective allies would dare to force a war without having previously ascertained the course England would take. England will not allow war if she can help it, and would give the would-be aggressive Powers to clearly understand that if they forced a war England's naval power would be found on the other side. This is the position which Euglaud has acquired by the astuteness of Lord Beaconsilield and Lord Salisbury, and it matters not which party may hold power, she will pursuo the same policy. Mr Gladstone has clearly laid down that the foreign policy of the Empire must be continuous, and not once has he attacked tho policy ot l>rd Salisbury until quite recently, when he expressed tlie opinion that Egypt should bo vacated ; responsibility would no doubt niter his opinion in this re3peet, We ca;;ijot seriously believe that the cablegram u t*jo now alliance is based on any more substantial foundation than some vague rumour published in one or other of the journals from whicl' tfye cablegrams arc compiled. The titlo v/hich i- p given to the contemplated leafun rc?4" like irony. Imagine a

league for universal peace with Franco and Russia as the predominant elements.