BAD FOR THE PACIFIC PROSPECT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 211, 20 April 1877, Page 12

BAD FOR THE PACIFIC PROSPECT.

In event of the long threatened war in Europe taking place, which can hardly any longer seem doubtful, and for which we have all along looked, the interesting question arises, as to whether it can possibly conclude without other powers than those beginning the contest becoming involved. Our opinion is that such is most unlikely to be the case. Too many and too great interests, opposed to one another, are concerned, to allow of matters easily settling down again when once they have been thus violently disturbed, even were there a sincere desire, on the part of all tbose who profess such sentiments, for the isolation of the war, and that its results should be alone the amelioration of the provinces governed by Turkey. But we do not believe that in one most important instance, at least, this desire is sincere, for we cannot see how it is possible that Germany can be supposed willing to endure, for any lengthened period, the position in which she now finds herself. The London Ttmes, in its issue of 14th February last, has a leader inquiring into what mi>>ht be the course of action likely to be pursued by this country " if Russia should pass the confines of diplowac}'." "And, according to the opinion put forward in the journal alluded to, the answer may be read in a summary of an address, lately delivered by Emperor William to his grandson on the occasion of the Prince's entry into active sarvicf. The Times having pursued the Emperor's speech, and shown how — so far as regards the German empire — great results have followed " minute attention to seemingly small details," and that the perfection of the organisation, now arrived at in the country referred to, is owing to the "docility, plodding, and intelligence" of its people, thus concludes the article from "which we quote. " Trade must suffer from the loss of the physical strength and brain which are drawn to the baTrack-room. Literature at d science must suffer from the diversion of the rarest mental qualities to the purposes of war. Political freedom must suffer in order that discipline vauy be perfect The most thoughtful statesmen of Germany would not deny these facts ; but they would reply that wealth, and culture, and liberty must have a second place in their minds, so long as Europe is an armed camp, and Germany must guard the unity sbe has won." "What, then, has Germany fiained, so far, by this unity 1 The right only, it seems, to deteriorate uninterfered with from without. The results of her patient labor, her attention to " small details," the reward of her " docility, ploddiny, and intelligence," are this alone. But is it at ail likely that her stateMiien — above all. her most astute statesman of staUcii.cn, Prince Von Bismarck — can, in their hearts, be content with this, or other than most anxious to seize the first opportunity that may offer to put an end to so unsatisfactory a state of affairs ? Most certainly it is not probable, for otherwise they would lose their claim to the quality of intelligence, with which the Times justly accredits the whole people to which they belong. iSor can we believe that the " plodding and docility" of the masses could go to such a length as, for any prolonged space of years, to submit to such a condition of matters. We may, then, naturally conclude that Germany is desirous, perhaps above all other nations, of seeing this affair of the general European camp come to an end; and, since this cannot be brought about in times of peace, that she is only anxious for such a war to take place as may secure for her, once for all, a position of security, where •' wealth, culture, and liberty," may resume the first place in the minds of her statesmen, as it was credibly reported to be the case before her boasted unity was accomplished; a unity, indeed, more to be deplored, if it be rightly considered, than applauded, since it appears to have become the prison-house of the mind of that nation which it thus rather overwhelms than advances.