BRITISH FAIR PLAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6437, 17 March 1899, Page 1

BRITISH FAIR PLAY.

A London newspaper says : — "A story is being told, for the accuracy of which wo cannot vouch, but whicli is probably true, and which illustrates the implicit confidence of the Continent in British fairness. Some nierchauts of Havre recently satisfied themselves that France and England would come to blows over Fashoda, -and believed that in this case Havre Avould be the first place exposed to bombardment. They cast about, therefore, for ways of protecting their goods, and finally decided to insure them at Lloyd's, feeling assured that whatever tho luav, British underwriters Avould pay for goods upon Avhich they had accepted risks. That is as good a testimony to British probity as the conduct of the Afridis, who, Avhen ready to revolt against Avhite rule, sent their Avomen into PeshaAvur to be taken care of, is to British humanity. We believe that whenever « ar is probable on the Continent masses of money are invested in London, and- that many of the great bankers could tell strange stories of the reckless confidence placed by enemies in British firms. Yet the, very same men are not certain that the -British 1 Treasury is not spending secret; service money in promoting the Dreyfus agitation."