The Evening Star. WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening news, Morning News, and Echo. SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1888.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 112, 12 May 1888, Page 4

The Evening Star. WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening news, Morning News, and Echo.

SATURDAY, MAY 12, 1888.

For tho oauß9 that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needa resistance, For thb futuro in tho dlstanoe, And tho good that -wo can do.

If outward appearances go for any. thing, people in England are apprehensive of an early outbreak of war, and they include in the possibilities of such outbreak a powerful invasion of England. Such, on the face of it, would soom to bo the signification of the conference which has just taken place between several members of Parliament and tho Hon. Mr Stanhope, during which tho likelihood of London and other commercial ports of Great Britain being attacked 'by a hostile licet was discussed. As the personnel of the deputation is not disclosed, however, it is impossible to get at the " true inwardness" of the affair, so as to decide with certainty whether the movement was instigated by tho commercial community or by those interested in Government expenditure on defences and armaments. In any case, I lie reply of Mr Stanhope betrays a certain amount of calm assurance, mingled with not a little that is disquieting. It is gratifying to learn that London is well-nigh impregnable, that a sufficient sum has boon voted for the work of defending ports and coaling stations, and that the military affairs of the nation are in competent hands; but when the representative of the Department of Wargoes on to hint at possible offensive operations on the part of England, his remarks cannotbutcauseuneasiness. If the maritime and coastal defences arc complete, why should there bo any necessity for mobilising the army and appealing.to the patriotism of tho Volunteers, unless, indeed, a warlike enterprise outside of the British Isles is in contemplation 1 Another unsatisfactory feature .in the hon. gentleman's reply is the confession that British coaling stations are inadequately defended, and that urgent measures arc necessary to make these secure. The fact of the exposed condition' of many distant coaling stations has long been known to the British Government, and the oulv urgency that has arisen must be found in the warlike aspect of affairs in Continental Europe, and tho probability of England being embroiled in the quarrel. Thero is doubtless good ground for anxiety regarding British coaling stations. The recent manoeuvres in the Irish and English Channels and North Soa showed that the great war-ship of to-day requires enormous quantities of coal. Its furnaces seem insatiable, and during the fortnight's manoeuvres of the British fleet, it was an occurrence by no means uncommon for a ship to empty her bunkers before she could got into port, notwithstanding that a 50-mile run would havo brought her there. In time of war, a cruiser's effective power depends upon her making a port bearing her own flag, because under the neutrality laws she cannot coal oven at a station belonging to a friendly Power. Jn tho coming conflict, therefore, tho din of battle will rage around the coaling stations, and hence tho necessity for feverish hasto in strengthening the fortifications and garrisons at those points. It is just a month sinco Russia intimated to the Powers that she would give up parleying on the Bulgarian question, and warned them that a revolutionary outbreak in the Balkan States %7as imminent. Since then there have been quite a number of popular disturbances, ranging from lioumania to Greece, and Russia has kept on moving her troops in a menacing manner. The latest announcement that Russia had found herself unprepared for war may bo a mere feint, or it may bo tho excuse for withdrawing from an unjustifiable attitude of aggression. If the latter, we shall soon find it confirmed by the withdrawal of troops from the southern and western frontiers of the Czar's kingdom. There is reason to believe, however, that Russia's delay arises principally from a totally different cause. ' A well-informed St. Petersburg correspondent asserts on good authority that the aim of Russian diplomacy of late has been to discover some method that would ensure England remaining neutral in the event of a Russo-German war.

The Czar's advisers know that, should England co-operate with the Central Powers, not only would Russia's offonsive operations fail, but tho Muscovite Empire would bo in danger of a triumphant invasion by Germany. The recent visit of Queen' Victoria, in turn, to the courts of Italy, Germany and Austria had undoubtedly a deep political significance, and was probably meant to serve as an intimation to Russia that the English power would be actively exerted in support of tho Central European, Alliance. Should these tactics result in preventing war, their wisdom will bo lauded; bub it cannot be doubted that the policy was unnecessarily risky, and would assuredly never have been countenanced by a Liberal Government. If our supposition is correct, and if the English Government. are ..committed to an alliance with the Central Powers, as opposed to the Franco-Russian combination, the excitement of English politicians and the grave admissions made by the Hon. Mr Stanhope are fully explained,