THE FRANCO-RUSSIAN FRIENDSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 252, 24 October 1893, Page 4

THE FRANCO-RUSSIAN FRIENDSHIP.

The officers and sailors of the Russian fleeb at Toulon have been welcomed in the effusive style characteristic of the French people. When the visit waa tirst announced, there appeared to be a danger of a little friction. The Government and B great body of the nation were determined to make the most of the occasion for political purposes, but the Socialist section of the press and the Socialist deputies were unwilling to draw closer the bonds of friendship between the Republic and the Russian autocracy. If the Anarohiats could havo carried out their wishes the visitors would have been openly insulted. But nations do not sacrifice political interests for theories of Government, and the friendship of the Russian autocrab is at present invaluable to the French nation. As for the other great European Powers, they regard the situation with mingled feelings of curiosity and apprehension. The Vatican press ■wenb so far as to advise the French to turn their attention to social reforms instead of exciting themselves over the visit of the Russian fleet), but French politicians are not in a mood at present to listen to any adrice that emanates from Italy. The opportunity of furnishing an object lesson to the rivals of the two coquetting nations is too good to be lost.It was no doubt thought that the occasion would serve the double purpose of showing that in case of war Franco would nob be left to confront the Triple Alliance singlehanded, and of giving England a quiet hint that Russia might counts upon a friend in pursuing her designs in the JEasb. M. Zola, probably, accurately described the position in the course of an address a few evening 9 ago, when he said that France was nob prepared for war, bub dosired to be revenged on Germany. The remembrance of the disastrous results of the FrancoPrussian war is still fresh in the minds of the defeated people, and the French have never relinquished the hope of turning the tables upon their Teuton foes. This feeling has been strengthened by recent events in Germany. The passage of the Army Bill has strengthened the hands of the young Kaiser, and the confident tone he assumes is, no doubt, exasperating to his rivals. 1b is a sore point, too, bhab the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine are becoming every year lass French in sentiment, and more German in their predilections. The recent review of the German army ab Metz furnished the Republic with an unpleasant reminder of the extent of the enemy's military resources, and the presence of the Prince of Naples ab the manoeuvres evoked an oubbureb of bibber and excited feeling in France. The cloud, however, is nob without a silver lining. While the Great Powers seem bent on impressing each other with a display of their respective military resources in case of war, the Ministers of every State are loudly proclaiming that their energies will be directed to maintain unbroken the peace of Europe.