INTERNATIONAL DISARMAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 206, 1 September 1898, Page 9

INTERNATIONAL DISARMAMENT.

THE CZAR'S ■■'PROPOSALS.

DIVERSE OPINIONS

THE FRENCH PRESS IRRITATED,

LONDO-T, August- 31

The English labour leaders enthusi- ! Qstically welcome the disarmament , scheme. ' i General Booth telegraphed his , thanks to the Czar. j The opinion in the city is not op- ; timistic regarding the ptoposal, which is attributed to Russia's embarrassed economic condition, nol is looked upon as an attempt to alhy suspicions preparatory to heavy borrowing in j connection with Russia's schemes in j the Far East. The Parisian newspaper* are intensely irritated, and declait: the proposal is inconsistent with the Russian Alliance, and impossible unless Germany returns Alsace and lorraine to France. Diplomatists are sceptical as to the practical results of the prop-Sals. The Paris correspondent of the Times says the French officials are stupefied, and declare if the proposals hacl emanated from Germany.it would j be equivalent to a declaration of war. j The leaders of the army are inlignant. ' The Trades Union Congressadoptecl i a resolution urging the Gownment j to support the Czar's disamament j proposals. Bishop Kennon characterise! it as j a noble proposal, which has tiuched ■ the highest watermark in the ide of Christianity. PARIS, August 31. As a result of the enunciatki of the disarmament scheme, Russian bonds have declined in Paris. i ST. PETERSBURG, August 11. | Count Muravieff states that the Czar originated the disarmament proposals owing to his intense love of peace. He also says it will be impssible to submit a programme to Hie proposed Conference before the endof the year. BERLIN, August 31. The North German Gazette acelains the net of the Czar as noble philai. thropy, and adds there is nothing t. prevent Russia ancl Germany co-' operating- in the realisation of a gen-, eral international peace. German Socialists declare it is a Russian trick. The general feeling in Germany is intensely enthusiastic because it will compel France to abandon false hopes of Russian help. ROME, August 31. The Italian press says the proposal brings war measurably nearer.