THE PROPOSED DISARMAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 308, 30 December 1898, Page 4

THE PROPOSED DISARMAMENT.

'Why should Europe disarm?' is the title of an interesting article in 'Nineteenth Century' by Sir Sydney Low. He begins by commenting in somewhat cynical terms on/the anomalous spectacle of the Czar of many millions playing the role of Cobden and the Peace Society. So far, however, 'The Little Father' has not evinced any signs of eagerness to set the example to other nations. In proportion to her resources and requirements Russia is more heavily armed than any other state in the world. The regular avmy on a- peace footing Is set down at--868,000 men, while Germany , ranks next with 585,000, and other nations stand in the following order: —France 521.000; Austria-Hungary 357,000; while Great Britain is credited AA-ith only 220,000, which looks like a serious und^r-estimate taking into account her native troops in India, the West Indies, Africa, and smaller jxisses--sions.

Sir Low points put/that those people who take a sceptical view^of, Prussia's sincerity argue that it Avould.suit her very Avell to shelve under cover of a peace conference" certain thorny questions which have been troubling the diplomatic resources of St. Petersburg and London. The Czar's attitude, in fact, resembles that of the Kaiser, who only the other day, whilst expatiating in " his -characteristically optimistic style on the manifold blessings of disarmament selected this as an appropriate time to propose a considerable '.increase in ..the standing army of German}'. There is no doubt that Russia "in the. present straightened condition of her finances, would be glad of rest and. recuperation. .Though the proposed disarmament may have been a master stroke of political strategy on the part of the Czar's nearest advisers, who compose that poAver behind the throne which is greater than 'the throne itself, there is reason to believe that he entered into the scheme Avith' all the- rosy enthusiasm of youth and a tendency to humanitarian measures. . *

No one Avho has witnessed actual warfare will deny its terrible evils, the suffering, starvation and torture of men and beasts, the trials of the long march, Avhere the Aveak Avho fall by the Avay must be left to be torn and rent by wild beasts or birds of prey, or be"ruthlessly slaughtered by the' enemy. Amidst the thunder of the guns-and the rattle of musketry there are episodes from which the human soul in its calmer moments shrinks Avith horror and disgust. These are the seamy sides of glorious Avar, with all its 'pride,, pomp and panoply. We would all gladly hail the advent of that millennium so eloquently depicted by Tennyson Avhen the war drums shall be silent and the battle flags no longer wave over scenes of carnage.

Yet Avar is not an unmixed evil. No people have . ever risen to national eminence and greatness Avithout the discipline which it demands; feAV nations have attained to excellence in art and science, learning or industry, without war's stimulus. The great literary, and poetic aig-es are those that have followed on successful war. It is the canker of a long peace which breeds sloth, and Aveakens tenacity and courage. The stimulus of a great patriotic sentiment, the spirit AV-hich induces men to endure hardships and incur dangers, nay, even to rush into 'the Imminent.and deadly breach' or. 'seek the bubble reputation c'en at the cannon's mouth,' acts like a, tonic on - the national health and A'igour. An eminent British statesman declared not many months ago that a firm alliance between England and the United States would be cheaply purchased at "the price of a great European.Avar. It seems equally true that the greatest stimulus that could be given to Imperial and colonal federation would be a serious, struggle Avhich would call forth all the Avarlike resources of the British Dominions.

The Aryan races AA'hich have evolved the highest type of civilisation are those which rank first in naval and military proAvess. But they are in a minority as. compared with the vast hordes of yellow, brown, and black races who environ them. What would happen to the Avorkl if the Avhite races dropped'their'weapons .and the doors Avere opened for an inrush of Slongolian and African barbarians? The Goths, and Vandals only sAA'ept over Europe .when Imperial Rome fell from her pride of place, and her legions no longer stood like a barrier between the city on the Tiber and the hordes of invaders. There a.re millions of semicivilised inhabitants of the frigid Steppes Avho would be glad, to exchange their habitat for the Avarm, fertile valleys of Southern Europe, 'with their Avaving cornfields and vineyards and orchards, and only the cannon and serried . steel of the white Christian races keep them back.

One .favourite argument of the antimilitary writers is that disarmament would make producers of the millions of. men now "bearing arms and so aug-

ment the wealth of-the nations. But there' is no certainty that these discharged myriads of. warriors would I find profitable employment even if they did not help to sw Tell the ranks of the unemployed. It is.; now admitted | on all hands that the period when the 'Little Englanders' were most powerful was that in which the nation was mainly engaged in amassingwealth; and the country was only aroused from its apathy and unpreparedness by the thunder of foreign guns and threats of preying upon j that immense hive'of wealth that had been accumulated during a long peace. Only recently has the British Empire awoke to the consciousness that if it possesses vast riches, «uch possession demands strength and vigilance to guard them. France, with an annual expenditure of 1,000,000,000 francs upon her army and navy contrives to be fairly prosperous. Germany, which can mobilise 3,000,000 of soldiers on a war footing, has been rapidly extending her commerce j and successfully competing with peace-loving England.' Japan, as the result.of-the war'with; China,, is launching out upon a career of amazing prosperity. The great armaments of Europe actually make-for peace instead of war. In former times %var could be made by a few thousand men. \\|hen the -elan SlcFairson sWore to annihilate the clan SlcTavish the respective armies were less .numerous than a modern squad. Xow-adays war between two leading powers * means the expenditure of hundreds of millions of money, paralysis of the whole industry of the nation, with the awful risks of failure. Before embarking upon a Jife and death struggle modern leaders of nations will pause and resort to every honourable means of parley and compromise. The recent tension between England, France and Russia is a strong ease in pojnt. The common sense of -the nations has prevailed because the consequences of war appealed more strongly to the minds of diplomatists than the fury and passion of the mob. But as the "poet Lowell said, 'Civilisation must still contrive to move forw rard sometimes even on the powder-cart.' ============ / The 'Star' will not be published on Sfonday next (Januaiy second). Advertisers should make their arrangements accordingly. Ripe Burbank plums wTere sent to town this morning (Friday) by Sir T. Shepherd, of Birkdale. This is several days earlier than usual. x About thirty gumdiggers met /it Lucas' Creek Hotel on Thursday to discuss the new legislation and the license. It was felt that- the diggers; in the disn-ict would suffer from the change, because many of them were men "who were only engaged in the work for a few weeks while Avaiting for other employment, such as seamen, etc. A resolution disapproving of the. Bill was passed. Sir. Alex. Bray was chairman. The Post and Telegraph Department had an exceedingly busy time , during the Christmas holidays. During the four days from December 21 to" 24, no fewer'than 1,754,475 letters, books, newspapers, and parcels were handled (received and forwarded) atthe 17 chief omces in the colony, against 1,605,543 handled during the same period in 1897. The. telegrams handled at the 17 chief offices were 62,384, against 56,152 handled during the corresponding period of 1897. The letters and other articles handled at Auckland numbered.: 1897, 245.373; IS9S,' 365.655. The telegrams .dealt with at Auckland totalled: 1597, 5,653: 189S, 9,679. Special - arrangements were made for overtaking the increased amount of work, and the delivery w-as carried- out practically without a hitch. -' A case of supposed ptomaine poisoning is reported from Onewdiero, Lower Waikato. Three of the children of Sir J. Brown, creamery manager, were taken violently ill aftey eating suet pudding and other food at dinner, and every symptom of poisoning was apparent. Dr. Dalziel was sent for, and attended to the children, Avith the result that they are out of danger and recovering. ;• The annual meeting of the Canterbury Frozen Sleat Company Avas held yesterday. The report recommended the payment of a. dividend of five per cent., making a total of nine per cent, for the year, and £152 18/6 was left to carry foiward. The totals of stock dealt with during the year Avere: — 279,224 sheep, 373,831 lambs, 71 cattle, and 122 pigs. The report Avas adopted. The question of appointing two auditors, instead of one; as at present, was disebssed, but no change Avas made. The chairman reported . thatthe neAV Avorks at Fairfield, in the Ashburton district, would be opened in February. ' . The phonoscope, Avhich has been on exhibition at Slessrs H. A. Isielson and Son's premises, 360, Queen-street, for the last Aveek or so, has aroused considerable interest. Hundreds avlio have seen this instrument have ex- , pressed surprise at the clearness and beauty of the pictures and the entire absence of vibration. It is claimed ! that the phonoscope is the only instrument Avhich reproduces action and phonographic effects combined, slioaving large and clear pictures in broad daylight. Sir Saelson, jun., is the im ventor and constructor and is to be congratulated on his success. ' There is also on -view a very fine kauri gum collection, Which can be_ seen free of charge. - ' ' Our Tuakau correspondent AvritesV The sad death .of Frank Poland caused a feeling of the'deepest; regret in this ah'd surrounding districts: His parents are t-esidents of Tuakau of over 30 years standing, highly esteemed and respected by their wide circle of acquaintances. The bereaved family have the sympathy of the whole community, for despite the fact, of its being harA'est time and the busiest time of the year, the remains. Avere folloAved to the cemetery by a very lar"-e number of people, the procession including twenty-four A'ehicles and about seventy horsemen. An inquest aa^s held by Dr. Philson, coroner, at the Prince Arthur Hotel, on the. body of an infant four months old, named Bertie Samuel Stephen Clarke, boarded out with Sirs S. Slai*--1 tin, Lower Vincent-street, under the Infants' Life Protection Act. The child, Avhich had been ailing of late, had been medically attended by Dr. Dawson. .The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the child died from convulsions. The popularity .of the Sfelbourne WaxAVorks in the Agricultural Hall remains undiminished, and last evening and to-day the wax figures and the side shtiAvs avere inspected with interest.by large numbers of people. >\n excellent stage performance was given. The waxworks Avill remain _ open daily until further notice.

_-.■— ,|ii||„i„„„||,|||j| „•,;, ~/„.„„. . Hi,,.,:,,' ■"" 1 The Christchurch College Rifles en route to Auckland to compete in th Exhibition Military Tournament Wer a entertained at luncheon by the Wei jlington College Rifles. " " . I The committee ' appointed by i; m (Auckland Liberal Association to,. tl purpose Of helping the old people to I prepare their claims under (l, e qu . S Age Pensions Act met in the Wesley ' j Hall, ■ Pitt-street, last evening. About--50 claims were filled in, and they.win be forwarded to the Deputy Registrar in due course. Messrs P. E. Cheal and ■ W. Beehan, J.P.s, were in 'attendance for the purpose of attesting fW ,' claims. To-morrow evening, another meeting will-be held at the same time "' and place, and a full staff will he^n attendance to further the business Mr ,S. Reid, the secretary of the Liberal Association, will attend at claimant's houses to help those who' through infirmity cannot attend. The committe will continue to hold meetings (to be advertised) until all claims . are attended to. The .OTdihary .meeting of the' Oti^-; hunga Borough Council was held hit night", when there w-ere present Messrs Rowe, -Fleming, Shaldrick, Colledge. "'; Stoupe, and Baking.' In the absence of Dr. Frson (^iayor) Mr Rowe pi- e . . sided. Tenders were received for the grazing of the various reserves, and, the following were accepted:—Recvea-V' tion ' Reserve, ,J. . Beaver, £30Allan's Springs Reserve, p' .' SlcGeheah, £21' 10s. The tender, of.Mr William Bray to supjUr coal (Taupiri Extended) for the pumn- . ing station at-12s per ton was accept: ; cd. Mr Fleming, Chairman of the "Reserves Conimittee, reported on the conA : d ition. of .the trees recently planted or. ; the Recreation Reserve, and he was in- > strueted to protect them as he. should 1,5 deem necessary.. He was also,,;em- Ax*;] powered to form a footpath tliroiio-h fA \ ■the Domain. The Treasurer's state- ! ment showed ; a,credit balance on"each i account- except the general "account. The sum of £.76 6s was voted to the •'■ Charitable Aid Board, being the half- j yearly, instalment of the Council's/- j liability to that body. The Foreman '■ I of Works was; instructed to employ extra labour for repairing the foot-' paths. At the request of the Mayor, it '■ ! was agreed to hold a special meeting j of the Council next Saturday to con- - I sider the water question. ",. ■ ■ A . _ ■ . ' •; ■ .A- .'?;-'--;-;-'..'' A very interesting little ceremony.;;: A •_ took place at the premises of Messrs Woollams and Co. on Saturday. De* cember 24th, when Miss Schnauer and Mr Cummins, two very much' respected employees of long service, were each presented Avith a Deautiful din-: ncr set as a testimonial on the bcea- ' sion of: their respective marriages. Itr-i A. Woollams, in a few well-chosenV words, made the presentations, speak--;'v ing highly of the esteem in which the -. two were held by the firm, and wislKy ing them on behalf of all long life and happiness. The recipients suitably replied. Three cheers -were then called, after which cake and wine were handed round. . To-morrow afternoon the Admiral is advertised to follow the war-canoe ./ race, leaving the Ferry Tee ai. a-qu-ir-' ;', ter to three.- '-.-'." " i . ~. Mr W. H. Bartlett, who is operating the camera for taking animated pic- • tures for Sir A.. H. Whiteliouse, has taken a photograph of the contest and * Uhlan winning the Auckland . Cup" It Ellerslie on Boxing Day. It is stated that a very successful picture has b.e?.a the result. Over 1250 photographs,coin- - ' prise the .whole scene, showing tha horses galloping up the. straight'and ;; Z::. flashing past;the judge's box; also the winner being led up and weighed.in, and.the surging crowd on the grandstand. A diversion is caused by the excited owner of the winner rushing -on to the course and the efforts to restrain him. • Sir Whitehouse will - , haA'e the scene on exhibition for two nights only, also giving short per- . j formances of kinematograph items and' phonograph selections, in the vestibule at year of Sir Bartlett.'s',..: studio. Queen-street. Christmas business is generally re-.; I ported,by city tradesmen to have been considerably above the average. The leading city jewellers have been doing an immense business during, /the Christmas holidays. Such firms as Messrs Stewart Dawson and Co. and • Messrs Skeates Bros., both of Queen- - street, have had to cope with an'over-, v flowing- volume of trade. ' Their s-.ises,: -,- we are informed, exceed similar sales' * two years ag-o during the .mining boom. Such a volume of business in jewellery sales; and similar lnxm-i'-a must be taken as a good sign that money is plentiful. ' 'f. On Saturday next (New Year's Eve)- - the 4.15 p.m. Auckland to .Mercer train will run through to Cambridge, stopping at intermediate stations as required. This should suit.a number of . town residents.who wish to spend tha; .- Kew Year holidays in the country.,. A 'biggest man' competition, was . held in Melbourne in connection with -j a bazaar, last week. The champion -.vas pi-ovecl to be a- constable hailingfrom Preston, colonial bora, who scored 34 points, 32 points being awarded to his next opponent. As this competitor also gained the special - prize for the best entry of any country, his measurements may be inter-. .'. esting:—Height, 6ft 4fin; weight, - 19st "lOlb; chest,' 46in; neck, 17i}in;„_ ; . shoulders, 49in; waist, 45iri; hips, ..." 4Sin; .thigh, 26in; calf, IS-}in: length .of body 25in; length of leg, 34in; ■ length of arm, 31in; circumference of. muscle, Win. '.-. _'" In America all the large drapery;; t establishments •' are particularly at-.. tenti-ve to wants of their customers in providing means of refreshments, 'one., of the necessary adjuncts of 'such places being a soda fountain for the. .; supply of aerated fruit- drinks. Some, _ of these fountains are of very elaho-; .^ v rate construction, costing as high'as \ . 10,000 dollars. During the recent trip' , made by: Sir Geo. FoAvlds through America, he was impressed with the-. suitability of such an apparatus^ for .;• the .supply of cool refreshing drinks ; in a climate like ours, and accordingly he purchased. a. very handsome .-tn^Vc- . chine, which has just arrived and been,, fixed up in his mercery shop at vie- , toria Arcade. The fountain is "°f- '. very elaborate design, and is buiH 'n marble of different colours, with • a handsome °lass front and elaborate chandelier for electric lighting purposes.-' The pipes and fittings-are : all made in niekle silver." Fourteen-*- ■__; different fruit essences can be supplied from • the fountain with s°£ 9 water, also mineral waters. The. ,: - tumblers for drinking purposes_ are .'. - enclosed in handsome niekle silver . holders. This new attraction of Sir.; Fowlds' shoukt prove a great draw in , the summer months. . . . Last evening at the Central Mission > Tent Services Sir .Robertson continu-.-; ed his address upon the Immortality ; of the Soul. There was a large attendance. Sir Dimant is announced*VV • speak to-night. v: ,__,__:;_ ...__is..i^jJ (

- Jlr F. L. Prime, J.P., presided at,the Police Court this morning-.- Georgiua Thornton Avas fined 10s, or 48 hours hard labour, for drunkenness, and 'three first offenders 5s or. 24. hours. Emma Bailer, charged ' ■ with 'wilfully setting fire to, a dwelling occupied by her, w-as j-etoanded for one week, bail as before. Charges of vagrancy against. Cecil .Murray and Alfred Wrigley Ellis Avere ,': adjourned till Wednesday, the. remand in the case of Ellis being to give him a chance to leave the city. Charles Jjdivard Madden, charged with forging an order on October 17th in the name of George Akers, and an order on December 14th in the name of Joseph Johnston, Avas remanded for one week. Bail was alloAA-ed, accused in £20 and two sureties of £10 each. The following are the regulations for the annual festival of the Auckland Sunday School Union, to be held (weather permitting) in the Auckland Domain, on Monday next, January 2, MS99: — The scholars of" the united schools will AA'alk in procession, class -hy- class, two abreast, the schools, proceeding in the., folkming order, to be at the rendezvous for the pr,oeession to start at nine o'clock: —l. St. James' Presbyterian school will leave, at a quarter to • nine. 2. Pitt alia -Edwin-street - Primitive Methodist school will leaA-e at 8.45. 3. Tabernacle Baptist school will leave at, nine. "4.. Newton Congregational school will leave, at- ten minutes to nine. 5. Pittstreet Wesleyan school will leave at five minutes to nine. 6. Alexandrastreet Primitive Methodist School will leave at five minutes to nine to .-join the procession at top of Wellesleystreet. 7. St. Andrew's Presbyterian; school will join the procession at I Choral Hall. S. St. Andrew's P.u-tiell, i school will .-join at the Domain. o! Knox school, Parnell, Will join at the Domain. Any schools not enumerated above will leave in time to meet the procer-sion in Symonds-street at- nine o'clock. The rendezvous Avill be at- the corner of Queen-street- and Karnntrahape Road. The main route Avill via Lower Symonds-street and Grafton llcsd. The committee trust that for the sake of unanimity all the schools will folloAv the entire route without digression. The band of the Salvation Army will lead the procession. Mr Noah Wood has kindly consented to act as manager for the day. Arrangements have been made for "husses to convey parents and friends to-and from the Domain, leaving the Tabernacle at nine a.m. and returning from the Domain at 7 p.'.n. Pare, 3d each vray.

John Puller's "Vaudeville Company Jit the Melbourne Waxworks to-night.

Amongst the many popular picnics arranged for Monday next is the one for the workers and r friends of the Helping Hand1 Mission to Motntapu. The s.s. Kotiti has been chartered for the day, and many Avih no doubt shoAV their appreciation of the Messrs Reid Bros.'- kindness in giA-ing permission for the use of Home BaA*.

On Monday, January 2nd, a special train to convey 1,000 people has been placed at the disposal of the Central Mission by the. general manager of railways on this date. Avhich Ayilldeaye for this ever-charming bit of NeAV Zealand native bush at S.HO. a.m. Return fare, 1/6; children under 12, 1/.. Hot Water included.

.. An incipient fire occurred this morning in a house oAvned by Mrs, Dillon and occupied by Mrs Hendry, The latter was mixing beesAA-ax and turpentine, over a stove, Avhen the mixture caught fire and set the mantelpiece aflame. The Urebell was rung, and the city brigade and Captain Field's salvage corps turned out, but the fire had been extinguished by the time they had reached thg house. The damage was trifling, being confined to the scorching of the woodwork round the fireplace.

Another attempt- is to be made to raise the sunken steamer Tasmania, wrecked at Mahia Peninsula on July 29th, 1897. A company has been formed?Ayith a capital of 10,000'^shares at ;£1 each for the purpose of'acquiring from Mr J. A. Belle, of Feilding, the patent rights of an invention of his for raising sunken vessels by means of compressed air. With the aid of this appliance the company will attempt the raising of the Tasmania. The cutter Coralie is noAV on her AA-ay to the Avreck to make preparations, and Mr Porter leaves Auckland tomorrow to superintend operations.