THE CONTINENT AND THE COM MON WEALTH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 155, 2 July 1901, Page 5

THE CONTINENT AND THE COM MON WEALTH.

The Italian press has taken a keen interest in the proceedings in connection with the opening of the Commonwealth Parliament, but it cannot be said that in all cases the interest is "intelligent." Certain journals appear to see in the Federation of the Australian States the beginnings of a greater Federation which will enable England to pursue an aggressive policy with success all the world over. But one journal, the Milan "Perseveranza," views the Federation of Australia with no misgivings, and in an article entitled "lmperium et Libertas" says these words, which in the mouth of Liberins were atrociously ironical, express a real truth when employed to describe the political system of Great Britain and her relation? with the colonies and the peoples subject to her. The Anstralian Commonwealth, the journal coutinues.. whfc"eortffrnvin^ and increasing local independence, strengthens the ; Empire. ,- : Howtver paradoxical this may seem it is true, for a union is strong in proportion to i its spontaneity. The freedom wine*

Great Britain leaves to her colonies maintains for her an Empire which is the. greatest marvel of modern times. The Imperium, the article adds, is no longer the exclusive properly vi Great Britain. It is the property of all the parts -which compose it. This has never been so evident as during the .South African crisis, which has revealed a unanimity of patriotic and unitary sentiment", which by itself would make up with interest for the sacrifices of a long and costly war. The "Perseveranza" declares that even if those sacrifices were still heavier, and if the veldt hud drunk even more blood, the object for which the British Empire fought, and is lighting, was worth the cost and the loss of' life— not the material object, that is, the territory of the Transvaal and the Orange Colony, but the moral object, which is far higher and more precious. The Parisian "Figaro" indulges in a lengthy article on the newest notion, in which it is declared that Franeein the New Hebrides and Germany in New Guinea will have to reckon with the Commonwealth and to defend their possessions against disquieting covetoxiimess. The journal adds that France will act wisely in following the early acts of the "Australian Republic" with vigilance and at the same time "with impartiality and benevolence."