THE Bay of Plenty Times AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1828, 21 April 1885, Page 2

THE Bay of Plenty Times AND THAMES VALLEY WARDEN.

"The Spirit of the Times shall teach me speed.' — KINO JOHN, ACT IV.

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1886.

HESITATING- STILL. While both England and '.Russia are evidently preparing for a great struggle both are at the same time seemingly anxious to avert it. Not that it is believed on either side that it can be averted long, but that each shrinks from the responsibility of declaring formally that the flag of peace must be lowered. There is a deep seated conviction that nothing but war will finally settle the questions in dispute between the two Empires ; but the issues are so great that the persons charged with the destiny of either Power recoil from hastening their evolution. It is felt and secretly recognised on both sides that there is something beyond the mere delimitation of a frontier line involved in th» existing dispute. That whioh is really the stake in the impending conquest is whether Eussian despotism or British freedom is to be the dominating influence in Asia. The expanding destiny of each Power has brought them both into such close j proximity that not another step in advance can be taken without bringing on a life and death struggle to determine which is to be acknowledged the possessor of supremacy. This to some extent accounts for the hesitancy and delay in making the small but fatal sign which will launch the pent up fires of the two Empires against each other. There is, however, fan other cause which makes both Powers forbear to strike— -except in a form and to such an extent on Russia's part as may possibly provoke the conflict — and that is the effect which the fact of being the ostensible aggressor may exert on the Asiatic tribes. Many minor cocsid orations contribute to this mutual hesitanoy, but the above is one of the main factors in the prolonged calculation^.

Were Russia formally to declare war against England, not only would the moral effect of her action be greatly to her prejudice in the estimation of the European nations, but it would also cause all the Asiatic tribes, even those that have succumbed to Russia, to sympathise with England. It would, moreover, cause the majority of them to rally around her, as the only safoguard against a universal despotism. Whatever faults they may ascribe to England, they would sooner put \ip with these than be placed under the sway of the Oossack. Hence in all her recent movements Russia's aita is to exhaust English forbearance, and' either prevail on the English Government to concede her claims to the frontier line she has already fixed on or compel them to declare war against her. The necessity of England, therefore, is that she must choose between these two alternatives ; for it may be regarded as absolutely certain that the declaration of war will not proceed from Russia. It is a matter of some peculiar difficulty for Mr Gladstone's Government to decide all at once which of these alternatives ought to be chosen. For, although the conceding of Russia's demands concerning the Afghan frontier would greatly damage England's prestige in the eyes of all Asiatic tribes and probably alienate the Afghans, it is yet to be considered that, unless she can make it very clear that the avoidance of war was impossible, the mere fact of the war being declared by her would tend to secure the sympathy of many of the native tribes for Russia. The question, accordingly, is which of the courses will on the whole be best for England ? Wo have no hesitation in saying that it is bettor for her to accept the risks of declaring war rather than face the consequences of diplomatic humiliation. Nor have we any reason for doubting that this is the view taken by the Gladstone Government. At the same time it is incumbent on them to demonstrate to the world that the efforts of moderation have been exhausted, that Russia and not England is the real aggressor, and that the responsibility of what may happen lies on that Power which has rendered war inevitable. This is the true situation, and it accounts for that hesitation and delay which the majority of onlookers cannot comprehend. How r long the situation will so remain it is impossible to conjecture. But, meanwhile, the preparations for the impending conflict will proceed on both sides until they have reached that stage at which a concession will either be made by Russia such as will satisfy England's obligation to maintain the integrity of the Ameer's dominions, which have been encroached on, or the aggressive action of Russian troops has brought on fresh 'hostilities with the. Afghans such as will leave England no option but to declare that the further maintenance of peace has been rendered impossible. The painful uncertainty now prevailing may possibly last a fortnight or so longer, when circumstances may be expected to determine whether or not the storm which has long been gathering is to burst forth.

The R M. Court was further adjourned on Saturday to this day (Tuesday). We oall attention to the letter from Te Puke by " Progress," on the necessity for a movement on behalf of that district to assist the settlers to dispose of their surplus stock. The Czar deprecating war is no doubt true. He is individually what may be oalled a peaceful man, but whether his personal influence is sufficient to control the war party is very questionable. The most that can be said is that the immediate outbreak of hostilities is not probable, but that a peaceful solution of the difficulty can be arrived at is hard to believe. It cannot be reached without humiliation to one of the two parties, and which is going 1 to submit ? I The "deceitful wires" anticipated the event -when they informed us on Friday night that the C.G-.s.s. Hinemoa, with Major Cautley on board and the torpedo boat in tow, had arrived in Auckland that evening. The Auckland Star, of the 17th inst., stated that the Hinemoa had not arrived at the Manukau up to 2.20 on that afternoon. It might be inferred from that romark that she was expected by that route, whereas sho actually has been seen and spoken in the Bay of Plenty, and is presumably now in Auckland with the torpedo boat. We learn from Captain Austin, of the s.h. Douglas, that the s.s, Hinemoa, Capt. Fairchild, having the torpedo boat in tow, took shelter at Mayor Island on Friday during the gale then blowing. This will account for the report of a steamer having been seen there by the Clansman on her way from Auckland to Tauranga on Saturday, and elucidates the mystery of a >( strange vessel" seen on Friday morning ' ' going north. ' ' It is reported that Mr C. F. Benzoin, who has been in the Public. Works Department for some years, will probably be a candidate for the representation of the East Coast Electorate. A complimentary concert to Miss Fleotwood is announced for to-morrow (Wednesday) evening, at the Temperance Hall. Attention is called to the alteration in the time of departures of steamers for Auckland from Tauranga, to take effect from Friday, Ist May. i Captain Edwin wired at 4.5 p.m. yesterday — " Bad weather approaching between north and east and south-east. Glass fall within ten hours, and after that time sea heavy and much rain." A most extraordinary letter from the Marine Department was read at the meeting of the Borough Council yesterday, which will be found in our report of the proceedings. This letter requires some remarks, which we will make in a future issue. By telegram received on Saturday afternoon, we learn that the Auckland Board of Education had resolved at their meeting on tho previous day to erect a school in Tauranga. But in tho absence of particulars, ifc is impossible to say whether this is a confirmation of a former resolution or whether it is determined at once to provide a school, following the temporary arrangements for use of the Good Templar's Hall. An Alabaster Box.— Young giris finding their complexion growing sallow, and their skin becoming rough or freckly, resort to perfumed-ointments for a restoration of their bloom. All such should use Hop Bitters, which will restore bloom to checks, whiteness and beauty to their complexion, making rich blood, good health, and happy smiles. Read

The sale of the Town Wharf dues by Messrs Paget and Hulme, on Saturday, realized the sum of £86 for 12 months ; ending the 19th April, IBBG. Mr Duncan Munro being the purchaser. By private telegram received yesterday and handed to us for perusal, Mr Sheehan left by the s.s. Taupo direct for Tauranga yesterday. Our report of the annual mooting of the Tauranga Regatta Club is unavoidably held over to next iasno. - This club ia ojjo hold in great esteem by the whole community and thanks to the careful management and energetic services of the members of the committee j its position is good and the greatest praise is due to the secretary and treasurer for this pleasing fact. The compulsory clauses under the provisions of the Education Act, 1877, are declared by advertisement to be in f orco in the Tauranga School District. Forms of application for exemption and certificates will be obtained from the secretary. The s.s. Clansman arrived at the Victoria Wharf about 1 0 o'clock on Saturday, and left again for Auckland about an hour after. The Northern s.h. Douglas experienced very heavy weather indeed on Friday on her way to Tairua from Ohiwa. She had 25 head of cattle on board, the property of the Whakatane Cattle Company, out of which unfortunately 15 were lost on the voyage. We are not aware of any insurance having been effected.