ENGLAND'S FOREIGN RELATIONS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8780, 28 April 1894, Page 8

ENGLAND'S FOREIGN RELATIONS.

[fkom oub special correspondent,]

LONDON, March 9.

It is a little ominous that Lord Rosebery'a retirement from the Foreign Office should have been instantly followed by just a glimmer on the distant horizon of possible future complications abroad. Two items of foreign news came in yesterday. First the definite announcement that China and Russia had arrived at "a complete understanding as to the Pamirs, of such a nature that China would disappear altogether as a factor in the problem, which would have to be solved by England and Russia without the aid of the third party, from whose presence much was hoped. So far as cau at present be judged Russia and China have displayed their usual tortuous—some might call it unscrupulous and disingenuous— tactics in diplomacy, and England has been virtually overreached.

China is now making ostentatious and unusual demonstrations of her friendship for Russia. Russia haa simultaneously decided upon a large augmentation of her field artillery strength. This latter move can hardly be directed against Germany in view of the recent rapprochement between these two Powers. Against whom but Great Britain ?

Happily the Czar is unmistakeably a man of peace. Those great, bier, strong men usually are so. Alexander 111. is certainly one of the biggest—probably one of the (physically) strongest — men in Europe. While he lives he wilX make for peace. But anything happening \\o him would very serionsly alter the situation and prospects in this respect. However, itris felb that Lord Rosebery, although unfortunately lost to the Foreigu Office, where his firm hand was felt all over the world, will still exercise supreme control over England's foreign policy and relations, so that the change is more apparent than substantial. Above all it is a matter for congratulation that Lord Rosebery is emphatically in opposition to the " Little England" section of his party. He is a staunch believer in the British Empire, and in the vast value to the Mother Country of her gigantic colonies beyond the sea. He has more than once publicly declared his amazement at the general ignorance and indiffereace prevailing in England as to those vast British possessions in the Antipodes, whose importance he deems incalculably great. The colonies have a warm admirer and a good friend in the new Premier.

With regard to England's foreignreUtlons, a very favourable impression has been made alike at Home and abroad by a peculiarly able and well-timed speech which Lord Dufferin delivered last Monday at the annual banquet of the British Chamber of Commerce iv Parie. Speaking from his unrivalled knowledge and experience, Lord Dufferin declared his conviction that the hopes of peace were bright and definite. He spoke in high terms of the Czar's disposition toward England, and of the good faith and good feeling which had been displayed by his Majesty on various occasions when Russia could easily have embarrassed Great Britain very seriously, but magnanimously forebore. Turning to France, Lord Dufferin ppoke of the long friendship between that country and England, and ridiculed the idea that two such great and friendly nations could go to war " over a few acres of African swamp or a clump of thatched villages in the tropics." Lord Dufferin referred to the many instances of mutual good understanding which were constantly manifesting themselves a3 between England and France, and spoke warmly of the courtesy, goodwill, and conciliatory spirit which he had met with since his arrival in France in his official capacity. All Europe is ringing with praise of this admirable speech, to which my brief precis does scant justice. It has created just the right impression, and has come at a very useful time ior Lord Rosebery and his Government.

It may be interesting to note in this connection that England at last has really the fastest war vessel —or vessel of any kind— afloat. The new torpedo-boat destroyer Hornet steams twenty-eight kuots an hour —over thirty-two land miles ! Where are your New Zealand trains in comparison? Foreign torpedo-boats cannot well escape the sting of that Hornet. The pity is we have as yet only one of her class. Our other war-ships continue to " bust," go ashore, or get out of order in various ways. One comfort is that foreign ships seem to'do so likewise