Peace or War ?

Evening Star, Issue 7634, 9 June 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

Peace or War ?

The St. Petersburg correspondent of the < Sydney Morning Herald,’ writing under date March 26, says The opinion that Frederick Wilhelm is a friend of Russia as well as a friend of peace, and a strong adversary of Bismarck’s politics, is firmly rooted in every Russian mind. The idea may be, and most likely is, erroneous, but it has become a fixed idea, consequently the advent to the throne of Frederick Wilhelm is considered as a most auspicious event, and hope that peace with Germany will be preserved is arising even among the pessimists. It is generally thought here that though in his manifesto the Emperor declares himself to be in sympathy with the politics followed by his father and Bismarck, he is in reality a lover of peace and an enemy to that militarism which strains every nerve to increase the power of the German nation. It is difficult to understand upon what foundation the Russians now erect their fine air castles, for, to consider the question soberly, if Germany were willing to countenance Russia’s plans, the ties t v at bind the present Emperor to England make him solidary with the interests of that country, which fact would be sufficient to paralyse all Katkoff and Skobeloff-like projects. Moreover, supposing the Emperor resolved at all price to preserve peace, should observe a sort of apparent neutrality in case war begins between Austria and Russia, every child knows what the worth of such a neutrality would be as long as Bismarck reigns in Germany. As to the Austrian Press, its disappointment and rage at the turn things have taken have foum cxpu'ssion in articles which surpass in cynicism all that has yet been poured forth by hatred. Some of those articles arc insults to the Emperor of Germany, who is actually grudged the return of strength and health that has enabled him to take the reins of government into his hands. These organs break out against Russia for evincing a too enthusiastic admiration for the new Emperor and the noble acts by which he commenced his reign. They imply that the triumph of “ the Muscovites” will be short, that the interregnum in Germany will be but the calm before the storm. The ‘Novoi Vremia’ answers these articles with much dignity.