POLITICAL AFFAIRS IN EUROPE.

Evening Star, Issue 8118, 18 January 1890, Page 3 (Supplement)

POLITICAL AFFAIRS IN EUROPE.

TO THE EDITOB,

Sir, A most astonishing affair in the political world has happened lately—namely, a paltry Power like Portugal defying England in African matters. How this small king dom can do so, except it has the moral or even actual support of other great Powers—such as France or Germany I think no student of political affairs can understand ; and this question the political heads of Europe have to decide, as our local opinion can be of no value. It appeals, according to the late German papers, that the English Government—or the English merchants—although for yeats connected with the African trade, have not made the best use of their previous position, and consequently have lost ground. Now they object to the advance ment of German and other foreign interests in Africa, Large companies havebeen established in Hamburg, Bremen, and other German ports for trading between Africa and Germany, under the specific patronage and protection of the Imperial German Government, and It stands to reason that the German merchants will have their full share of the African trade, whether England likes it or not. No. doubt Germany has made many sacrifices in money and valuable human lives, of the scientific explorers of the formerly dark continent. But John Bull and the British Lion are not bread yet; and whatever the popujav feeling at Lisbon may be» Portugal must submit to the dictation of England, If We look at Europe, political affairs look healthy enough for the maintenance of the blessings of peace, bat every day may make al&iost a serious change. All the Powers are armed tothe greatest exteni, and the firebrand of war may suddenly come when least expected by we Antipodeans. I need not say that « is always the serious duty of theAustralian Governments to see the colonies properly protected. Perhaps Admiral Lore? Scott will assure ua that we in Dunedin can sleep quietly, as his navy will always protect us.

Much regard has lately been paid in the English Press about the semi - warlike speeches of the young German Emperor. He seems on several occasions lately to have repeated to the generals and officers hia former saying: "We Germans only fesr God, and nobody else in the world. We areaow in peace, but must be prepared for war." His old trusty servant, Prince Bismarck, seems to be annoyed about those oft - repeated sentences, as not being warranted by the present pacific position of Europe.' However, the young potentate greatly admires a good dinner, and also good wine and beer, so, that perhaps his after-dinner speeches may not account for much in a political sense. There is da doubt that he ia a young man of great a.nbition, and much inclined to follow the examplo of his ancestor Frederick 11, (called in history Frederick the Great) as n warrior and conqueror. "But no doubts hia Ministers and the German Parliament in their wisdom will prevent him from getting Germany into political difficulties merely for the sake of gratifying his own ambition. Th» other impartant consideration for the Emperor ia that the flower of the Landwehr —.will fight for the Fatherland as they did with such credit in the Franco-German War of 1870 ; but these brave men will not leave their homes, wife, and children audi business occupation merely to fight for the possible ambition of their Emperor. I have been in active war myself,, and know the great nasfortune it causes to all parties, eithes- victors or defeated, and can therefore, express my humble and sincere: wish, that in our time we may not see such a eursato.humanity.—l am, etc., J.H.. ])nnedin> January 17.