The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning. Thursday, December 22, 1887. EUROPEAN SITUATION.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 83, 22 December 1887, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday Morning.

Thursday, December 22, 1887. EUROPEAN SITUATION.

Be just and fear not; Let all the ends thou aim’st at be thy country’s, Thy God’s, and truth’s.

The state of affairs in Europe has given cause for a renewed feeling of interest respecting the relations between the Powers. The Triple Alliance has been a stroke of diplomacy with which Russia has had little reason to be content. She has evidently been checkmated in many of her unscrupulous designs, and the feeling of smothered chagrin with which the union was contemplated by Russia was pretty certain to find vent upon the first favorable opportunity. The massing of troops on the Austrian frontier is now a serious question for the Austrian and German military authorities to consider, and the consideration has already induced action on the part of Austria. The explanations made by Russia were ostensibly accepted as satisfactory at the time, and it was decided by the military Conference at Vienna not to take any immediate responsive action, But there is no doubt that Russia’s actions have been closely watched, and tue present attitude is indicative of anything but a feeling of easiness. It is positively stated that the Russian forces massed on the Austrian frontier are three times greater in numbers than tnose main. Mined in a similar position by Austria, and this, together with the article in the Invalide Russe, has naturally had an irritable effect upon the other Powers closely interested. No matter what may be said to the contrary, the article in the Invalide Russe will be set down as having been inspired by the Russian authorities. It is an ominous sign that while for a short lime before the late Conference at Vienna the massing of Russian troops on the frontier was no t continued, late telegrams state that operations have been actively resumed. The Austrians, on the other hand, have now taken responsive action, and it is plain there is a far deeper move than either side care to make known. The action of Austria, however, shows that she has her own scheme to controvert Russian aggression, and when' the time comes will be well prepared for her enemy. The policy of Germany and Austria is believed to be the re-con-stitution of a barrier between Russia and Austria, and that being known in St. Petersburg, the supposition is that they intend to try and prevent it.

The action of Russia in massing troops on the frontier is certain to have the effect of hastening the impending struggle. The time is not quite ripe yet, for the severity of the season would be disastrous on any extensive warlike operations, but the day when the sword will be drawn does no t seem far distant. And perhaps a war of this nature would in the long run be the greatest of blessings. Austria, supported by Germany and Italy, might give the aggressive Muscovite a lesson which is well deserved, and thus ensure an era of unmolested peace. The continuous strain involved in the retention of heavy armaments is too great to be borne by the people, and a solution, even at the cost of a war between two great Powers, will be welcomed. Peace —that is, peace in reality—it seems only too plain, must be purchased at a high price, and if a Russo-Austrian war will be an appreciable step towards the desired end, a conflict a few months sooner than it would take place in the ordinary course would be an advantage rather than otherwise.

THE NAME OF THB BAY. The result of the movement to have the name of the Bay changed could not have been very satisfactory to those who took the lead in the matter, We advised that the matter should be let simmer for a time, as there was nothing to be lost one way or the other by delay, and it was as well to give plenty of time for reflection. But the meeting was held on the spur of the moment, and as .night have been expected, it was anything but a representative one, though it was plain that those against a change had a big majority of those present at the meeting. But even of those presen* there were many quite indifferent to the proposal. It is only natural that those who have lived long in the place should have a prejudice in favor of the old name, and if there were a greater feeling of unanimity it would still take years to have the present title effaced. So far those in favor of a change have altogether the best of the argument, but they showed very little strength when the motion was put to the meeting We are convinced that eventually there will be a change, though it does not matter much whether it comes soon, or is delayed for years.