The Ensign. GORE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16. BRITAIN AS GODMOTHER.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1291, 16 February 1904, Page 2

The Ensign. GORE: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16. BRITAIN AS GODMOTHER.

Britain's close relationship with, •Japan in connection with affairs in the Far East has induced the .search by Home journals among treaties ancient and modern. Theresuft of these inquiries is particularly interesting, indicating, as it does thai, England in concerned in almost every petty squabble or serious embroglio likely) to arise between two or more countries outside of her own dominions. It is not generally known that Britain is. bound to come to the aid of Prussia in the event of Saxony becoming belligerent and attempting to win back territory once belonging to her. This position is brought, about by the Treaty of Vienna concluded in I*ls under the provisions of which, Britain with other Power.-, guaranteed to Prussia the northern half of Saxony and oilier territories. England has also guaranteed the integrity of Turkey, her protection added to that of other Powers proving an almost insurmountable obstacle to reducing the Ottoman Empire to a sense of regret for its colossal barbarities in Macedonia and Ayuenia during later years. Tile protection secured by an agreement' between the Powers concerned dates back to I WO, but in IS7S by the Treaty of Berlin England putsued the matter to a further extent by declaring, inter alia, '• if any attempt shall be made by Russia to take any further possession of territories belonging to the Sultan m Asia, Britain'will join the Sultan n\ defending them by force of arms." It will thus be realised that distrust of Uussia is an active sentiment is all hereditary possession handed down from generation to generation, and is likely to be cherished on our part for all time. In 1839 England and four other Powers joined in a mutual decision to guarantee air.l recognise the neutrality and independence of Belgium, which up to that time had been joined to Holland .against her will. The historian of the day points out that the sponsorship was partly the outcome of selfishness on our part, it being an accepted theory that any Power in possession of Belgium could easily invade Britain in i<7l>. when the Franco-Prussian war was raging, it appeared possible thai either eontending nation might seize Belgium to facilitate its military operations. England rose promptly to the occasion, and Parliament voted a large sum of money for an army to be in readiness to join either France or Germany in resisting any attempt upon the integrity of Belgium. This determined attitude had an immediate effect in compelling both the fighting Powers to sign a treaty with England recognising former obligations in that regard. A contemporary writer reviewing this same subject sadly reflects : " Belgium to this day is indebted to us for her preservation and future protection from enemies. And she has rewarded us in our hour of trouble by harboring Dr. Leyds and the enemies of our cause, cheering Major Lothaire for the sole reason that he dared to murder an Englishman, and., by her Press utterances, never losing au opportunity of insulting her godmother. But there is very little gratitude in international polities." Another incident of thq Franco-Prussian war nearly proved the cause of England's becoming embroiled in the- struggle. I n IS(>7 Britain guaranteed the neutrality of Luxembourg. In 1870 Bismarck intimated that as French troops had marched through the Duchy he could not continue to observe the. neutrality. Once more with courageous 1 promptitude Britain faced the situation unflinching* lv. A peremptory note was sent to France and Germany demanding thq neutrality of Luxembourg, and this was readily conceded by both parties. Greece has also been brought under the overshadowing wing of England's might, the treaty dating back to 18.'i2. Norway and Sweden arc included in Britain's numerous family of godchildren. In this connection Russia is again the menace sought to be minimised. One clause of the treaty provides : " The King of Norway and Sweden binds himself not to cede to Russia any territory, fishing right, pasturage, or any right whatever." Tn the event of any such demand being made by the. Oar o' his representatives. Britain and France are sworn to go to the assistance of the ants of the ancient Vikings.. Switzerland also comes within the category of our national '' encumbrances." The alliance between -Britain and Portugal is probably the oldest of any which our nation entered into, dating back as it does to 1373, at which time it was solemn' 1 / determined between the two Powers that they should be " friends to friends, enemies to enemies, who shall assist, maintain, and uphold each other by sea and land against, all men that may live or die, of whatever dignity, rank, station, or condition they may be." This, it is affirmed by a subsequent treaty signed in 13RG, " shall be inviolate, and endure for over, a solid and real league of amity, confederacy and union." Further treaties between

Britain and Portugal were concluded in 1642, 1654, 1630, 1641, and 1703, the terms of each binding the contracting parties together in the strongest! bonds of mutual interest, and for mutual protection against the rest of the civilised world. Britain's obligations to Japan during, the present war may demand her active interference. As the history of her pant treaty actions has shown she is an uncompromising respecter of promises given, and should necessity arise for her aiding Japan H may be taken for granted that her assistance will be of a nature quite in accord with ancient traditions, and of a quality likely to prove to the overlasting advantage of th(> Power enlisting her practical sympathy.