NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11427, 18 July 1900, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

There is a certain pardonable curiosity extant as to how Her Majesty fares in these democratic times with the domestic servants of the household; but the Lady recently declared that" probably no woman, of however exulted rank, has ever had better servants than Queen Victoria, or has been a better mistress to them. Ii is a very great mistake to suppose that the domestics employed in her various establishments are overpaid and underworked, for the Queen knows what it is to do a good day's work herself, and can very well gauge how much can be done in 12 hours thoroughly, but without hurry. One great secret of the smoothness with which domestic wheels run in all Her .Majesty's homes is that everyone is up betimes in the morning. The Sovereign herself is, and always has been, an early riser: and, of course, everything and everyone must be ready for her. for the Queen has a very sharp eye for dust, and a great love of neatness and order." It has often been observed that the Queen lias a great tenderness for the memory of Charles 1,, King and Martyr, and all that pertained In him. This is evidenced, says the lady, by a quaint sheet in black-letter, that hangs in the great- servants' hall at Windsor Castle, and is headed :—" Twelve good rules found in the study of Charles I. of blessed memory." " Profane no divine ordinances," "Touch no State matters," "Urge no healths." " Pick no quarrels," "Maintain no ill-opinions," "Encoun"je no vice." "Repeat no grievances," ".Reveal no secrets," "Make no comparisons," "Keep no bad company," "Make no long meals," " Lay no wagers." These rales observed will maintain Thy peace and overlestinc sain.

The London Times prints a very impressive communication from its Pekin correspondent on " Russo-Japanese Rivalry in the Far East." That rivalry and its possible consequences, near or remote, is a factor in the situation never to be overlooked. The feeling has long been growing steadily in •Japan that a conflict with Russia is, sooner or later, unavoidable. The situation is not 1 unlike that which brought about the great struggle between Prussia and Austria in 1866. It was then a question who should be master in Germany, is between Russia and Japan it is a question who shall in the end bo master in Corea and the Yellow Sea, not to speak of the ulterior designs of both on tlm central sources of Chinese power. There are those who hold that this conflict of interests and aims would already have broken out in war but for the natural desire of Russia, on the one hand, to avoid precipitating mutters until her position is consolidated, and the reluctance of Japan, on the other, to try her strength against Russia so long as England, to whom she looks for an attitude of friendly neutrality, is preoccupied in ■South Africa. But when two Powers stand thus opposed in tendency, aim, and purpose, it is not always possible for either to choose its own opportunity or to let it pass when it comes. If nothing occurs to precipitate matters, Japan has it in her power to choose her own time for the conflict, and will still retain'that advantage until the local balance of power in the Far East has been materially altered by the consolidation of Russia's position there. If the conflict is really inevitable—as many competent observers believe-Japan will certainly not wait until she has lost the advantage she enjoys at present. She may not even be able to wait until her own preparations are more complete, if the effect of the present disturbances in China should be the attempt by Russia to acquire a strong position in that country.

J -m extensive scheme for the defences of • Franco has been drawn up. Part of the I scheme is supplemental to the laws of 1896 : and 1898, and provides for the construction I of six armoured squadron ships of 14,HMi I tons, five armoured cruisers of 12,600 tons, ! 'to torpedo-boat destroyers of about 305 tons, I 112 torpedo-boats of about 85 tons, and 26 j submarine or " submergible " boats. These vessels represent an approximate outlay of nearly £20.000,000. Another portion provides for the improvement of docks and the establishment of naval Oases, particularly at Bizerte; for the organising of torpedo stations, the enlargement of floating docks for the repair of disabled vessels, etc., '.recreation of vast coaling stations, and two new depots for munitions, and victualling yards. The Bill also provides for proper bases of operation in the western basin of the Mediterranean. The disbursements are thus classified : For home ports, £3,440,000 ; for colonial ports, £1,760,000 : total, £5,200,000. The completion of these improvements will occupy eight years, from 1900 to 1907. A supplementary Bill provides £3.400.000 for 'coast defence. Connected with naval defence is a subsidiary Bill, providing for the establishment of submarine cables to certain colonies with the Home country, and for the extension of colonial telegraphic lines in West Africa. One specified improvement is for an amelioration of the present service in French possessions in Indo-China, now provided by English companies, so that Hue should" be in direct telegraphic communication with some point north of Hongkong.

No further details are to hand of the massacre of Europeans in Pekin, but it is stated that among the victims were Sir Claude MaeDonald, his wife, and two children, and five members of his staff. Three Australians also perished—Dr. George Morrison, a native of Victoria, who has been acting as the Pekin correspondent of the London Times for the last few years, and two South Australian missionaries, the Ri>vs. Allardvce and Russell. It now appears that earlv in June the danger became threatening owing to the sinister threats uttered by the Dowager Empress against Europeans. The crisis was precipitated by the news of the repulse of Admiral Seymour's force. The Chinese then began to massacre native converts, and tho native servants of Europeans, and afterwards attacked the Legations. The Chinese Government, it is said, appeared to be paralysed. Severe lighting has taken place at Tientsin. The Allies, after an engagement which lasted all day, recaptured the citadel in the native quarter of the city, losing, however, 250 men. Tho defenders fought with great determination, and their firing is described as being deadly accurate. ExPresident Steyn is reported to have been imprisoned by Det Wet in consequence of expressing a desire to surrender after the recent defeat of the Free Staters at Bethlehem,