THE FUTURE OF EUROPE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14081, 8 June 1909, Page 5

THE FUTURE OF EUROPE.

A DEPLORABLE CONDITION.

RELAPSING INTO BARBARISM.

LORD ROSEBERY'S SPEECH. By Telegraph.— Association—Copyright. London, June 6. Lord Rosebery, in the course of his speech at the banquet given on Saturday night in honour of the delegates to the Imperial Press Conference, remarked that he was astonished at the virility of Australia in sustaining seven legislatures. .. Referring to South Africa, he said this was the greatest modern success in empire-building; but the Federation should avoid Uganda lest it disturb the privacy of cxPresidcnt Roosevelt. (Laughter.) •Finally, after a tribute to Mr. Henniker Heaton's activity, Lord Rosebery, altering his mood, described with extraordinary impressiveness the state of Europe as a surface calm, "' covering its overpowering preparation for war. He added that Britain was determined to spend, if need be, her last shilling on Dreadnoughts. He was not sure that even that was enough. "Possibly," he continued,, "it .will be your duty to carry to the dominions a message of the same personal duty. . The responsibility of defence rests upon every citizen, and I wish to emphasise the deplorable condition of Europe, which is relapsjng into barbarism. Pressure is being put upon this little England to defend itself, its liberties, and yours. Take this message also back : 'The Old Country is right at heart; there is no failing, no weakness, in her. She rejoices in renewing her youth in her giant dominions beyond the seas. For her own salvation she must look to herself, and that failing she will look to you.' " (Received June 7. 10.20 p.m.) London, June 7. The Government and Opposition newspapers insist that Lord Rosebery's great effort was a tour de force. The Daily Mail says that the speech is an inspiration to broader patriotism, and should hasten the day when the tax on knowledge within the Empire will be reduced s and cables, which are the veins and arteries of the Empire, will flow free and unfettered. The Radical newspapers comment on the passage in which Lord Rosebery suggested that the unprecedented warlike preparations might lead Europe back to barbarism or cause a catastrophe, at which the working men would cry out, "We will have no more of this madness and foolery which is grinding us down."