NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14472, 12 September 1910, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

THE YELLOW PERIL.

The late Osca; 11. of Sweden was a man of great diplomacy and farseeing political sagacity. Principally for this reason he was the chosen head of most of the international arbitration councils which took place in Europe during the latter decade or two of his reign, and the diplomatic world of Europe was always eager for his opinions. In the last number of La Revue Diplomatique, Prince Adam Wiszniewski publishes part of a letter, written by King Oscar to him, and dated March 22, 189610ng before the Russo-Japanese war took place—in which the King expresses himself thus:—"l hope to die in peace. My military and warlike inclinations, which were rather strong in my younger years, have gradually died down and have now all but disappeared. But 1 believe that in "the bloody conflict, sure to take place some time, and on the outcome. of which the fate of Europe will probably depend, the Occident will be conquered by the Orient-.-wliere already each day sees the organisation of the strong race of the future and,the preparation for the great • battle. Japan's power of expansion, the energy of her patriotic people, the efficiency of her Government, the brilliant organisation of her military forces

by land and sea, the valour,' and admirable ' patriotism of her soldiers, the capability and decision of her officersall this . has impressed me tremendously. These Asiatic nations who have hitherto been the butt of our contempt must be counted with, and I must confess to a feeling of worry and fear when I Contemplate the dangers to the Western European civilisation, sure to loom up from the coasts of the Pacific. It is tobe hoped that I see things in a far too dismal light, and that the reality of the future will prove to be a brighter one: But at my age one has lost so many illusions." Oscar 11. saw the necessity, of an alliance of the European States, and he held Emperor William 11. to be the man suited for the execution of this plan. In a letter to Prince Wiszniewski, he wrote: —"In a few days I am going to Christiania, there to receive Germany's young Emperor who will mark his place in history as a luminous star shows its brilliancy in the heavens." Prince Wiszniewski adds that the Emperor William has expressed himself in favour, pf the formation of a European alliance.