HOME NEWS SUMMARY.

New Zealand Mail, 22 January 1902, Page 62

HOME NEWS SUMMARY.

(From the “Spectator.”) LONDON, Nov. 16, 1901. THE WAR. There is little or no war news to reoord this week, which no doubt points to some movement being in hand in regard to which the military authorities wish to observe complete secrecy. The only facts mentioned in the recent telegrams are the doings of very small bodies of Boer raiders in the Cape Colony, and the withdrawal of several prominent members from the Bond on the ground that the Bond deceived the people. While dealing with the war we may note Lord Selborne’s excellent speech at Leeds on_Xh»rsday. We entixel#—*»gTce with his refusal to yield to any pessimistic forebodings, and heartily endorse his reminder that though we talk of the war as long, it would not have seemed long to our forefathers. What was being tried now, he declared, was the “grit” of the people. Well, we see not the slightest sign of that “grit” failing in the real people, though it may be among the idle classes and the restless rich. But if we ask for “grit” from the people, we must ask it also from the Government, and “grit” there means not a blind and helpless lost-ehild-in-a-fog reliance on experts, but an active, eager prosecution of the great object. “Grit” is not shown in tolerating a defective military policy merely because it is certified “sound” and “the only possible policy” by military experts.

LORD SALISBURY’S SPEECH. In regard to the question of the terms to be gi'anted to the Boers, Lord Salisbury’s words at the Guildhall banquet last Saturday were, in our opinion, satisfactory. Our position was, of course, unchanged. It was the position we had already occupied. “We desire nothing better than to bring back these territories to the blessings which the British Empire has shown, generation after generation, that it is capable of bestowing on the colonies that belong to the Empire. We desire nothing better than that the territories in which war is how raging should enjoy at once, if there were peace, freedom and civil rights, and that within the earliest possible opportunity that the circumstances and conditions of the time will permit they should enjoy those other blessings of self-government which so many of the King’s self-governing colonies enjoy in many parts of the world.” That is the sound policy. South Africa must as soon as possible take her place among the free nations in a free Empire. The Pro-Boers, of course, profess to believe that the Government have no such intention, but mean to set up a permanent tyranny in South Africa. At the same time they talk as if the Boers were at this moment willing to accept the position described by Lord Salisbury. We very much doubt it. The Boers are still haunted by the idea that we mean to adopt the policy of what they call equalising them with the natives—i.e., giving the natives proper security against cruelty and oppression. This is the most vital inspiration of the cry for independence.

FRANCE AND TURKEY. As was expected, the Sultan lias given way. On Tuesday JM. Delcasse read to the French Cabinet a decree signed by Abd-ul-Hamid authorising his Government to pay the sums owing to French subjects in monthly instalments, to recognise all French schools and religious establishments as authorised, and to exempt imports by those establishments from Customs duties. They are also exempted from the Land-tax. All future establishments of the kind, moreover, are also to be recognised and to enjoy the same advantages. Lastly, the Chaldaean Patriarch, who is head of a Catholic body, has been recognised, and his election, which had been refused, is confirmed. Upon receipt of this communication from the Porte, Admiral C'aillard quitted Mitylene for Syra, where his squadron will remain until all formalities have been completed. The Mahommedaus are said to be greatly exasperated, but the foreign colony in Constantinople is exultant, as it perceives that the settlement will be a precedent for the future. Indeed, fourteen claims which had been advanced by Austria in favour of her subjects without success have already been settled satisfactorily. The success of M. Delcasse has greatly improved the internal position of the French Government, as is proved hv the irritation of the Nationalists, who loudly complain that France has run risks, but lias' obtained nothing except promises on paper. It seems clear that M. Delcasse had given informal but binding pledges to all the Powers not to demand any material guarantee from Turkey, and that the Sultan was advised on all hands to yield. The Courts, however, are not entirely pleased, the Germans observing that they do not admit the French pretension to protect Catholics not French subjects, and the Russians be-

ing irritated by tlie increase of French . prestige in Syria, where they are bus- ! ily enlisting friends. The Old Turks, ; again, are greatly excited, the entire transaction being regarded as one more proof of Abd-ul-Hamid’s inability to ; manage affairs. It is difficult, indeed, ! to see in it any evidence of the astuteness with which his Majesty is credit- I ed. There was no sense, if he intended , to yield, in waiting for a demonstra- ! tion. He must have expected aid from some quarter, and have been deceived, i and the first result of the affair will probably be a temporary decline in German influence. William 11. by his ostentatious professions of friendship lias almost ousted the Russians at Constantinople, but at the crucial moment he withdrew his support, and he will not j be readily forgiven. CHINESE AFFAIRS. j Tho Pekin correspondent of the ' “Times” is on a visit to Hankow, and reports that the ridiculous clause in the Treaty forbidding the import of arms is producing the effect which we ventured to predict would follow. The Chinese, who can make anything they really care to have, are working strenuously in their arsenals manufacturing Mauser rifles, quick-firing field guns, and immense stores of ammunition. The skilled Japanese whom they employ are doubtless aiding them, and it is reported that large contracts have been made with foreign firms, the weapons to be delivered, we presume to any Power except China. European manufacturers ’ of arms require nothing except the illusory intervention of some neutral State, say Chili, and to watch such a coast as that of China is practically im- ; possible. When the next crisis arrives ' 1 the Chinese will be found as well armed 1 as ever, while their men will be better drilled, and their generals better select- : ( ed. Moreover, the disappearance of 1 their foolish idea that military service < is discreditable to civilised men will ( greatly increase their readiness to take 1 service, which in many provinces has j been avoided, not through cowardice, i ] but owing to the steady discouragement , ' of the Court, which has been afraid of being governed by the generals. Tho ! great Mandarins now see that good sol- , diers are necessary to safety, and they will obtain them just as readily as they < have obtained classical scholars. In that f ocean of humanity every form of ability . exists, only waiting for the prospect : of good pay. (

RUSSIAN EXPANSION. M. de \\ i'ete, the Russian Chancellor'] of the Exchequer, has officially inform- ] ed the Czar that the "Great Siberian 1 Railway” is complete. This does not mean that permanent regular traffic can ( be opened, two more years of work be- \ ing required for that, but “temporary - traffic can from to-day (November 9th) 1 ; be carried on along the whole system,” , ’ that is, from Moscow to Yladivostock. ' Even this much, ol course, will greatly ’ facilitate the transit of letters, of special officers, and we should suppose, of urgently required troops, the journey being rather slow in its later stages . than actually impeded. The line as yet constructed is nearly five thousand miles long, and with all its imperfections re- j verance both of the Government and the fleets the highest credit on the perse- i engineers. They have gone on steadily for ten years; they have had, says the Czar in liis reply to M. de Witte, to face "incredible difficulties”; and now the end is fully in sight. We have 1 dwelt elsewhere on the great addition ! which the railway makes to Russian power in the Far East: but after all, ■ that is hardly so striking as the revela- j tion the work affords of Russian strength * of will. i

DUELLING IN GERMANY. In Germany, it would appear, duelling is regarded as a great rite, to be reverenced even by disbelievers. A young Prussian officer named Blaskowitz gave on the day before his wedding a farewell bachelor party to his com- ; rades. On his way home the wine lie 1 had taken overcame him, and he leaned ■ against a wall for support. There two brother-officers found him and endea- ' voured to assist him; but lie flung his j arms about wildly and resisted. Next ; day he had forgotten the occurrence, } and when reminded of it by a challenge ! he offered an ample apology, which, It 1 is said, his comrades were willing to I accept. A Court of Honour was, how-

. ever, summoned, and after a long debate i decided that Lieutenant Blaskonitz ! must fight or leave the Army. His friends advised the latter course; bu i the Lieutenant was a keen soldier, lie ; decided to fight, and was killed—a sac- ! rifice not to a false notion of honour, for honour could not be involved, but ! to the system which in Germany makes ; of duelling a deity whose claim to las I victims must be honoured even by the ' unwilling. The incident, we are happy to see, has stung public opinion even in Germany, but there will be no change in the system till the relatives of anyone who falls or is severely wounded in a duel have a right to claim exemplary damages. It is a bourgeois remedy, but it would be an effectual one.

| AMERICA’S GOOD BEHAVIOUR. j Senator Lodge, a close friend of Pre- | sident Roosevelt, made last Saturday ' at Boston a very important speech. After defending reciprocity, and especially reciprocity with France, “a country with which we would fam strengthen our good relations,” he observed that in his opinion America would in the next session of Congress have a treaty with England “which will remove honourably whatever obstacles now exist in the Claytou-Bulwer Treaty to the building of an Isthmian canal.” The object of the Government was to maintain good relations with the world.- and there was only one point of danger. “The Monroe doctrine must be rigidly upheld. The entrance of any great European Power into the American hemisphere, either by the acquisition of territory or by the establishment of forts or naval stations, would be an instant menace to that peace we are so anxious to maintain.” Europe is, in fact, forbidden to acquire even' a coaling station in either of the Americas. As both Great Britain and France already have possessions in America, this can refer only to Germany or Austria, and, indeed, as Austria seeks neither colonies nor transmarine stations, to Germany alone. The warning is to her, and will help to stimulate the Emperor’s plans for creating a great fleet.

A NEW INDIAN PROVINCE. The new Indian Frontier Province created by Lord Curzon was opened last Saturday with great military display. All native chiefs and notables were assembled. and Colonel Deane, the first Chief Commissioner, made them a speech specially exhorting them to give up their jealousies. He said the principles of law by which the Province is to be governed will remain unaltered, but it appears that the Province is to be administered in the old “non-regula-tion” way, under which the individual will and capacity of the administering officers have much freer play. This has roused once more an old controversy in India, where a section of the governing Service has always maintained that a regime of strict law works better than a system which must depend upon individual capacity and zeal. We believe it does if the first object of government is to let wealth grow, but if the reconciliation of subject and ruler is paramount it does not. The regime of pure law is too rigid, and seems to the Indian too “leaden.” It is, of course, impossible to apply the “non-regula-tion” system to an Empire, because we never could find the men, who must he carefully picked, but ill wild frontier provinces it is far the most efficient. The Commissioner can bend his system to suit circumstances, and even individuals, the people like it better, and i the officers who work it grow prouder ; of themselves and of their work.

| KING EDWARD’S BIRTHDAY. | On Saturady last, the King’s first , birthday since his accession, it was announced that lie had been pleased to confer on the Duke of York the title of Prince of Wales. The bestowal of this ; dignity, merged in the Crown since the j death of Queen Victoria, forms a iitjting recognition of the services rendered to the Empire by the Duke and ; Duchess of York in their recent tour, while it restores to active significance a title long associated with the status jof the Heir to the Throne. The Birtli- ; day honour list otherwise offers no special occasion for criticism or surprise. 1 Sir Harry Johnston, one of the most ; accomplished and romantic of our Pro- ; consuls, gets a G.C.M.G.. and Mr Clinj ton Dawkins’s services in India and I Egypt, and as chairman of the War Oltico Reorganisation Committee, are not extravagantly rewarded by a Companionship of the Bath. A baronetcy lias been conferred on the outgoing Lord Mayor, and the other recipients of honours are mainly drawn from the ranks of the Civil Service and diplomacy.

THE LIBERAL PARTY. Sir Edward Grey, who made three short speeches at Liverpool on Wednesday, dealt chiefly with tho question of party unity and the conduct of tho war. Unity, lie had no doubt, would come, but it was.not to bo brought about by compromising, their especially 01 ie i fl ues tion of the war. For himself, he preferred to stand where he was, and ho “refused to be swept off the Liberal platform either by the bludgeons of tho other side or the

brooms of lus own < -i(D» rr. ~ '■ tlie war. lie declared his full *1 m Lord Kitchener as the the place, and denounced as A; 13 ? filthy lie” tire charges made a &| m the Continental Press of 1“ -°? 51 tablished the concentration carm *1 exterminate the Boers. Fi™ PS ! ! 1 welcomed Lord Rosebery on his ’ ing an active part in Liberal life ‘ItI tner he put his view into the Lt®’l stock or ploughed a lonely wA? I would „„t bo long i„ joining witn linn. The truth wasfc political crews could not b? , from the bank If a man was real* help m national affairs, he musl - oar in the boat. What the party wanted was not occasional advir! but persistent action and effort” 1 SIR REDYERS SELLER AGYrv We must note, though most reins. iantly, one other -point in Sir Edwardi Grey s .speecli-tliat dealing with Shi Redvers Buller’s speech. Sir I*3l Grey says ironically that when s; I Redvers Buller was attacked “he com! I nutted the heinous offence of defend!.. I himself.” Sir Edward Grey has aft f shown himself so scrupulously fust N 1 fair-minded in all his public utterance I that we feel sure that nothing but if lapse of memory can have made UI use language which conveys the fcj. I pression that Sir Redvers Buller inerelj I defended himself. If he had done s s f however hard lie had hit us and ths 8 other newspapers who had adverse!; I criticised his appointment, we should 1 of course, have no word of complaint I Sir Edward Grey has evidently forgot-1 ten the astonishing nonsense that Sir I Redvers Buller talked about the into-1 national spy or detective who viaitll him, and the absurd innuendoes coif nected in some incomprehensible K;i with the international spy, in regaiil to a conspiracy to drive General Built® from his post somehow concocted bytifi “Spectator” and other newspaper* Either Sir Redvers Buller’s story rilf the spy and his warnings and the ‘jj-l incidence” of newspaper attacks oaia l meant nothing, or it meant to sgsf 1 a conspiracy. The Government amid 1 not have retained General Bullet ii E his command without tacitly endoiaig | the story of the spy and the conspiracy I It is to avoid dilemmas of tins kid I that the military servants of the Gd- I vermnent are so strictly forbidden t) I deal with subjects of public controversy J in regard to their profession. Otherwise Government would be constant!; liable either to support or repudiate an; j number of wild speeches. According!; after such a - speech as that by General Buller the Government had, it seems to us, no choice but to demand his resignation, or boldly to defend the speech, spy and all. We greatly regret that Sir Edward Grey should have dealt with the subject, and so challenged fresli controversy. Surely it would be much better for Sir Redvers Boiler's friends to let the matter now rest. 11 the question of the speech is to be seriously pressed, the first result must be a demand on General Buller as a man of honour either to substantiate and make clear and definite his vague innuendoes in regard to the spy and tin conspiracy, Or else frankly to withfe them.