The N.Z. Mail PUBLISHED WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1905. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1732, 10 May 1905, Page 45

The N.Z. Mail PUBLISHED WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1905. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Among onr cablegrams this v.'e-ek appear several disquieting statements concerning the relationships of leading European Powers. The continued revolutionary outbursts throughout Russia become a menace to international peace On May day in Poland there were sen ous conflicts between workmen and police. The streets of the capital were crowded with processions displaying red flags, and singing revolutionary songs, when the Uhlans appeared, and scores of these jubilant and demoinstratm people were massacred in cold blood. The peasant movement in Russia is also spreading with great rapidity and tha unhappy country is not only threatened in the Far East, not only in Poland aiv her people in revolt, but in’ Little Russia, in the Caucasus m the south, in Finland in the north, revolution i:smouldering like a volcano, and manifests itself occasionally in fitful out bursts. The Muscovite press is forcefully reminding the Czar that the moment has come for the convocation of the Zemslci Sobor. Ambitious to repaii his rule, the Czar is making indifferent attempts at reform. Fie issues a rescript one day, appointing a Viceroy to pacify the Caucasus, and the next thousands of Russians, fearing a massacre, quit the territory to which the Viceroy has been appointed. It is the Imperial intention, no doubt, to re-organise the Empire, but assurances and promises are of little avail, and good intentions are said to pave the way to the lowest depths. Wliat adds to the seriousness of the condition in Russia, is the virtual collapse' of her military and naval re sources. She is also threatened with financial difficulties, and although spasmodic efforts are being made to re-m----force the troops under Kouropatkin and Linevitch, and a wild-cat movement to acquire South American navies is put forward, it is difficult to imagine how Russia will be able to reinstate herself as a first-class Power in Europe and regain her prestige in the Far East. The troubles that are now distracting the vast area over which the Czar holds sway are not only adding to the difficulties of government in Russia, but they are having their effect upon international relationships, and are already modifying the balance of power. Germany, fearing Russia no longer, is actually cultivating amicable relations with her powerful neighbour on the west. The German Emperor recently dined with the French Ambassador at Berlin, and it is years since such an event in the diplomatic relations of these two countries has taken place. Russia is no longer, and will not be for many years to come, a factor in European politics. She will have so much to do at home that she will lie able to take but little interest in affairs abroad. The French have shown that they desire to live at peace with Germany. They have also established a rapprochement with Italy, and the Anglo-French understanding has been further strengthened by the meetings this week between King Edward and President Loubet. Further, the French people have shown their disinclination to support the Russian war of aggrandisement in the Far East; and, although a section of the German press has tried to minimise the signific-

ance of the Anglo-French entente, yet the German Government realises the weakness of her Eastern neighbour. The Baltic provinces of Russia have virtually become a menace to the peace of Germany, and the leaders of liberalism in flie Kaisers Empire have expressed their indignation at the way in which the Polos, Jews and Finns have been treated by the Russian autocracy. It would not surprise students of European affairs were the German Government to offer a larger measure of self-government to the Poles than they have hitherto enjoyed, and should proceed, in the hour of Russia’s weakness, to absorb the disaffected territory of Poland. Returning to the condition of affairs in the south of Europe, we find that the relations of Bulgaria and Turkey are more than strained, and that conflicts between the Turkish military and the Macedonian peasantry are chronic and continuous. The tension between Turkey and Bulgaria has been increased by military oppression, and the Sultan has announced his intention of crushing the Bulgarian element in Macedonia. “Annihilation,” says a correspondent of the “Times,’’ “seems to be the approved method of procedure,” and it would appear as if the Sultan’s oppressive suzerainty would drive the peasants to desperation. and precipitate an insurrection. Our cablegrams this week intimate that a proposal has been made to transform Bulgaria into an independent kingdom, and the suggestion, although it is contrary to the Treaty of Berlin, will meet with little opposition from the Powers interested. Before, however, the Sick Man of Europe will concede independence, he will let his military forces perpetrate many shocking atrocities throughout his Empire. What adds to the difficulty of his rule, is the disposition of Greeks and Servians to encroach upon the Sultan’s dominions. The European situation is not improved by a dispute now waging between Norway and Sweden. Each country is desirous of electing its own foreign representatives. Norway is distinctly democratic, whereas Sweden lias ever been constitutional and conservative ; so that while the Norwegian Cabinet would make for progress, the voice of Sweden proclaims the dangers involved in any liberalising movement. It is, however, hinted that Russia is at the bottom ol the trouble between Sweden and Norway. Fearing she will be shut out from an ice-free port in the Far East, Russia is seeking to involve Norway in a conflict with her neighbour, m order that she might absorb a portion of her territory, and in that ay ay acquire greater naiml influence in the Baltic and North Seas. Meantime, Great Britain is cultßating the good feelings of her European neighbours and the United States; and what is adding more to the strength of our Empire’s position in these good ’•elationslnps, is the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, which a Russian ncAvspaper bitterly declares is intended to “assure to Japan the fruits of her victory, and to preclude Russia from the hope of a revanche.” At present international relationships are of a distinctly interesting character, and students of what we may call the politics of nations will continue to watch ivitli much concern Avhat may lead up to some important alterations in the map of Europe.