BRITISH AND EUROPEAN SUMMARY

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1746, 23 August 1905, Page 23

BRITISH AND EUROPEAN SUMMARY

THE SAFEGUARD OF FRANCE.

. The “Echo de Paris” of June 23, .published -a remarkable article on the relations of France, England, and Germany from the pen of M. Delafosse, a well-known and -highly respected member of the Conservative Opposition. M. Delafosse, adhering to the view he expressed in the Chamber • two months ago, regards Morocco as a pretext, the real aim of German policy being the destruction of the rapprochement between Franc© and England. Differing, therefore, from the German publicists, who allow France no alternative but an alliance with Germany, he holds that a defensive alliance with England would be of value to her both in war -and in peaoe. In the event of war, England could not only destroy the German Fleet, but paralyse Germany’s industrial and commercial activity by blockade and compel surrender by the menace of -famine.*3s “Germany would be compelled in . a few weeks to ask for mercy,* and it would be France, even if herself defeated, who on joint account with victorious England would dictate peace.” It was precisely because the chances were such in the event of war, continued M.-. Delafosse, that Germany would not run the risk, and this was why an alliance with Great Britain was for France the best safeguard of peace. In conclusion, he repudiates the insinuation that England has been trying to “use’- France, contending, that what enables France to count on England is England’s own interest, —viz., to prevent the annihilation of I ranee, the necessary counterpoise to the power of Germany, and the “obligatory antagonist” of tihe monstrous expansion of the Germany of Pan-Germanism. THE CZAR’S NERVOUS CONDITION. From a special source, which we are naturally not able to indicate (says “Public Opinion”) we have received information which goes to prove the truth of the reports as to the Czar s complete breakdown under the stress of domestic disorder and Imperial disaster. His mental state to-day is very much what it was inaccurately said to be before the war. He has now become a victim to his nerves; he trusts no one, not even himself, and his decisions and indecisions are both excused by him on the ground that his account now is with God alone. That revolution must come is the belief .of many who have had the opportunity recently of witnessing the condition of things prevailing alike in the Palace and throughout the country. When it comes the opinion of those in _a position to know is that the Finns, the Poles, the Georgians, and the powerful Central Asian tribes will seek to throw off the Russian yoke. _ In that event the limits of Russia will, in the near future he sharply contracted, not only in the Far East, but to the SouthWest, and North-West as well. There is no suggestion that Russia, will become a Republic: that is politically unthinkable. ALIENS —WEST END AND EAST END. Dr Hutchinson, speaking on the Aliens Bill in the House of Commons on June 26 said: —“There were aliens in the West-End as well as in the EiastEind. Take the case of a man who came to London for a nights pleasure, to see what was going on here. At a West-End hotel he was received by a cashier who was a Frenchman, shown to the lift by a German, and a Swiss took him to his room and carried his luggage. He ordered his dinnei fiom a French maitre d’hote 1, he was served by a German, and the food was cooked by a French chef. Afterwards he entered a motor-car driven by a French chauffeur, and he visited the Ita.ian opera. The overture at the opera was played by a foreign band, and the only man who looked like an Englishman was the player of the triangle. After the opera his supper was served in an

Italian restaurant, and he went home

after smoking a Turkish cigarette. On his way home he was accosted by French, Austrian, and German dernimondaines. This Bill would not keep out any one of these classes. The East-End alien served the poor by making cheaper clothes and boots; the West-End aliens-catered for the pleasures of the 'rich ; therefore they heard, nothing in these debates about the West-End alien. It was a mere ‘shopwindow’ measure.” FRANCE AND THE. “YELLOW PERIL.” The “Revue Diplomatique” declares that the effect of the war has been to foster a spirit of insolence towards their rulers on the part of the natives of the French colonies in the Far East, more especially amongst the ‘Tonkinese and the Annamese. “It is asserted that Japan maintains numerous agents in French colonies, whos duty it is to inform the Tokio Government of the strength of the French forces and defences, and. above all, to incite the minds of the natives against the idea of European domination. This mission, unfortunately, is only too easily fulfilled, owing to the Japanese victories over Russia —victories which have destroyed throughout Asia the prestige of the 'Western nations. At. the present moment France, in the eyes of the yellow race, typifies power and superiority; and it is through this idea alone that we are able with a handful of troops to dominate a vast territory. The Annamite submits to our authority because he believes us to be the stronger. o*n the day that he awakens to the possibility of driving the French from his native country our situation will become dangerous. If that day has not already arrived it appears to us to be near at hand. The defeats suffered by Russia are so many warnings to all European nations having possessions or interests in the. Far East.” FRENCH DISESTABLISHMENT - BILL. The “Christian World” says:— “Though M. Oombes has deen ousted from office, his Bill for the separation of Church and State has survived. After long disoussaoh in detail, it was finally passed in the Chamber of Deputies on June 26, by a majority of 103—341 votes to 233. The main principle of the original Bill stands, though in details it has been modified So as to give more generous terms to the Church. On the whole, the Roman Catholic leaders accept the Bill as equitable, and look forward to the new liberty of the Ohur.ch. The Bill baa now to be considered in the Senate, which is expected to get through its discussion with expedition. The Bill will probably become law with the New— Year.” THE SCOTS CHURCHES BELL. The “Morning Post” says: —“No pronounced antagonism to the second reading of the Scottish 'Churches Bill was shown in the House of Commons. The Loid Advocate was able to make certain explanations, and to give some assurances which removed the objections which had been; taken to the measure as originally introduced. It is proposed, for instance, to go back to the state of things in 1960 —the year of union with the United Presbyterian Church —in order to find an equitable basis for the allocation of property between the two sections into which the Free Church, as it existed in the early .panfc of “that year, .is now dividedTirat ,proposal met with very general approval, although there was a tendency to challenge the consequential suggestion that the number entitling the Free Church tc congregational property shall be reduced ’from onethird to one-fourth. . . . A certain amount of hardship is inevitable, but it must fall on those who have lost legal rights by their own voluntary action. It is satisfactory to find, however, from the statements made by the Lord Advocate that there is no sub- . stantial ground for the fears expressed in tiie memorandum of the United Free Church Advisory Cbm mitt ee as to possible alienation of all existing funds for the benefit of the minority. The general desire is to deal by all the interests concerned. . . The one point on which the Opposition remain obdurate is that which deals with the formula of subscription to the Confession of Faith by _ministers of tbe Established Church. Sir Henry Camp-bell-Bannerman described the clause that deals with this matter as an ‘undesirable alien’ which had been allowed to find a place in an otherwise necessary and desirable measure. Yet the clause is for a simple act of justice to a very large section of the Soots people who have unanimously asked for relief from an ancient and objectionable

form of words. . . - The Soots Established Church can plead the relief granted many years ago to the English Church as a precedent for what it asks, and the only ground on which the fifth section can be rejected is that of hostility to the principle of establishment. It ought to be pressed resolutely by the Government, for otherwise justice null be done to one set of Presbyterians and refused to another.