INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1751, 27 September 1905, Page 24

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.

CURRENT COMMENT. GERMANY IN SOUTH-WEST AFRICA. German troubles in South-West Africa are apparently as far off the end as ever, and if anything could teach the German Government modesty it should be the inability of its forces to cope with the Hereros. General von Trotha has 15,000 men under his command, and 5000 more are being sent out. It is estimated that the campaign has already cost seme £15,000,000, and probably £520,000,000 would be. nearer the mark. The suggestion that Germany has some sinister plot in process of development, and is interfering with the Boer© in order to do harm, to British interests, is an absurd outcome of Germanophobia. The Kaiser would not sacrifice the lives and treasure of his people and face so much irritation at home for an object so little likely to result in profit. Nor is it only in South-V/est Africa that Germany has difficulties. It is now reported that disturbances! have, broken out in her territory on the East, and there is every prospect that a new campaign will have to he undertaken. Germany is beginning to understand some of the delights and responsibilities of colonial enterprise.—“Ptiblic Opinion.” ANGBOFRENGH FRIENDSHIP. The profound rejoicing which this whole nation feels at these scenes of fraternity and rejoicing marks something far deeper than the sense of the removal of the menace of war. Those who love France—and all civilisation is her lover—are welcoming an understanding with a people who stand foremost in the progress towards that desirable life which one day shall crown the effort of all the centuries. It is Fiance which to-day dhows the world some glimpse© of the meaning of a devotion, honour, and widespread enjoyment of tranquillity and secure life amongst the masses of her people. It is in this high-souled and chivalrous nation that the Revolution is consummating its courses in an ideal of democracy and equal justice, which, if progress is woi’th anything at all, the whole Western races must ultimately strive to attain. No nation has sacrificed so much for the ideal, and to no nation, when the long courses of history are reckoned, will the world acknowledge so deep a debt of gratitude. With congratulations on their high position and prosperity, and an ardent hope that the years will but bring increasing friendliness and understanding, we welcome our guests to- these shores. —“Daily News.” THE PORTSMOUTH FETES. These Portsmouth fetes, following hard upon the fetes of Brest, are an

historical event of real significance. This fraternal contact between two fleets which had so long appeared to menace one another, offers aspect© of grandeur that strike not only the two nations amies, but all civilised peoples as well. . . . When the guns of the British and French battleships thundered together in honour of peace they marked the close of' an era of difficulties, of diplomatic Litigation, and of constantly impending complications. King Edward’s toast admirably marked the real character of this fete—namely, a fete of concord and cordial understanding, and M. Gambon’s reply paid just homage to the personal part played by the Monarch in this necessary reconciliation. . . . Over and above their own peace, Franc© and England long for, they have aimed at, international pacification. It is not in order to form a. coalition of offensive forces that two. of the most Biberal nations in the world have associated their genius and allied their civilisations. It is to remove the possibility in the future of an almost secular quarrel which compromised European progress. No. Power can take umbrage a,t their union now so magnificently proclaimed. All peoples by reflecting on the difficulties that France and Eingland have had to overcome in order to arrive at their present relations will feel in turn incited to efface l other differences.—“Be Petit Parisien. - ’’ GERMAN ANGROPHOBLA. In competent financial and comivencial circles animosity against England in connection with the intended British naval demonstrations in the Baltic is but little, if at all, in evidence, but its virulence among the younger members of the educated classes, among the officials and teachers, and among the junior officers and others more than compensates for its absence elsewhere. In every place vhere a number of people come together the bitterest language is used with regard to Eingland, and more than one observer has been struck by tih© fact that the Morocco question did net arouse feeling against France in an even remotely equivalent degree.— “Kolnische Yolkszeitung.”

The “Reichshot©,” the organ of th© German Rutheran Church, which has acquired notoriety £>y its recent article on the “closing of the Baltic,” published on Aug. 6 an article, entitled “The True National Feeling,” in which the probability of war with England is discussed with remarkable fulness and freedom. This article, we are informed, “is written by a man who for a long time past has occupied, and still occupies, a special position in the defensive service. It reflects better than the carefullytrimmed communiques which are foisted upon us as public opinion the true feelings of the nation and of what is best in the nation. The article was sent to us with an expressed appreciation of the attitude taken up by the “Reichsbote” on the Baltic question.” The writer maintains that the situation is exceedingly serious, as, apparently, England is bent on crushing her rival Germany. He bids Eingland remember that Germany, even though defeated, would inflict serious loss on her victor, and then the United States would easily secure for ever the position of first naval Power. Furthermore, a war with Germany would he the signal for trouble in India, Afghanistan, Persia, Egypt, and Central Africa. “Does England imagine that she would secure allies. . . . On the day of the outbreak of hostilities with Eingland, France must have concluded a defensive and offensive alliance with us, or she is our enemy in this struggle. There is no neutrality. England can but annihilate the entire German Fleet. She cannot land an army on Continent. So we would have to deal with the French Army alone, for- Russia can hardly -lend assistance. The ultimate sufferer will he France, for Germany will wreak on France vengeance for what, she suffers at England’s hands. Not provocation must now be our policy, but serious resolve. War is certainly very terrible, but there a~e worse things; and then, do we not fight in a good cause for the defence of ou»* hearths, our country, our honour, and will not the good God be with us and aid ns in our just cause? Bet us employ the time by sharpening our weapons on land and on sea, and may Germany possess a strong, united, Gcd-fearing people, ready at any mon ent to respond gladly to the summons of its Kaiser to the defence of our beloved Fatherland.”