RUMOURS OF WAR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3572, 26 October 1898, Page 2

RUMOURS OF WAR.

EXCITEMENT IN WELLINGTON. COLONIAL DEFENCE PREPARATIONS. ALLEGED WARNINGS TO THE AUTHORITIES. It would aoaroaly be correct to say jdiat a " war scare ” has seized.upon the people of this country, for, as a matter of fact, the knowledge that the fortifications and defencs forces are in an efficient state has given calmness and confidence in most quarters; but nevertheless it is undoubted that last night a considerable amount of excitement prevailed in some Wellington circles in connection with the subject. To some' ’extent, it may be said, this excitement was based upon alarming rumours which may have had no other foundation than that supplied by the fact of the Defence Department showing unwonted activity; but thsra are a number of circumstances that lend colour to the reports that the Government has been warned to prepare for the worst. It has, for example, been learned that the cable authorities have arranged to keep the cable offices open continuously, and it is known that the Premier was during yesterday evening in conference with Colonel Pole Penton and Sir Arthur Douglas, of the Defence Department, while he was also closeted for some time with Mr James Mills, general manager of the Union Steam Ship Company. These conferences njay, of course, have had nothing to do with extraordinary preparations for warlike eventualities ; but their'occurrence is at least worthy of note, on the theory of coincidences, as showing how prone the public is, iu times of excitement, to draw sweeping deductions. Between 6 and 8 o’clock yesterday evening reports spread with lightning rapidity through the city that war had been actually declared between Franca and Great Britain. On being traced to their source these rumours were found to be based upon allegations that the Premier and the French Consul for New Zealand had each received cable messages.

A “ Times ” representative at once placed himself in communication with the Count de Courte, with a view to ascertaining if the statement had any foundation. The French Consul stated positively that he had received “ no cable whatever from Paris,” and be could only surmise that the alarming report had arisen from a remark he might have made that in the event of war being declared he would at once receive intimation by cable. Our representative subsequently saw the Premier and inquired whether he had received any cable of warning that war was imminent. Mr Jjeddon stated that he had got no intimation either from the Secretary of State for the Colonies' or from’ the Agent-General for the colony in London. He felt confident that, if w.ir was as imminent as rumour declared, )i 0 wpuld jiavo received cable dispatches. -Asked as tq the defence preparations that were being pushed on, the Premier said they were not the result of any warning received from the Mother Country, but were simply in pursuance of

the defence schema resolved upon. As a matter of fact, ha had received no communication from the Home authorities since the receipt several months ago ot the report of the Commit tee of Defence m London. The Premier was very emphatic in his assurances that the defences of tee colony, whether as regards 1 urtilieations, men or munitions of war, wore never before in such a satisfactory state as they are at present. Everything is in readiness, and there is therefore not the least ground tor alarm, even though war should suddenly break out. ... The possibility of an outbreak of hostuities between Fiance and Great Britain has a special interest for New Zealanders, because of statements mc.de a tow months ago, when war sec-med_ to ho impending in connection with the Chinese and West African questions. A London correspondent at that wrote : ’ It has been resolved—this I can tell you definitely—that in the event of war between England and any other Power becoming inevitable, England will strike the first blow without a moment’s loss of time, will act promptly and vigorously on the offensive, and will deliver a tremendous attack upon her opponent’s weakest point. On the other hand, it is determined with equal definiteness by certain foreign Powers that directly they find war with this country inevitable they will make a desperate effort to seize Now Zealand, as the key of the Pacific and as a splendid coaling and naval station. So I trust that not only the Government but the people of New Zealand will be ever on the alert as to their defences of all kinds, and never ’ permit themselves to bo caught napping.” The measures now being adopted in connection with the coastal defences, and the inquiries instituted as to vessels that would be available as cruisers and for otter purposes in the event of war. prove that the Defence Department is thoroughly alive to its duty and is leaving nothing undone in the way of preparation for warlike contingencies.