THE FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE EMPIRE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4264, 25 January 1901, Page 4

THE FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE EMPIRE

In the message forwarded by the New Zealand Premier do his colleagues, the death of her late Most Gracious Majesty was described as a loss to the world. This view will be universally accepted, for it has been long recognised both at Home and abroad that the personality of the Empress Queen was a strong ‘'actor in the international politics of the world. The recognition was formally made by the press of Europe at the time of the Jubilee celebration in 1887, and it was renewed ten years later during the Diamond Jubilee festivities which revealed the unity of the British Empire with absolutely convincing completeness. Now that this personality is removed, men are naturally beginning to ask what the consequences may be. There are those who think that possibly, the chances of European war may be largely increased. The wisdom of the Foreign Office - of Great Britain has been conspicuous throughout at least the latter half of the long and brilliant reign that has just ended. This, of course, is an assertion which must be taken broadly, for the two political parties which alternately held the reins of power during that time differed in their policies, and theoretically, under the limited monarchy they served, each was in turn master of the situation. Some of the things done have been regretted, and in certain cases that regret has not yet passed away. But it was long the commonplace of both parties tnat those i t the head of the Foreign Office had no counsellor so wise and so capable as rhe Queen herself. In combination with a character essentially and beautifully feminine, she possessed mental abilities of a masculine order, and experience had given her a grasp of affairs historical and diplomatic superior to anything in the record, of the whole body «of her

responsible advisers. This vast advantage was, owing to her exquisite tact, thorough familiarity with constitutional principle, and systematic attention to public* business, ever at the command, of her advisers, in the right way. Tims by shetr superiority she ruled m reality, by sheer superiority she ruled in reality, supposed only to rule in obedience to suggestions from her advisers. The honour of the Empire was her first consideration ; the peace of the world came vtry near to it in her heart; and in vha combined spirit of Abo two her great qualities made her, as was often said, the best of Foreign Ministers.

With the two most powerful Courts of the European Continent, Germany cud Russia, the Empress Queen exeicised another influence. The Kaisei was her grandson, the Czar Alexander HI. was married to a sister of the Prince of Wales, the Czar Nicholas is the husband of one of the Queen's granddaughters. These relationships in thenselves might have counted for nothing. But Queen Victoria was a groat personage in her family relations, as she was in the Foreign Office of Groat Britain;, and as groat for the same reasons, viz , her high character, her experienced wisdom. and her many personal qualities. The reverence in which she was held by the Kaiser was shown hut yesterday, when he .fbanddued the national celebrations at Berlin and hurried lo the bedside at Osborne. It was also shown

a few years ago more limn once on occasions which would liaie tried a weaker spirit, of kinship. Alexander 111., whoso predominating note of policy wavs peaee, found in the great Queen a firm and sympathetic sustamer, and there was at least one moment in the history of Europe v.’Siou it- was well that it was so. Nicholas 11. succeeded to this parental tradition, and Europe lias not forgotten how ho signalised the opening of his reign by a visit to the English Queen — a visit followed by a perceptible alteration for the better in the relations between their Empires. In other countries there was not this family influence. But the French nation never forgot its respect for the Queen who had forwarded the peace of the world by recognising the Second Empire at a critical moment, and preserved it, later on, at a moment still more critical when that Empire had fallen. All Europe recognised her benign, influence, and moreover always paid her the respect which armed men have for women in momenta when the clash of arms is imminent. Their behaviour lends colour to the . theory that a female sovereign at the head of sv powerful Empire must be, provided the sovereign qualities are present, always a special factor in preserving the peace of the world. Elizabeth, our other great Queen, had not that advantage. But the times were not the same. Men were, then more prone to fighting, and there were causes of war which modern progress has chained up for ever. There was also, it must bo said, a difference in the two women, Elizabeth being without tho womanly tenderness which was the great charm of lier illustrious successor’s clmractcr. Tho King who now reigns is of course without tho last of the causes of his predecessor’s power. He has, however, the advantage of her example, and of long communion with her, and familiarity with her methods. But whether he will succeed to her high place among the rulers of nations is a matter rather for hopeful anticipation than for dogmatic assertion.