Oxford and Cust Observer. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY, December 14, 1889;

Oxford Observer, Volume XX, Issue 1, 14 December 1889, Page 4

Oxford and Cust Observer. PUBLISHED WEEKLY. SATURDAY, December 14, 1889;

Two great questions are just no 1 * en-^ gaging the public miad— Defence 6i the Colonies, and Federation* . The, latter is still in what we may term an inchoate state. None of our prominent public nlen have as yet promulgated a finished scheme ; and there is ai> extraordinary difference of opinion as regards the atoms which are floating without form and void in the minds of those who have taken part in the disCUssion of this important question.' Sir Julius Vogel- has said very little about the matter, but- what he" is credited with saying is given with no uncertain sound, and is calculated to awaken serious reflection in the minds of those who think it advisable to consolidate the great Colonies of Australasia in one Dominion. He pronounces firmly in favor of Federation ; and he declares that, once having entered the Confederacy, any attempt at secession should be put down. by force of arms. This is plain speaking. While others have been beating about the bush, making vague suggestions, hinting at shadowy schemes that give one'the impression that no scheme at all has presented itself to the minds .of our Colonial statesmen, Sir Julius has committed himself to a pronouncement which will give food enough for earnest discussion. The position taken up . is quite in character with his antecedents ; full of resource, when many of our public men — cast down by a long season of depression — saw only disaster before the country, he was always ready to present an undaunted front to the situation, and to propound schemes of redress, so reasonable in themselves and so simple, that men wondered that nobody had thought of them before. His suggestion for preserving the unity of the future Dominion of Australasia will give plenty of matter for reflection to those who are now busy in promoting that great object. Touching the question of Defence, a good deal has already been done* The principal harbors have been put in a state which our military authorities say is sufficient to cope with any hostile force likely to approach them. In our modest opinion this is enough. The idea oi any large force invading any part of Australia we think preposterous?, we are supported in this 'view by the experience of the last European war in which England was engaged: Upon that Occasion Eussia took care to oonfine her vessels of war to her own fortified harbors-. 'The English Baltic

fleet in effect bidckajled Cronstadt, and" Succeeded irT throwing a shot a distance of five miles into the hearb of the place —a feat of gunnery in those days— we suppose as an invitation to our Mends to come out, but the attention ' was declined. At Sehastapol the Eussian Ships were stink ;at tije.mo^th of the harbor, in order to prevent the curious English, who yfeTe outside, 'from ganl J : ing any knowledge of the- interior^ Here VaS a depth of humiliation ; but there was ,a lower deep still-^at the; harbor of PetropaulofsM : the Bus9ia^ admiral escaped during a i oggy rdght } : he did not/ liowever/ come. down 1 tol attack any of the tempting ;^!fusti^iaj4 towns/ but made good his retreat fai? • beyond the {'each' of the English" Scjuadrotji , -.!.•■;. • What reason ia tnete to fear the descent of an enemy on pur shores ? 'If Eussia Could antidpate "ArUlo Domini 2000," and provide a forde.of air cruisers^ it might be done* but not * we venture to tliink, otherwise. ' ■