The Pahiatua Herald. with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1894. THE CHINAMAN.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 243, 21 December 1894, Page 2

The Pahiatua Herald. with which is incorporated THE PAHIATUA STAR. Published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1894. THE CHINAMAN.

The most ludicious piece of information that has been cabled from the seat of war in tho East was that referring to the garrison at Waihaihei. The men have announced their determination to desert if attacked ; a very polite intimation to the pugilistic Jap to move on. John Chinaman will face a square meal, but has a solid objection to leaden missiles intended to disqualify him from exercising his chopsticks. He is candid enough to admit this, and now frankness must be added to his many virtues. The result of tho tussle between China and Japan has helped to dispel many fondly-cherished theories. It was Lord Wolseley we think who predicted for the Chinaman pre-eminence among the nations of the world. Tho Chinese nation was to take front rank, and the Chi.ncse hordes were to over run-the earth. Among the statesmen of Europe China has boon regarded as a great nation and England has always courted her alliance in the belief that she was powerful enough to act as a buffer between British possessions in the East and those of Russia and France in the same quarter. Japan has exploded the greatness of China, and has shown how lamentably weak and disorganised is the state of the Celestial Empire. John Chinaman recedes, while tho enterprising and plucky Jap secures a position ranking with great nations. The war must soon come to an end, so far as China and Japan is concerned, but the settlement of the terms of peace will oause mischief. What will Japan demand and what will China he allowed to concede ? The war itself does not concent Europe but the peace proposals materially affect England, Russia, France and the United States. The interests of these countries overlap, and the peace terms will require to he very finely drawn to avoid those complications which end in the drawing of swords. Tho attitude of Franco towards England recently has been far from friendly; every pretext has been seized upon by French newspapers and French statesmen to insult England. The feeling of the nation towards England is shown is the action of Admiral Cuverville, Prefect at Cherbourg, who urges that the French navy and army should bo kept in continual readiness for war with England. We are at divergence with France at several points of thecompass, and the matters ill dispute, though trivial, may develop into a ra.vi» Mli. Tho East is the quarter most likely to cause a flare up, and the sudden dispifch of the heavily armed fastcruiser, tI.M.S. Latona, to Chineso waters within the last few days forebodes evil. The British garrison at Hong Kong was strengthened some time ago and British troops are, it is said, to occupy Shanghai. The air is thick with doubts about tho continuance of the long peace of Europe, and even sedate English journals are calculating tho probabilities. Tho feeling in England is illustrated by the following, which we extract from the Financial Times: “An interesting illustration of the feeling of disquiet prevailing on the Stock Exchange and elsewhere regarding the political outlook is the fact that numbers of jobbers have been taking out policies at Lloyd’s to insure them against the outbreak of war between any of the Great Powers during tho ensuing 12 months. Last week a number of insurances were effected at £2 10s per cent, hut on Tuesday the underwriters of Lloyd’s were demanding £4 per cent or £2 10s for six months. The Powers covered by the policies are Great Britain, Germany, France, Russia, Austria and Italy.” Will John Chinaman apply the lighted match to iho powder magazines of Europe? Time must supply the answer.