THE QUESTION OF NATIONAL PEACE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XII, Issue 2374, 2 June 1906, Page 4

THE QUESTION OF NATIONAL PEACE.

The “Spectator” tells us that it is said everywhere on the Continent that the new attitude of the United States, which so recently struck down an ancient European monarchy, as it were, with a pat of the hand, tends heavily in favour of peace. It is quite true that the statesmen of the Union still profess that one of their first objects is to abstain from interference in the affairs of Europe; but still they do not remain at a distance from those affairs, and the difference between interference and tbe action of a representative like Air White in the conference of Algeciras is not to European diplomatists easily perceptible. A six-foot policeman may he the best-tempered mail ill the world; hut if he is looking on at a riot, and wishing the riot to stop, the rioters are apt to measure his shadow as a very palpable element in tbe situation. He might strike in, and if be did be might alter tbe “balance of power” among the fighters most materially. America has no army, sav all the Intelligence Departments, hut tor defence she has two millions of men who know how to use the rifle, and if resolved to offend, her wealth would enable her to create u great fleet with most annoying rapidity. She must be counted on is a heavy concrete argument against the reckless pursuit of objects of ambition. With America, Great Britain and Austria ho l•.'«!y devoted to peace, and the tier nan people seeking wealth, and with serious uncertainties and anxieties as regards the control of tbe great markets of Further Asia, no one will break up the truce of God without much of that kind of reflection which always induces able men to wait. Tbe doubter w hom tbe poet represented as reproaching men with being ‘‘sickbed o er with the pale cast of thought recognised that while so sickbed they would bo indisposed, or even incapacitated, for violent action. Europe, we think, is safe, at least for a while, from any coup* de tete—we may hope also from any corps de poignard. Since that hope was expressed the disarmament question has been brought forward by England, and scouted by both Franc** and Germany. Both of these latter nations nro increasing their navies France to protect herself against her old-time enemy, and Germany to excel the naval power of France, and. if possible. get on lev*'l terms with Great Britain.