BRITAIN'S SUPREMACY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7545, 28 January 1896, Page 2

BRITAIN'S SUPREMACY.

SPEECH BY LORD BRASSEY. Melbourne, Jan. 27. ■ Speaking at a luncheon in connection with the Australian Natives Association, Lord Brassey returned thanks as an Imperial official for the sympathy offered to England in the recent trouble. He thought it played no insignificant part in producing improved relations between Great Britain and the foreign Powers. He trusted the American dispute would be settled amicably by the arbitrators. His Excellency referred to the strained feeling towards Germany, and said England had stood firm and the trouble waa now over, but it had had the effect of improving our relations with Franco. He deprecated England's isolation in regard to the Armenian question, and thought co-operation with the United States would improve matters. The British iiavy was never so strong as a!) present. Lord Braasey, Governor of Victoria, is an authority on naval and military matters. " The expressions which have come from the German Emperor (he said) do not imply that he will carry hia people to the extreme length of going to war with Great Britain. If he did it would be purely a naval war, and Germany alone would stand a very poor chance indeed. It is revolting, however, to think of war between two countries which have always been on the most friendly terms. Great Britain and Germany are historical allies. We stood shoulder to shoulder an the beginning of this century, and the. Emperor periodically visits England and the Queen, and has always thought it an honor to have the rank of an admiral of the British fleet. In tho[ recent manoeuvres at Kiel he went on hoard the British flagship wearing his Admiral's uniform, and it waa the only foreign warship he boarded. He makes yearly visits to his grandmother, and has always evidently been extremely anxious to engage in friendly relations with England, and I don'b think, notwithstanding what) has been said and the warlike interpretations put upon it, that he will, in a matter of this kind, desire to reverse his policy. Even if he did I don't think he would be supported by the public opinion of Germany. I know him so far as it is possible for a humble individual like myself to know an emperor, and I have had may long conversations with him on public matters, in which he always displayed marked ability; but if is clear that in this matter, as in his severe measures for the repression of socialism in. his own country, he has acted on the im* pulse of the moment. " What is this undeveloped danger to> the British Empire we hear about? We'havs heard about the projected landing of German military forces in the Transvaal. I suppose that is it, and that is just the reason the British authorities are now so aotive. The sending of soldiers or navies to be in readiness where affairs are disturbed has been one of the moat familiar moves, and an act of diplomacy. For weeks past, for instance, we have had all the great fleet under the British flag in the Mediterranean concentrated iv the archipelago so as to be near afc hand to Constantinople, and by that means produce a certain impression on the Sultan. It is very evident, too, that President Kruger's move at the present time is to geb command of the trade by the Delagoa Bay route, but the presence of an overwhelming British naval force there will show him forcibly that it can if necessary be placed under British control. That can be easily and rapidly effected by our navy. I am perfectly confident myself that wise counsels will ultimately prevail, and with such- an able man as Sir Hercules Robinson on the spot the moderate intentions of the British Government will be agreed to by those concerned. But we must protect the Transvaal from all such freebooting attacks as that led by Dr Jamieson. I consider ib an act of freebooting to go to war with a friendly power over which we have suzerainty without authority from the Crown. It is military privateering of the worßt sort. While the design lie had in hand was unlawful, his conduct iv carrying out the project was in tho highest degree gallant; and brave. A mistake has been made, but; I don't think any aerioua warfare will result from it. I don't think there is any likelihood of the Australian squadron being ordered to South Africa;" There are plenty of vessels without them." Lord Brassey compares Norfolk Bay for naval manoeuvres with Hyeres in the Mediterranean, expressing the opinion that if anything it is superior, as Norfolk Bay gives ample room for a very large number of vessels. Referring to colonial defences and to the naval forces in colonial waters he concurred in Admiral Bridge's opinion that every man in these lands should be taught to handle a rifle. A colonial navy might have to be thought of some day, but for the present the consideration of that subject might wait. W. H. Nelson, who is in the drug business at Kingville, Mo., has bo much confidence in Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhcea Remedy that he warrants every bottle, and offers to refund the money to any customer who is not satisfied after using it. Mr Nelson takes no rick in doing this, beeauae the Remedy is a certain cure for the diseases for which it is intended, and he knows it. — It is for sale by E. D, Smith, wholesale an<3 retail agent,— Ad vt,