THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I." SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1879.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 71, 8 February 1879, Page 2

THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I." SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1879.

One of the remarkable features of modern European politics is the rapid and ever growing sympathy between Franco and England. The sentiment first took root at the time of the Crimean war, but was soon cheoked by Lord Palmereton who had an inate distrust of Louis Napoleon's words and deeds; this prejudice gave rise to the Volunteer movement—a movement which bus outlived all fear of a Frenoh invasion and which has gradually extended itself to almost every British colony. After Ijord l'ahnerston's death the jealousy between the two nations decreased, but so long as Napoleon was on the throno there was no unanimity in public opinion. At this day there can bo no question but that the late Emperor was sincere in his profession of good will. ' • suction of the British publio could :i ••. .or*!* hj hi* mode of attaining power. It is howovur to M. Thiers that tho credit of establishing on a permanont basis good relations between tho two countries properly belongs. His own words uttered more than thirty years ago uro thus recorded : —" The corner stouo of my policy has always boon tho English alliance. Tho sinccrety of my affection for it

should not be doubted, for I have saeri-1 new! to it two great objects of public life, ' l«>pularity and power." And through ' all the trying time when he was engaged in reconstructing the political edifice in France, the English press encouraged him with cordial expressions of sympathy,' so evidently sincere that they struck a chord in the heart of the French nation. In fete years too M. Garobetta cannot complain of inattention on the part of England to those words of studied moderation which he now addresses to his fel-low-citizens, though when he played the part of a political fire-brand the English people liked hiui not. The Exhibition of 1878 became, before its close, a most signal proof of the existence 01 a real Anglo-Gallic alliance, secured, not bytreaty, but by a living national sentiment on the part of both countries. For three centuries has France been an European volcano. It is too much Jto hope that her stock of fireworks is exhausted, and that the supply will not be renewed ? Looking around we discern several signs that such may be the ease. The French nation passed through a ciisis two years ago ; the ordeal wis severe ; a catastrophe was avoided mainly through if. Gambetta's moderation and by the hitherto unexampled patience of the people at large. What France una done once, she may do again. We note another good omen : the attitude of the Prince Imperial. Ho has become an earnesl student uf constitutional government. If any conclusion may bo drawn from one or two of his public speeches, from his habits of life and conduct generally, it must be that he is preparing himself to bo some day a Constitutional Ruler in France. Another favourable portent was the failure on Prince Bismarck's part, at the Berlin Congress, to arouse jealousy between Franco and England. The ['Prince undoubtedly wished England to seize Egypt; it would have done Ger- . I many no harm, and would have sown ■: sscdo of ill-will between the above-men* ; i tioneil Powers that would have continued

to produce a rich harvest of feuds for many years to come. Happily Lord Beocousfield saw the trap hud for him. On his return to England he publicly declared that no acquisition of territory or

increase of power could recompense Great Britain for any diminution of the

good feeling existing between France and England. Political prophecies are comparatively worthless; it is the unforseeu that ever happens. M. Garnbetta may cast aside moderation, and in mora senses than one lose his head ; the Prince Imperial installed in office may throw to the winds constitutional principles; some action on England's part may sow bitter jealousy between herself and France. All that can be said is that the horizon is clear, and the class is high.