UNBIASED OPINIONS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 6733, 16 April 1885, Page 2

UNBIASED OPINIONS.

[iVi deem it rislit to state that in no wiv identify ourselves tvith the opinions expressed in nmc'ej appealing under this head.] CASUS BELLI. The latest telegrams poiot to a war with Russia as almost inevitable. That the British Government regard a war at tho present time as one that will tax their energies to the full is apparent from the calling out of the army reserves and militia. The former are called for active service, and the latter are no doubt intended for garrif-on duty, thereby, liberating the regulcrs for foieign service. That Russia 19 bent on war is apparent, since she treats .all the advances of England with quiet disdain. An invasiou and couque^t of India is not, we may be sure, the ultimate object which she has in view : that is rather too Quixolic anenterpiise. It is far more likely 'that the advance of troops in that quarter is intended to employ the British army in Afghanistan, whilst llussia swoops down upon Armenia. It cannot yet be stated what secret cncouragemtnt Russia may have received from other Powers. There are Iheiumours of an agreement between Prance and Germany for the occupation of Belgium by the one, and of Holland by tho other, whilst the hands of tho Biilish are employed by the Soudan and Russian wais. This maybe but arehish of tho story current some time since of its being the intention of Ibe chief continental Powers to partition Turkey. This may account for the presence of a special Turkish envoy in London, eager and willui<r to conclude an offensive and defensive alliance with England. Russia, we are told, is making lavish promises to Turkey, with a view of securing her as an ally iii the coming war. It would be I'inacy on Ihe part o£ the Sultan to listen to such piop.)£als, as ho must know full well that for fifty years England alone Ins prevented the destruction of the Turkish Empire. A Hii'siim alliance could only serve to l.iy Turkey utterly helpless before her eternal enemy, should Great Biitain be worsted. It is to be hoped lh.it tho English Government will accept tlm Turkish odVr, as their army coul 1 find ample employment for Russia on the Danube for a year or two, an 1 would, m nvo\er, rive tho English fkci cimnund of the Bhck Sea, tlureby tn'.bling En^l.ini to hnrciss her enemy at a vulmrtblc point. It should also bo taken into account the moral force of a Tuikish nlliuic*. For the only possible chance Russia could Invo of successfully earning on a war iti India would bs in ihe event of a rebellion in India itself. Now the most likely pirt of the population to rebel would be the Mahonnuedans who constitute, about one third of tho inhabitants or! British Indii. The sympathies of the Moslems would most inevitably bo with tho side which has Turkey for an ally. We may bo sure that Russia in thus deliberately going to war his promise o£ support of some kind. It only may bo an assuiance of neutrality by Germany and Austria which would relieve her of anxiety regarding her borders in that direction. On tho other hand there may bo truth in the rumours that Austria was to descend upon Salonk'iij whilst Russia takes Armenia. If such were tho ease then England and Turkey would have Russia and Austria against them; but Austria's movement on Salonica would almobt to a certainty bring Italy into Ihe field as an English ally. It is most deplorable that the present Government should hu\o been mad enough to depart from the traditional foreigu policy of England, which coa&istrd in maintaining a steady alliance with Austria and Turkey. Mr. Gladstone in his speeches ai thu last general election levelled the grossest ins-ults at Austria anl tilkul of driving the "Tuilc out of Europe, bag, an 1 baggage." Tho policy of the Librrals has lou:i to conciliate Franco and Russia, simply becuuso tl.jsc were tho Powers with which

England was at all likely to como into collision. But neither has been conciliated, nor is it possible to do so, otherwise than by the surrender of Egypt and Syria to one, and India and Constantinople to the other. The Liberals marched out of Candahar to show confidence in Russia, and are now matching back to resist a Russian nttack. The Turk, who was to be run out of Europe, is fallen back upon as an indispensable ally, whilst Trance sulks in almost open enmity. But whatever may have been the follies of party lenders, we may feel sure that when tho tug of war comes Englishmen will not shrink from it but will be united to a man in defence of tho old flag ; nor will the patriotic feeling be less amongft us iv New Zealand. Our fiiat care will be, should a war come, to defend our own shores, but when that is done, whatever assistance the colony cau render will bo given most willingly by us to the old country. It is assuring to learn from Sir J. Vogel's speech at Dunedin that tho Government are preparing for the coming storm, which is sure to break sooner or later. Si'Eno Mehora. Stratford, April 13. 1885.