The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 10198, 2 January 1895, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY.

'WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1895. " Uneasy lios tlio hencl that wears a crown," will be realised daily, more and tnorc, by the young monarch whom t ord Rosebery so pathetically spoke of in bis ripeech at the Lord Mayor's banquet. Great hopos arc centred in the now Emperor, but his youth and want of political oxperionco will, it is considered by those who know him and oro there- ' fore competent to judge, place the new |

Ozar at great disadvantage, having to face a vecy complicated state of affairs under which the country he is called upon to rule over is placed. He is of a vory quiet and retiring disposition it is said, and the declaration by tho young Czar to the Prince of Wales the other day that so long as he lived there would be nothing but friendship between Russia and England, is one of those incidents which shows the character of the young man. It may be said that not much value can. be placed on the confidential remarks made in friendship and uttered on the occasion they were to a near relative, and perhaps it is not right to over | exaggerate the importance of such a j promise, for contingencies may arise which may render the carrying of it out impossible. The Cologne hazette gives a brief account of the new Czar's life, from which something of the young man's character may be gathered. He entered tho army at the age of eighteen and was little more than a child as regards his way of looking upon life at that time. He abhorred the homage of Court and official life, and was only really happy when he could frolic in an innocent fashion with his younger fellow officers, when the elder ones, especially his tutor — for whom he has always entertained the greatest esteem — were out of the way. In this way his character became more independent. He became a good officer, and, although anything but a passionate soldier, ho is in a position to recognise mistakes and to appreciate efficiency. He is devoted to duty, and does everything that he undertakes thoroughly. In many ways he resembles his father, but is in scientific knowledge in advance of him, and has this advantage over Alexander 111. that from his earliest years he lias been brought up as the j Heir Apparent, whereas tho latter was twenty years of age before be came into that position. He has also, like his father, a certain shyness, which in his case also has been mistaken for haughtiness. At home he was brought up in tho most loving manner, like all the other children of the Imperial family, but the consciousness of the dignity of the position of the Czsr was more deeply impressed upon him than, upon his brothers. To him the Czar was higher than tho father. Regarding his future, tho same paper remarks :—": — " He novor displayed an opinion contrary t» that of his father, and it may bo pretty positively affirmed that he will tread in his footsteps now that ho is on the throne. But oao must reckon with ono factor, namely, the new Czar is very easily influenced, and there is a fear lest his younger councillor*, whom he will have to select later on, should uot be inspired with such pacific intentions as the majority of the well - proved counsellors of Alexander 111,, iv whom, though unconsciously, the traditional friendly feeling for Germany still slumbers." Professor F. H. Geffoken has also contributed to the German press his estimate of the character of the now Czar. He writes: "The Czar is a noble generous character opposed to every kind of persecution, and especially to religious fanaticism. He has already prevented a great deal of mischief, and has softened down many a strong measure. He is a decided opponent of Pobendoneszeff, and the latter would probably be among the first to disappear under a new regime. He is distinctly friendly to Germany,, and has a warm friendship for the Emperor William. The French have nothing to hope from him, and the Triple Alliance has nothing to fear. Hence it is only the home politics in Kussia which will undergo a great change under a now ruler, and if the future Czar has the strength to carry these changes through they will be for the welfare of the Great Empire, and will lead to the pacification of the discontented elements in Russia. Whether he will be sufficifntly energetic to carry out his strong opposition to the present bureaucratic regime, and to introduce such reforms as are possible in Russia, remains to be seen. But in his efforts towards that end he will have a valuable assistant in his uncle, Grand Duke Vladimir. The rest of the Imperial Family do not count. Outwardly there will be few changes. If the lato Czar was a lover of peace, who only pushed onward where he knew that England would not dare to act (in Asia, for instance), the present Czar is still more opposed to war." The Czar's marriage, too, with the daughter of the Princess Alice — the best be'oved of all the daughters of the Queen — will add a nearer tie to Great Britain, but nevertheless we cannot overlook the fact that if by some political complication war became inevitable, all sentiment would have to go to the wall, and personal friendship would bo powerless to avert trouble, if affairs between the two nations became so involved that nothing but a resort to arms could settle the disputed question. However, now-a-daya diplomatists do much to avoid war if possible, and by a system of compromise — each country meeting the other half way — many difficulties arc averted. At all events, we think wo may not expect wars or rumors of wars" for some time at least, for M. do Giers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, has addressed to tho representatives of other Powers abroad a circular, in which he saja : " Our illustrious Sovereign, when he assumed the supreme power conferred upon him by tho inscrutable decrees of Providence, firmly resolved to take upon himself in all its details the exalted task which his bebved father of imperishable memory had undertaken. His Majesty will devote all his strength to the development of the internal welfare of Russia, and will in no way deviate from the completely pacific, loyal, and firm policy which to so great a dogree has [[contributed to the general peace. Russia will remain faithful to her traditions, and endeavour to maintain friendly relations with all the Powers, recognising, as she has hitherto done, m respect for right nnd order the bot>t guarantee for the safety of the State. At tho opening of that glorious rule which now belongs to history, tho objects of the Ruler consisted simply in tho ideal of a strong and happy Russia, having proper regard for her o\i n good without at the same timo injuring anyone. To-day, at tho beginning of a new reign, wo avow the same principles with ejual sincerity, nnd implore the Lord's blessing so that thesu principles may be carried out without modification for many years and may bo invariably productive of good." The New Year thus opens peacefully so far ns European Powers are concerned, and may such a state of affairs remain is tho wish wo feel sure of evory disinterested person in tho world.

The receipts at tho gates at the Sports on New Yoar's day did not come up to anticipation, and the Club will come out with a debit balance.

Tho Gymnasium Sports Committo desire to acknowledge with thanks, a donation of £1 from " Fish Oh."

The llawunt Athletic Bpovte on Now's Day worts patronised by a good sprinkling of town residents.