THE SITUATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3302, 28 April 1885, Page 3

THE SITUATION.

(Tablet, April 25th.) There is an irreconcileable difference between the reports of the Russian commander m Afghanistan and Sir Peter Lumsden m. reference to the recent attack made by the Russian forces on those of the Ameer. General Komaroff informs his Government that the Afghans were the aggressors ; Sir Peter Lumsden statesthattheßußsians were the aggressors, and that the patience of the Afghans was exemplary. The British Government' are persuaded that Sir Peter tells the truth, and have emphasised their belief by asking the House of Commons fora vote of £11,000,000 for war purposes. Every dispassionate, man will share m the belief of the English Cabinet. England does not desire war ; on the contrary, there is nothing short of dishonor and the ruin of national interests that she abhors more. This will, we apprehend, be conceded on all hands. : And .now that the "terrible conflict seems to be on the eve of commencing, and every subject of the British Empire is about to be called on to make large. sacrifices for. hia, country, we hope that nothing will arise to prevent a cordial union of all classes and nationalities. This is. not a 'time ""tor!, bear m mind with! bitter feelings injuries long past, which the present generation is making strenuous exertions to repair. The Empire which shields and protoote us all is insulted by a wanton aggressor, herself the enslaver of nationalities and the -persecutor, the bitter persecutor, of one of the oldest and most Catholic nations of Europe; the most vital interests of the flag that waves over us are at stake, and it consequently behoves all to rally round that flag, and by a united effort uphold it till the triumph, of jußtice.be secured. To us colonists it is satisfactory to know that, thanks to the indefatigable exertions of the various colonial.Governments, we may now rest assured that an enemy attempting to attack any of' our chief towns will receive a warm reception, and that there are no longer any grounds for panic. As to a ' descent of a hostile ' force on our shores, we need entertain little or no fears.'- . ■■;/."....;'.. '. '.''.': .-..-''. In this crisis there is one regret which we feel very ' keenly. Amongst certain Irishmen there is a leaven of disaffection, not, we admit, without cause, but at this moment^ apd m view of, the really, honest endeavors' made by the present English Government to redress grievances, this should ba put ■at least m abeyance. It is also to be regretted that coercion is still m existence m Ireland, and that an appeal is not tnade» to the generosity of the people 'and to their loyalty, rather than to their fears. Again, the colonies are at this > moment teaching a valuable lesson to all -who would seek to govern by terror' and injustice 'rather than ' by even-handed 'justice; In the English [Colonial Empire loyalty and devotion to the Queen and her Government prevail universally,' and , why ? Sjmply because, the colonies, have b^een granted the. right of self-government. But. Ireland is discontented because she is denied this right which" all colonies enjoy. Let" Ireland like the colonies, ' have self-government,-let . her be governed -by Irishmen for Ireland, instead of by Englishmen for England, aa the colonies! are governed by. colonists ior colonists, and! eveiy ; note" of discord throughout, the wide dominions of Great Britain ; will cease. Thenj indeed, might defy the world m arms. It is conceded on. all hands that there are no better .soldiers, m , the world! than irishmen, none -more' enthusiastic, dashing, and | enduring ; well, then, let Ireland be conciliated . by an act for which she yearns and for "which' she '-yrSl ever seek, and it majf be confidently hoped that before long one hundred thousand men, the flower of the nation, would flock to enrol themselves under the .standard of thejr illustrious. .. countryman, Lord. Wolseley. We jponfid.ently maintain that nothing is required but a simple act of justice^ the repeal of the fraudulent and insulting arid most injurious Act of Union, to make, all , Irishmen the most devoted and ' enthustically loyal subjects of Her Gracious " Majesty. But what enthusiasm or loyalty can be,, expected from a nation systematically denied its first and moist necessary right, the right to manage its own affairs'? r. ■ - •■