The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1875.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2027, 3 July 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, JULY 3, 1875.

That was a significant sentenco in yesterday's telegrams which read—"All Europe is profoundly agitated by the apprehensions of war." Even at this distance from the scone it is not difficult to conceive how greatly excited people would .be over the probability of a conflict between the great Powers of Europe, with their vast armies, improved weapons of warfare, and all the appliances which modern science and modern discovery have brought to bear in this direction. With the details of the Franco : Prussian struggle still fresh in poople's minds, it is not to be wondered at that the chance of a repetition of such a straggle is viewed with.feolings of alarm ; and when it is remembered that a fresh appeal to arms by two powerful states would possibly drag , other nations into the embrpglio,themagm". ' tudc of the contest which would ensue can scarcely be realised by the most imaginative. It would be a calamity of fearful portent; dreadful in 'results and worldwide in its influence? It would not be decided, as was the Francd-Prussian v war, by the temporary disabling of one of the opposing parties ; but the end —the bitter end would in all probability see some powerful states shorn of their power and robbed of their prestige for ages. From a professedly defensive position, Germany appears to have advanced to an aggressive attitude. Not content with humbling.the pride of^France and enlarging their own territory by annexation, the rulers of' Germany- lappear to see sfresh, cause of quarrel in every effort made by the French people to recover their position. Instead of conducing to conserve

the peace of Europe, the Germanic Federation and the creation of an Empire appears to have resulted in a prolific source of evil. For it is beyond contradiction that every alarm—every rumour of war in Europe for some years past has had its origin in a difficulty created or suggested by the action of the Government of the German Empire. The policy of progress promulgated at the birth of the Empire has developed into an arbitrary—almost tyrannical system of enforced adherence to laws of an obnoxious .character ? io : its ;.O(WQ^subjects. While its home policy has generated serious internal dissension the new Power haspursued a coarse of proceedings tending to iorce its new idea? upon neighbouring states. The attitude of Germany towards France has been really menacing, though professedly friendly; and this policy has had the effect of encouraging the feeling which the, French people seem to cherish—that of revenge for the humiliation to which they were subjected in the late struggle. In the course of events the Press has exercised a widespread influence in public feeling. In Germany the Press has in a general way given its support to the Government, and the ill feeling created by the war, and incresed by the tauntings of the German Press, will take years to remove, if it can be done f at all without another trial of strength between the late contending parties. The English Press, it is pleasing to note,' condemns the policy of Germany; and The Times—whose influence is superior to that of Princes—speaks out boldly on the question, and intimates that any ? attempt jtp; jcrusl? prance wilj array an international leagueVgainst the general enemy—that is, against the Power that may make the attempts :; The Emperors of Russia and Germany have met in friendly conference, and their principal advisers have also taken counsel together; but it is satisfactory to note that since these conferences~of Emperors and Princes acalmer feeling has prevailed. No doubt this is in a great measure due to the influence of the Timesr-^the paper, which has before this exercised such an important influence on the course of events in? Efirope, ; fThe: telegrams are reassuring in'one particular, namely,*that a belief exists that peace may not be disturbed *at present. It is not in our province to s*y what may come in the course of events, but that another war will be brought about, there seems good ireason'to expect, i France .is recuperatißg, her energies to an incredible extent. Her armies are being augmented, and her means of defence secured, with a vigour which shows how vast are her resources and capabilities ; and it is this aspect of affairs. | which seems to keep alive- -the feeling that another struggle miist ensue before the peace of Europe can be established on a firm basis./ This question -is not without interest to us atthe antipodes," for the reason that a European war would probably involve England, and in some measure menace the Colonies, because through the dependencies of the British Empire, the Mother Country could be ■weakened in power., .We can only hope that War. mayljbe averted; and that the continent of Europe may never again be the scene of a war of nations.

Oub Wellington . correspondent—whose telegraphic communication appeared in yesterday's issue—throws * some- light oh the rumour that Sir Julius Vogel had resigned politics fqrjsqmething more, stable, -is 'as We stated—that; the I iuniour had originated in Few Zealand.. A mischievous correspondent at Greymouth in writing to an Australian paper, revived the old' story "about the Premier, .with certain offensive comments on Mr Vogel" regarding his race and creed; and the Melbourne Age, probably anxious for something sensational, magnified an absurd rumour and reproduced' it as having been obtained on good authority. The Age ought to own up -now and say what tlie good authority consisted of. If the Greymouth correspondent's letter, published some days before the Age's assertion, be the authority, it would not be palatable to say so, but it would be a mere act of.justice;: But the Age >is not given to this course, and it will probably have more to say on the matter. Possibly it has an object in view in saying unpleasant things of ■ Mr Vogel since he has become a-Knight.