THE WEEK.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 334, 2 May 1885, Page 12

THE WEEK.

Of actual occurrences either in the Soudan or on our Indian Frontier the week has produced no certain record. So far as Afghanistan is concerned there have been constant and generally disquieting- rumours, and one report of fresh fighting and of an Afghan victory. The reports that the Ameer's loyalty to our alliance is not free from suspicion is supported by the delay which takes place in sending engineers to Herat. This, of course, could only be done by the Ameer's consent, but all reports agree that it is greatly needed if Herat is to offer any resistance to an attack. If the Ameer is really reluctant that Herat should be fortified, it can only be because he is willing it should fall into Russian hands — but it is more likely after all that he is only nervous about it being fortified by British engineers. There is, of course, a section of his people quite as apprehensive of England as of Russia, and his position with them might be far from comfortable if he were too ready to throw himself into our arms unreservedly. It will probably be found that the Ameer is personally well disposed, but that in deference to the feelings of some of his chiefs and people he will do much and give up something rather than make his country tho battle ground for his two formidable neighbours. I can hardly say that he is wrong, however inconvenient it may be for England at the moment. If there is any truth in the report of further fighting with the Russians, whether for the moment successful or otherwise, this vacillating policy will have to be abandoned. Nothing could really be better for British interests at this moment' than such hostilities, because they would assure us of the Afghans .in a way nothingelse could do. Of course, such rumours and reports are to be regarded, in times of exciteoient, witli extreme caution, and nothing

can be based upon them until they are fully confirmed. Yet, in itself, there is no improbability whatever in the report of more fighting. The difficulty will naturally be not to bring it about, but to avoid it. Russian generals and officers on the frontier are proverbially ready to fight on the slightest pretext with a view to aggression, well knowing that their zeal will be rewardedThe Afghans also are a fierce and warlike race, and their natural hostility to invaders upon what they consider their territory will render them by no means slow to give occasion, or accept the occasion, for a contest.

in the meantime, diplomatic notefffcontinue to pass and repass, but with no apparent consequences except delay. Mr Gladstone is reported to have proposed to submit the dispute to arbitration ; the Russian Government are said to have proposed to get General Komaroff and Sir Peter Lumsden examined before a Mixed Commission. There is no great prospect of either proposal leading to any real good; Arbitrations are useless between nations, unless the arbitrator can, and will enforce his award. In a quarrel between Russia and England no such arbitrator can be found. A sense of honour might, indeed, induce England to submit to an award, which she deemed unfair, as in the case of the- ' Alabama' claims ; but no such course could be looked for from Russia. If an arbitration was favourable she would abide by it, if the contrary, she would repudiate it. On the other hand, the examination of Sir Peter Luinsden and General Komaroff is a farce, Suppose the tribunal to be honest, and the decision to be clear, it would not touch the real question at issue. If it were found that General Komaroff: was correct and Sir Peter Lumsden wrong about the fighting at Penjdeh it would convince no one in England of the truth of the report. Even if it were accepted it would not go to the root of the matter. It is not the fighting at Penjdeh that is in question, but the whole question of the frontier, and of Russian aggression. The decision of a mixed commission would go for nothing towards settling the question, really at issue, and no one knows this better than the Russian Foreign Office.

Meanwhile, the preparations for war go on. The Russians continue to equip and send out cruisers, evidently in the hope of injuring England's shipping, and threatening British colonies. The English Government is-^ping the same, and no doubt her su ccess in the matter will be vastly greater than that of Russia, as she has an almost unlimited command of money and of suitable vessels for the purpose. It is gratifying to learn that obstacles are being placed in the way of the purchase by Russia of fast steamers as cruisers by the Government of the United States. Such a course cannot but contribute largely to the good feeling happily existing at present between England and America, and I hope the Government will give every encouragement to this movement, or anyother which draws more closely the bonds of union between the different section of English speaking people.

It is evident that at the first sound of arms the army of the Soudan will be withdrawn. So far we are not informed what is to happen when the army leaves. It is stated that the Indian regiments are to remain at Suakim. It is also hinted that Italy is to take it over. Mr Gladstone does not commit himself to either view of the case — but confines himself to saying that if withdrawn we can or may go back again. No doubt we may, but it requires no prophet to foresee that a return is not a likely thing. Meanwhile the New South Wales Contingent has volunteered for service in India if required, and Canada has renewed her offer of assistance for the same country. This is a real federation so far as it goes, and if there is to be a great war with Russia I hope such offers will be more general than hitherto from, the Colonies, and that they will be accepted in the same spirit in which they are offered.

In New Zealand volunteering goes on. apace. In all directions new corps are springing up and offering the Government their services. The idea of active service fires the blood of Englishmen in these colonies just as it always has done in the Old Country. It has been said that England is a warlike, but not a military nation. In this respect we have alwa^ys differed from the French people. They are and always have been fond of soldiering. Reviews and parades are dear to the soiil- of the nation. The British people has little; or no love for this sort of thing ; it is only when war is impending that the real spirit of the people shews itself. Then they are ready for for war, and it is more difficult to restrain than to persuade them to take up arms. In New Zealand our volunteer force, which had dwindled down to very moderate proportions, could now be filled up far beyond the strength which the Government require. It only remains that the force is treated Avith generous consideration. The usual mistake is for the Government to disregard the force the moment the pressing necessity for its services passes away. This has destroyed it in the past ; it is to be hoped that wiser counsels will prevail in the future.

From Canada we hear that the rebellion has been practically crashed. It could hardly fail to be so as soon as the available forces of the colony reached the scene of action ; yet it is gratifying to find the end. reached so qtiickly.

'The rising was a serious one, and was ren•dered more so by the enterprize of its Pleader, and by the savage character of the natives who took part in it. Could we but know the full particulars, we should, no doubt, hear of many atrocities committed, -and much suffering endured, even in the ■ehort time it lasted; and it is to be hoped that steps will now be taken to deter the native tribes from similar enterprises in Jfuture.

In local matters the week has been more than usually-.prpduo.tive of questions of infterest We have had Major Cautley inspectiing our defences land Visiting our outlying •ports. What results his visits to the Bay, Whangarei, and: other of our minor ports may have I'carinot, of course, say, but I •"venture to hope that the Government will laiot be led into any scheme to fritter away •our • money and our energies on trying too anany things at once. It might, indeed, be "well, if feasible, to do something to protect the Bay of Islands, as an attempt to coal there might be made. To extend any such attempt to Whangarei would be absurd, and to the Great Barrier ridiculous. No hostile cruiser will ever go twenty miles up the Whangarei Eiver to coal, we may be sure, ■and heaven only knows what they would ipropose to themselves to gain by a sojourn •at the Great Barrier, — I could wish even a Russian a happier fate !

The Rotorua Railway Company, having made a bargain with the Government for the sale of their line, are now pushing on with 'work with a renewed energy. This was one of the benefits derivable from Sir Julius Vogel's scheme, and this recovery from stagnation will be hailed by him — and with some 'reason — as a real tribute to his policy of last Session. The railway, it seems, is to be <open to Oxford by November, and to Lichfield February next, and even allowing a handsome margin for possible 'delays it does seem likely that great steps •will have been taken before the end of next '.summer to open up the interior to railway communication. Only then will the true .advantages of this part of New Zealand begin to be appreciated. The wonderland of New Zealand is the only thing so far that has "been supposed by most people to be worthy of notice in the interior — ready access will soon tell a different tale, and show that it •wanted in pink and white terraces to make yihe central districts of this island attractive .to the public.

There has been some trouble about the -contract for the Trunk railway works, owing to the clause inserted freeing the Government from the liability to proceed should the state •of affairs prevent them from raising the loan. .As originally drafted, the saving clause was no doubt an absurd one. It was ridiculous to • suppose that any contractor would undertake •a wholly ond-sided contract, by which he was bound tq expend large suras of money on plant and other things, while the Government might at any time rescind the contract •and be held harmless. Governments are •very apt to imagine they are removed above the need of observing the ordinary rules of fair play, but it is well they should be taught that the reverse of this is true. By the -amendment forced upon them by the contractor, the colony will be fairly protected -from loss, and the contractor will be able as a reasonable man to go on with the work.

Our mail steamer ha& been seriously detained, owing to a strike, the rights of which •do not clearly appear. The employment of •Chinamen was reported as the ground of the quarrel, but as Chinamen were always employed in some capacities on board, I don't imagine this can fairly represent the matter. Trades Unions for legitimate purposes are perfectly defencible on economic as well as on moral and legal grounds, but it is not to be forgotten that they are easily perverted to wrong purposes, and then they become a source of weakness to the workmen anno} r anee to the public. In the present • case the public have so far been the sufterers ; •until we hear the rights of the dispute it will t'be impossible to say who are likely to suffer onost in the long run.

The unhappy man who committed the /I'okeno murder has been sent to the Asylum. There can be little doubt that the Whau is the beßt place for him. How far he was ie^ally responsible for his act we need not ■curiously inquire — few people, if any, doubt that the delusion under wliich lie had laboured so long had unhinged his mind, so that as regarded his wife he was insane. :Such a case is not one for hanging, but, if possible, for cure.

How to G-bt Wei.li. — Which is answered in three words— Take American Co.'s Hop Bitters ! Read Flies ahd Bugs, Beetles, insects, roaches fleas, bedbugs, rafcs, mice, gophers, jack-rabbits, cleared e» at by ." Bough, on Eats." The N.Z. Drug Co.. General gents. - The numerous friends of Mr John May, of Pakuranga, will be glad to hear that his fellow settlers at that place are about to recognise his many excellent qualities by giving him a banquet on the occasion of his leaving the district, after a residence of thirty years. Mr May is the brother of Mr Joseph May, who is much esteemed for his many excellent qualities as * man and a colonist. Mr John has been : justly respected and beloved • a large cirole. of friends afc Pakuranga. We flure the 'banquet will be a thorough success. "'