The Star. WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1878.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3212, 24 July 1878, Page 2

The Star. WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1878.

j • What is tbe true reading of the attitude of France to-day ? Is it the case that one of the most high 'spirited peoples on the face of the earth has permanently bent her sword to a pruning hook, given her soul to the cultivation of all the arts of peace, firmly resolving to study vrar no more,' or is she simply gathering up vast resources to pour them out again a eocrifi.ee at the feet of the bloody goddess of war. The French are essentially a war loving people. There has scarcely been a disturbance of any kind in Europe but she has been ready to draw the sword. It is true that Owing to the apathy of the late Emperor, — who then missed his greatest opportunity to secure the perpetuation of his dynasty, she remained, much to the discontent of the Parisians, perfectly quiescent during the Bhort war between Prussia and Austria, and she looked on in an attitude of the most perfect indifference to the litt'e war between Prussiaand Denmark. But whenreceiitly every great Power has been girding up its loins, and sharpening its sword for battle, making the air hideous with dreadful note of preparation, tbe circumstance that France should make no sign, but proceed steadily with the opening of the biggeßt show the world bas ever seen is certainly to be counted one of the wonders of the age. But a few miles across the Channel her old enemy, but more recently her trusty ally and friend — England has been arming in a way such as England has never armed before, but the circumstance elicited no sign from Prance, she continued to occupy herself solely with the arts of peace, apparently oblivious of continental interests or her former warlike aspirations. Let us hope that it is not Alsace nor Lorraine; not the recollection of Metz, Sedan, or Paris; not jealousy of the Teuton nor the hope of revenge that is the foundation of all this. Let us lope that it is by the arts of peace, and by peace alone, that Fiance trusts to regain the glorious position she has long held amongst the nations of the earth. Under her present Government (although it is a Republic) property is held secure and life iB sacred. Anarchy bas been swept away, and Communism apparently is effectually repressed. A few years ago, the war, which aggressive France began against Prussia was con* eluded by a peace which would have

finally ruined any people not endowed with tbe wonderful energy and recuperative powers of the French; yet, through the extraordinary resources of the country, commerce now flourishes to an extent greater than' at any former period of her history. Next to our own dear motherland France may be said to occupy the proudest position in the world. To*day, she has open a magnificent exhibition of industries gathered from every nook and corner ,of the habitable globe, and in this vast treasure-house the inexhaustible resources of the French people are fully displayed and indubitably attested. The productions of France may fairly be expected to take a most prominent if not the first place. By means of her Exhibition, France hopes to expend the commerce of the world ;.to open up sources of trade between communities little known to each Other, and to cause the industry of one remote land to be exchanged for the products of another perhapß equally remote. But a few years ago and Paris was held to be ruled by a commune of assassins, incendiaries, and robbers, yet at this moment there is to be seen there the Orown jewels of England, Austria, Portugal, and Spain; diadems, and regalia; heirlooms in Royal families from distant centuries, the loss of which would be regarded in the light of a national calamity. France, her Government, her people, her vast resources, stand up to-day a spectacle calculated to impress the mind of every people with wonder and admiration. Truly peace hath her victories no leas than war. It is devoutly to be hoped France follows her present course with the single purpose of peace for her own sake, recognising fully the great truth that her ways are ways of pleasantness whilst all her paths are peace.