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Star (Christchurch), Issue 6065, 31 December 1897, Page 2

The wars of the year have been few and comparatively bloodless. A rising in Crete against Turkish rule was followed by a sympathetic movement on the part of G/reece. A Greek naval expedition iito aid the Cretans was compelled to desist, owing to the Great Powers of Europe establishing a joint control over Crete, supported by a number of

warships. The Greeks then threw several army corps over the Turkish | frontier in Thessaly ; but their gallant 'j attempt proved fruitless, owing to , the superior strength and organiea- ; tion of the Turkish army. A campaign disastrous to Grecian aspira- > ( tions, to Grecian finances and to i : Grecian reputation for valour, was I ended by the Powers intervening and 1 ; arranging terms of peace, which have • just been concluded. The year has i j also witnessed the conclusion of the insurrectionary war in the Philippine I Islands and the practical termination i of the long and cruel campaign in i Cuba. Spain has, by making certain > concessions winch, she ought never to i have refused, managed to retain these i two colonies, but at a tremendous cost ■ in money and men, and with the loss i of whatever reputation she possessed I for being animated by humane and ) just ideas. A fanatical insurrection ■ in Brazil, led by a semi-insane ; " Messiah," was terminated a few \ months ago by the practical annihilaE' tion of the rebels. From these re- ■ cords of bloodshed it is pleasant fc to turn to the contemplation of I events that point to the early i establishment of a happier and wiser 3 regime. A general treaty of interi national arbitration between England : and the United States was signed i during the year, and its final ratificar tion was only- prevented by the action ) of the - blatant and insincere ■ " Jingoes " of America. This great J reform is only deferred, not defeated ; • and meanwhile there is ground for • congratulation in 'the ' reference to • arbitration of the Anglo-American i differences on the Bubject of Venes zuela and the seal fisheries in the i Behring Sea. The complications that • threatened to arise between Japan and ; the States over the Hawaiian Islands > seem likely to be averted by peaceful i i negotiations, and the attention of all i the Powers has been turned during the closing hours of the year upon the unwieldy Empire in the Far ' East.