CURRENT TOPICS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6513, 16 June 1899, Page 3

CURRENT TOPICS.

The accusation of the Gergreat . man newspapers that Engbritain, land wishes to wreck the Germany Peace Conference, and to and create a feud between Gerrtjssia. many and Russia, might well be met with the retort that it appears to be the aim of certain German politicians and their journalistic organs to promote discord between Russia and Great Britain. By the last mail) intelligence was received that the Press of the Fatherland commented upon the Anglo-Russian agreement as to China in a manner which betrayed the deepest annoyance. The " Hamburger Correspondent" recently wrote, apropos of this arrangement: "Little episodes of this nature can in no way affect the movement of the great drama of fate: The tendencies of Russia's 'Asiatic policy remain the same as before, and Great Britain will- continue to be on her guard." The " Correspondent " further remarked -that, sooner ■or later, the interests of Great Britain and Russia must come' into conflict in Persia, and that Russia would perhaps meet' with bitter disappointment in her endeavours to float her loans in the London money market. The " National Zeitung" alluded to the Persian question in similar terms, and also referred to the fact that the Government of Corea' had 1 granted to the East Russian Fishing Company a lease for twelve years of three sites for fisMng stations. From these circumstances The "Ztfitung," with apparent gratification, drew' the Inference that, even if Russia and Great Britairt have peacefully settled their Chinese difficulties, there are still plenty of probable causes of friction between the two Powers. This attitude of the Gernuui Press iriay or may not be "inspired," Jmt in any case it adds plausibility to the views of those Englishmen who maintain that Great Britain's "natural ally"" amon^ Continpiital nations is Russia, and that her "natural enemy ** is Germany. It may, moreover, be an- indication that the friendship of. Great Britain is, in reality, more valued in Con Uinental diplomatic circles than ceitnin persons belonging to those circles would have people believe. The unfriendly remarks of the' German newspapers may mean nothing more than the fox's observation, "The grapes are sour."

The intrepid Indian frona modern tier fighter, Sir Harry Burlamps asi> nett Lumsden, founder of pitchers, the famous Guides, told a stout, story, which forcibly recalls the Scripture narrative of Gideon's stratagem of the lamps and ■pitchers. Somewhat : early in his career, Litmsden was sent . with a small force through the Huzara country, and found '< every step of the way' disputed by the inhabitants. At last his toughly-resisting foes concentrated r.n the top of a steep mountain, whence it,- was almost impossible to dislodge them, He was nearly at his.

Wits end,f when a villager came iri and told him that, although the enemy occupied the

top of the moantain all day, they were in the habit <)f coining to springs half -way do^n". to (Jook and rest- at night. " Acting on this informatioS,"' %vrote Sir fiarry,- " I sent iftf" herdsmen of tfee district.,, and showing: ihtoi a handful of : . gold coins, promised" to giveihem to thehv if the men woufd tft&e up a bugler and some odds and ends tkat "they, must <:ai?ry. with them [t > the top' of- tie bill, after' the enemy had [retired fromr. the heigjits for the- night. *A bargain was ir.ade; ; and. nest evening my little party was-- ready for starting." The bugler was disguised as si. shepherd-, and the villagers* (three fni numbec) carried each half a dozen pots fiUe^iwith pow'dei*; wath fuses I attached. , These* tliey" war©:, to' take to j'the top of the hilfcand: lay out in. a row, 1 and at nine- at night,. on-, at. signal pocket ( 'being; fired from- camp.,, they were to light ; all'the fuses, the bugler wouH. blow all- the calls, he knew, and -then tfie whole piarty were, to» make the best of- their way back to ,'camp.. When the time- caane » star .rocket shot up into . the cloudless sky. Bang, bang, bang, went the powder pots, I the- sound, of their bursting. reE&nber&fcing through the hills, in the still of night air, jlike salvos ofartillery, while- the- shepherds*, who had that night lost 'some sheep—carried off, it is supposed, by the enemy. — sent some large stones bounding.. dewn< the side of the hill. The enemy, who^had just re.,tired for the night, rushed to their matchlocks, and, concluding that the whole- force

vU oy some, mysterious agency been, conveyed up the v hill above, them, , instantly tpqk to flight, those' in front. fiFing^baok* ap the late starters, an"d each p'arty^thinkirig his- neighbour a pursuing JSikh... "We^ in/ camp," Sir Harry observed, "were too much convulsed with merriment at the.comr plete success of our stratagem to attempt to follow them, if we had any intention, of. doing so. This settled the whole business,, and brought the Kaghan Saiuds to their, senses." After reading, this story,, it is easy to understand, how the resourceful Israelitish leader, witL^i few hundred men, routed a large army of wild Midianites by; a stratagem of a somewhat similar kind.