FOREWARNED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7295, 7 January 1902, Page 2

FOREWARNED.

In considering the international situation, it is necessary to remember two things — the one, our present weakness, which is known to everybody, and the other, that, although foreign Governments may be friendly, the entire nations are bitterly hostile. It is not too much to say that ait present each foreign Government is sitting on the safety-valve of public opinion. It is thus possible that at any moment a surprise may come. A Power may tnke umbrage at some incident, or the " humanity"" card may be played. After all, well-intentioned European intervention, on the basis of humanity, would be such ■ a delightfully innocentrlooking and seemingly inoffensive step. It would be very difficult for Great Britain to take umbrage aifc jt — 2V en if, as I believe would not he the case, she were sounded beforehand. She might, it is true, and I presume would, reject it; but the mere fact that the Powers had banded themselves together for joint action towards a. common end would presage the initiation of a policy of

which, no one could foresee the outcome. No one, at least, perhaps in. this country. They think differently abroad. It is easy to raise a voice of uneasiness, it is still easier to designate the warning as a mere cry of "Wolf l" — to assert that because the nations have done nothing hitherto they will do nothing now, preferring to see us bleed to death. There is much in this view, but there is more to the foreigner in the real significance of a. cruel rebuff to this country over the South African war. And they are certain, one and all, that the rebuff is inevitable, and the way is already being prepared for its culmination. Only the chance event is wanted.