European Affairs.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2016, 12 January 1887, Page 2

European Affairs.

From an article in the London Spectator we make the following extracts “Franca is threateuiug England and defying Germany. Germany is throbbing with expectation of a joint attack from France and Russia, in which, if she were defeated her very independence might be lost. Half the Austrian Monarchy is clamoring for war as essential to its peace, and the other half is fearing it ■ while Russia gloomily that war must be, though possibly not tomorrow. The health of the aged German Emperor is watched with a burning eagerness, wlrch reflects itself every week on the Stock exchange, because it is supposed that his life is one of the beat guaramees for peace, as, indeed, we gn-atly fear it is. The nations are piessing on the manufacture of improved weapons with feveiisb recklessness, as if lime were of the last importance, and even the publicists who denounce the expense, dissuade the I’arjiamenls from resistance, and only demand that the pohey to he pursued in the upproching war should be made clear. The repeating tide must be bought, they say, if the Tieasury is emptied , but tell us who is to be shot? tin Ur have matters gone, that the Austro German alliance which recently held the world in check, is cracking under a wish for war, and that Prince Bismarck openly defends himself for what bis countrymen think weakness, by pleading the huge war he believes can be averted only ny concession. . . . Imagine Bussia, Germany, Ausin.t, Italy, and Franca ail at once involved in a great war—and tliaf U tho i.oncipaiion—aui wnere m Europe except in tins little island, will there be peace, or at least anypc.ee that will, allow industry to procied ? it is a wh»l-„ b ou tioeut which wni oe involved, and that the continent upon which the progress uf the world depends It Europe recedes, wnere w the motive power to come from that will advance civilisation ? i'he feat may pass awav, but at this moment there is no capital in Europe where the news of a decision wuich would make war on the grandest principle inevitable and iwmedi»te would (be received wan |auytuiag use sut. prise or incredulity. Europe, without wishing war, is listening for it. . . ihe French Peasantry w,ll not light China, but they aid seizing foreigners everjwbeie, uh • spu« 0 | Bismarck.’ Ihe Hungauans want war oecause they say unless tuey tight, the blavs win one uay ciush th.ni ; ihey are ready, i Q f e , fr >m dual of be.og drowoeJ, to jump into the river. As to o impulsion to keep the pence, there is not a sign of it, “ Europe " the only elective compeiler, being less capabi# of coherent or united solum than at any peuod of her recent history. All statesmen say they wsnl pi ace. but all increase their stores ui powder, lest perchance because they are peaceful souut nug should be taken away from them, or they should find -hemeeives under the feet of a victorious enemy."

Probate was granted last week in the will of the late Mr Anthony tdyidatn th* wooaut being £190,000, '