Wairarapa Daily Times [Established quarter of a Century.] THURSDAY MARCH 5, 1903. A SANGUINARY JOURNAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7402, 5 March 1903, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established quarter of a Century.] THURSDAY MARCH 5, 1903. A SANGUINARY JOURNAL.

Tlik No con Vrvmijd is keen on the scent of blood ; but as it is a chartered libertine of the European press, nobody attaches much importance to its periodical roar. It would be very hard to say precisely what section of itussiaii society this irresponsible, tigerish journal represents. Certainly not the inner Council, which guides tho destinies of the Empire; for the members of that body are diplomatists if they are anything, and "torrents of blood " is hardly a diplomatic phrase ! Still more certainly, it is not the mouthpiece of the gentle Tsar. We have always understood that the Xvvw Vimujn is the organ of the military party, and this sectm to be borne out by its latest deliverance, fn passing, we may note that the fact of such blood-thirsty rellcctiony being made by a journal, published in the dominions of the "Great White Tsar," who was the author and founder of the Peace Conference and the disarmament proposals, throws an interesting light upon the political harmony of tho Muscovito Empire. We have, before, made reference to (and numerous items of news havo exhibited) the utter lack of political unity in llussia, and the real impotence of the Tsar under his semblance of autocratic power. Thin publication seems bent 011 destroying all illusion on tho subject. The Tsar is essentially a man of peace, and of peaceful desires. Yet, a popular man in his Empire breathes lire and slaughter! Of course, there is a section of French society that is ever ready to go " allonging and marohonging " against England. To them, tho Novoc Vrenuja must appear to bo inspired. And, doubtless, there is iif liussiau political circles a strong hopo of one- day being in a position to strike a destructive blow at tijc British Empire. But in France, wiser counsels and commercial considerations havo long prevailed -and do now prevail—while llusaiii, like the man of large ideas and limited lueaus, iJnds herself hardly prepared to incur tho espouse of a war on a scale of such magnificence aa is indicated in tho choieo phraseology of

the Vrewyii,

Tho allusion of ourllussian contemporary to tho French Navy is scarcely complimontary, and shows that the editor has read his history to some purpose. No doubt ho meditates occasionally upon the little incidents of the Uilpand Trafalgar. We should like to see M. PellctJaiVa comment upon this chilling reference to bbo ijfa.vyj of which ho is the administrator, ijc w,ill tjtiiwk it is hardly a proof of that devoted /rjondslup on the part of llussia for Franco, of which Parisian journals have told the world so much. However, this sort of rhapsody is but bnUuin J'uhncii after all; and if any " torrents " are to flow, wo fancy they will bo of ink—rather than blood. If this goi-y writing pleases tho subscribers of the i'vciiii/ft, anJ tends to increase his circulation, let us not grudge him ilio gain. It pleases and profits him, and it doesn't make an atom of differonco to the British Empire !

Tjik Municipal Elections ure approaching, and Mr George Ooodall is the Jjrst in the iickl. Tho two more- prominent nucstions of tho hour are finance and electricity. Qn tho financial question Mr Gooqlall was practically fjilcnt. During tho year now about to close, there has been a general disentanglement of a somewhat serious llnancial complication. Although this has meant heavy rates, tho burgesses havo roasou to bo thankful that a bad corner has bceu turned, Tho

question of electricity was also ignored by Mr (ioodall; indeed, in municipal matters, he is a sort of minor prophet. We do not think tho Firo Brigade question should havo been re-oponed ; tho new iirigado lias accepted the conditions ol employment offered by the Jiorough Council, and it would be bad failh on its pint to go hack on tin agreement which it has nttilicd. The ratopnyei.s havo lo thank Mr (ioodall for the extremely practical proposal for public baths, which ho put before the meeting last evening. ll.is project deserves serious consideration ; and, failing a more extensive scheme, now under report by the Council, should be adopted.