Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Third of a Century.] WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1906 THE NEIGHBOURS ACROSS THE RHINE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LV, Issue 8612, 21 November 1906, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Third of a Century.] WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1906 THE NEIGHBOURS ACROSS THE RHINE.

Prince Yon Bulow has no illusions as to the state of feelings that exists towards his own nation, on the part of France ; but it may be thought that he cherishes an illusion about the Anglo French entente. It is easy to read between the lines, that the Prince regards it as only preliminary to an actual alliance, offensive and defensive, at some future date. This conception grows out of the sinister designs of the Kaiser's government, which embrace the disablement of France, and the injury of British prestige. These benevolent designs would be thwarted by an AngloFrench alliance, and that we shall in all probability see an accomplished fact before many years are over. We regard a collision with Germany, on the part of England, as merely postponed, and absolutely inevitable. And in spite of patriotic administrations, and policies that make for peace, the human element in France has not disappeared, or to any extent been modified. The shame of Sedan is still a maddening reproach and the dream of vengeance is still a very vivid dream, which, under any sudden stress of circumstances, such as cannot now be forseen, might, at any time, materialise. The official mind of France, though studiously careful to officially promote peaceful sentiment, really recognises and participates in the feeling of the people it is evident. Only a little while ago the Berlin detectives, during the German army manoeuvres, arrested a foreigner, an Austrian subject, who was watching the manoeuvres with interest. He proved to be a spy in the employ of the French War Office, and his own confession was supported by documents and sketches found in his possession. The French authorities might deny all knowledge of him, but, of course, that would avail little. It is well-known that the two nations keep a watchful eye upon each other's military developments. We believe that the only hope of averting the threatened collision between France and Germany, and hostilities between Germany and Great Britain, lies in an Anglo-French Alliance. The Alliance of 1852 had a far les9 laudable pretext, and it was a thorough success, and sowed a good deal of the seed that is now flowering in the improved relations of the two Powers. We hope to see this Alliance consummated. Prince Yon Bulow hints that the trade relations of England and Germany make war between them out of the question. ■ But in this he does not deceive himself or anybody else. German aggressiveness threatens England's commerce, and German designs clearly include an impairment of England's prestige. And the Prince knows, as we all do, that there is a point at which national sentiment becomes fervent, overcomes and burns up every consideration of prudence, policy, and commercial consequence. That

point, as between England and Germany, is never very far off. Art alliance with France would be popular from one end of the Empire to the other. The alliance with Japan can scarcely be so characterised; but a bond with France would be welcomed in the remotest of the over-sea possessions of the King, as heartily as in the London streets.