THE FIVE GREAT POWERS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XIV, 3 October 1896, Page 428

THE FIVE GREAT POWERS.

There are in Europe says the Westminster Review, five great powers—England, France, Germany, Russia, and Austria—who all hate each other cordially, although they make alliances between themselves whenever expediency suggests agreement.

England hates France because they are rivals for the supremacy of the world ; England hates Germany because she is irritated by her presumption and her trade competition ; England hates Russia because of the distant East ; England hates Austria because she is not England.

France hates England because it has been the duty of England to put a period to the glory of all her great monarchs; France hates Germany with a racial hate; France hates Russia because the two peoples are so essentially made to disagree ; France hates Austria because she always has hated her. Germany hates England because England was great before she existed, and will be great when she in her present form shall have ceased to exist ; Germanv hates France because she fears her ; Germany hates 'Russia because fate decrees that these two nations shall cuteach other’s throats ; Germany hates Austria because she knows Austria does not love her.

Russia hates England because of the future ; Russia hates France because of the past ; Russia hates Germany because of the present; Russia hates Austria for every conceivable reason.

Austria hates England because a debilitated nation always hates a healthy one; Austria hates France, for France has robbed her ; Austria hates Germany as Esau hated Jacob; Austria hates Russia through sheer force of circumstances.