THE COMING CRISIS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 106, 8 May 1875, Page 11

THE COMING CRISIS.

It seems to be the prevailing opinion both in the Press and amongst the public that a terrible war, perhaps the greatest the world has ever seen, is fast approaching. The fact, however, so apparent, of the very extensive prepararations made on all sides, may make all the European powers averse to taking the initiatory step, and assuredly a terrible responsibility will rest upon the nation which will strike the first blow, or give provocation to strike it. France, we are told, is eager for the fray, and is burning to wipe out the terrible reverses of Metz and Sedan, and the insulting swagger of the victorious enemy upon the Boulevards of Paris : while the far-seeing Chancellor of the Empire admits, with chagrin, his under-estimate of the recaperative powers and energies of the French nation, Despite his perspicacity, Bismarck was terribly in error as to the weight of the chains he had placed around the neck of his prostrate foe, and he had vainly imagined that the conditions of the indemnity were as forged fetters, which would weigh his rival to the earth for at least a score of years. To his dismay, however, he finds France only hurt, and with amazing vitality rising like the phoenix from its ashes and ruins, until within but a few years of its apparent utter prostration, she stands at the present day a more formidable rival than ever. To Frenchmen, the humiliation received at "Waterloo pales into insignificance before the terrible degradation of seeing their beloved Paris defiled by the tread of their oft vanquished and much despised G-er-man foe, and they are now but retiring the farther back to make the greater spring at the throat of the oppressor. Already tte unprincipled despot, the persecutor of peaceful men and helpless women, fears the Nemesis that is on his track, and the swaggering tone which, but a short time since, characterised his utterances, is sadly changed. It may be remembered that this modern Dictator, not long ago, had the temerity to beard the British lion, in the per-

son of the First Lord of the Treasury, who contrary to all expectation, and to the disgust of all true Englishmen, ate humble pie. What a source of mortification must it have been to every true Britain to see the minister who held the honor, and was the mouthpiece of the nation's independence, eating humble pie at the dictation of a foreign power which, as compared with British influence a half a century since, was but a mere cipher. But if such be the effect of the conduct of Disbaeli, that of his predecessor was none the more worthy of eulogium, and if the opinions of another Premier are entitled to weight, is deserving of condemnation. In his recently published " Recollections," Earl Etjssell, in speaking of his friend of other days, states that the line of policy pursued by the lute Liberal leader, tended to reduce the great and glorious British Empire to a manufactory of cotton, cloth, and a market for cheap goods ; with an army and navy brought down by paltry savings to a standard of weakness and inefficiency, by his foreign policy he has tarnished the national honor, injured the national interests, and lowered the national character. These are grave charges, and although the source whence they emanate should necessitate their being received with caution, their truth is in a great measure too wellknown to be controverted. In contradistinction to this humiliating subservience to foreign dictation, the manly independence recently exhibited by Belgium to the demands of Bismabck, stands out in bold relief, and the spirit of resignation with which the response of the plucky little kingdom was received, is a most significant fact, and serves to show the feeling of insecurity which has of late possessed the despot. Not satisfied with the extent of his persecution and tyranny on German soil, he addressed a remonstrance to Belgium, suggesting that an alteration of the existing laws should be made to repress the attacks of TJltramontanes, and pointing out that States wishing to preserve the advantages of neutrality should avoid anything tending to affect it. Contrary, however, to having the effect intended, the German note was met by the curt and decided reply, that Belgium considered the laws existing were quite sufficient, and saw no reason for any alteration. The telegraphic wire merely gives the substance of the note and the reply, and we are left to imagine the effect this sturdy repudiation of interference with its affairs had upon the equananimity of the modern Reformer. When the deadly struggle does come, as come it must, it will be found that while France has profited by her dearly -bought experience, Germany has pursued a suicidal policy which has alienated millions of those whose strong arms wreathed her victorious brows with laurels, and clipped the wings of the eagles of France. History we are told repeats itself, and when next the gauntlet is thrown down, and Gaul and Teuton meet in the death struggle, the Kaiser Wilhelm will have cause to declare, with the English monarch, in speaking of the persecuted Catholics, after the battle of Fontenoy, " Cursed be the laws which have lost me the services of such soldiers."