The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, JUNE 1, 1908. THE FRENCH PRESIDENT ENGLAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2205, 1 June 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, JUNE 1, 1908. THE FRENCH PRESIDENT ENGLAND.

M. Fallieres, present head of tlio French -Republic,’ has just paid a short visit to London during which he has evidently been treated with tiie most cordial hospitality. He has been personally welcomod by Britain’s chief representatives, and also by His Majesty King Edward, and what is still more significant, ho has been heartily received by tho people as a whole. All this makes excellent reading, for it indicates to us at this remote distance from tho centre of the world’s affairs that the relations of the two nations concerned are such as will make for international peace. There is no definite alliance existing between Britain and France, and it is generally considered that it would be unwise to suggest one despite the fact that tho relationships of tho two neighbors are moro conspicuously f mindly than they have been at any time previously. To definitely establish an Alliance involves certain specified undertakings in regard to possible international complications that would possibly bring about the very difficulties it was intended to avoid. Thus Germany would almost certainly look upon an Anglo-French Alliance as aimed aggressively at tne Kaiser’s subjects, and, putting the matter in vulgar parlance, “the fat would bo in tho fire” immediately. The present position is that the An-glo-French Convention sighed in Loudon in April, 1904, is still in force. By this treaty France gave England a freo hand in Egypt, and received in return a freo hand in Morocco, and certain concessions in other parts of the world. It marked the close of tho quarrel between England and France, which had been a featuro of European history for .more than two hundred years, and its completion was one of the most important of King Edward’s diplomatic achievements. - AVlien it is remembered that similar agreements have been come to by Britain and Spain, and also with Russia, it will be seen that British associations in Europe are at present of a very satisfactory aiaturo. Germany’s position as a keen.,commercial rival, and the Kaiser’s . aggressively warlike policy, havo made it difficult for these two Powers to establish such cordial relationships as have been found possible by the heads of other nations. However, the reception given to the German Emperor when he last visited London must ■have shown him that anti-German sentiment is not nearly so strong in England as ho had supposed, whilst the treatment .by the -Germans of the English editors who travelled through Deutsclieland a few months earlier had a simlarly beneficial effect. It only requires an entento between Britain and Germany to place the prospects of peace in the Old AVorld oil a better footing than they have been for a century, and after all there is no real reason why such cannot- be arranged. . Tho chief difficulties in tho way at present appear to bo the amazing facility of the Kaiser to deliver himself of speeches that are, to say the least, indiscreet, and the still more remarkable eagerness of the yollow press .in both countries to exaggerate the utterances referred to. So long as a small section of the press is permitted to take every opportunity to inflame tho minds of the people, persuading them that British and Gorman interests aro necessarily hostile, so long will the peaco of the world he endangered. Until the milleninm comes very much nearer than it appears just now both Britain and Germany will be compelled to pursue their mud competition in navy-build-ing, but that/fact, should in no way bar tho possibility of mutual understanding in the present which may prepare'tho way in subsequent years for some more definite guarantee of lasting peace. In the meantime the' circumstances connected with the.visit of the French President to London, while giving not the slightest cause of offence to German susceptibilities, should provide a wholesome objectlesson for the rest of Europe on tho subject of international relationships.