The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 30, 1908. PEACE OR WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2309, 30 September 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 30, 1908. PEACE OR WAR.

Is England to 'have peace or war with Germany? This topic, which has been under discussion in the Old Country for many years, now appears to 1 invo reached an acute phase, dhe time has already passed when Gorgany’s naval policy could ho sneered at, or tho possibility of her attacking England treated as the .idle droam of a shriekor or firebrand. Lord Cromer quito recently, when discussing tho Old Ago Pensions scheme, warned his peers of the danger of pledging eloveai millions of tho nations’ revenue whon tho possibility of Var with Germany rendered it essential that the public purse should be in a position to stand the heavy strain of war expenditure. Lord St. Aldwyn, discussing the national finances, declared that “If tho dockyard at Rosyth is not ready in tho event of a possiblo naval war in tho North Sea, the responsibility would rest upon tho Government. At the present moment there is not a single naval dockyard on the whole east coast of this country capablo of receiving a ship of the ‘Dreadnought’ class.” The “Manchester Guardian” is quite free of .all taint of being an alarmist paper, but its measured words on this matter, which wo now quote, deserve the most- serious attention, and the rising of Parliament and tho heat of the -summer are no excuse for the neglect of the issues there set out. The “Guardian” says: The problem of naval economies is neither more nor less than the problem of a political understanding with Germany. Other elements, doubtless, may be distinguishable. One may’ note and regret tho disturbing effect on the Estimates of the growth in the size of warships; one may argue against the proposed expenditure at Rosyth by an appeal to the principles of high strategy, and ono may compile statistical tables to sliow how essentially misleading are the statistical tables

of the Navy League, hut it is not in this way that we shall escape great increases in naval expenditure and all their acovnipanying risks, v

Tho only chance is by creating between England and Germany a feeling similar to that between England and France, and compared with this every other object of English foreign policy is unimportant. Not by what its views on Macedonia or Persia or the Congo were, but by its success in establishing an understanding with Germany, will the future judge’’"the foreign policy of the present Liberal Government. The time is perilously short, considering how strong aro tho opposing tendencies and Jiow soon the decision about our naval programme will be forced upon us. The problem, broadly stated, is this—how to set in motion certain pacific tendencies between England and Germany which would make it possiblo for this country to avoid special programmes of now construction between now and 1911. We say 1911, because in that year Germany should, unless fresh Naval Acts are passed, revert to the old standard of one new battleship a year. If we can hold our hands till 1911 the crisis, should have passed, for even though the Government might wish to keep up tho higher rate of construction it would probably be unable to carry tho necessary legislation if the German nation were not in a nervous and' irritable state. On the other hand a great increase in our programme next year is pretty sure to foster that state and commit both countries to a ruinous rivalry of which no man can see the end. The kay to tho whole situation is an understanding with Germany or tho beginning of one sufficiently marked to quiet people’s nerves during tho next few critical years.” Another recent pronouncement is that of a prominent Labor M.P., Mr H. M. Hyndman, who recently wrote in the “Clarion” as follows:

There is not the slightest doubt that Germany, under the leadership of Prussia, is steadily making ready at heavy cost, which the German Empire at present can ill afford, for a crucial naval engagement in the North Sea, followed by an invasion of this country. This is perfectly well known to all our leading politicians, and conclusive

evidence of the truth of this statement is on record in tho War Office and at the Admiralty. Everything is being got ready with that scrupulous care' and minute attention to detail for which the Germans have been famous in military matters for nearly half a century. ■lll regard to the naval preparations no concealment whatever is oven attempted. Within six years from date, it is openly admitted on both sides of the North Sea that the German fleet, designed and built specially for this one object, will be in a condition, if we allow things to take their course, to challenge our own Navy in home waters and very possibly to win. German

naval officers avowedly look forward to the day of the great engagement, and drink their toasts, even in the presence of foreign guests, to their own success in the approaching encounter. This deliberate intention on the part of Germany to fight out tho question

of our naval security to a finish is •universally recognised on the Continent of Europe; and the most in-

iluontial classes in Germany, as Englishmen who know German thoroughly, who visit Germany ovory year, and ore very friendly with Gormans, readily admit, proclaim that ‘England is the enemy.’ These aro facts which are beyond disputo and which aro tho natural and, indeed, inevitable outcomo of intonso coramomwl and political rivalry, as human affairs are <»rdored to-day. Tho Germans also have quito as much light to chal-

lenge England’s naval supremacy •and to conquer Groat Britain, if thoy can, ns our fathers had to beat down tho n aval pretensions of Holland and Franco or to conquer India and Egypt. ‘I will make

war upon you,’ cried Napoleon, rushing up to our Ambassador in his aiito-chanibor on tho rupture of tho peace of Amiens. ‘That, Sire,’ said tho Englishman, ‘is your affair.’ ‘I will annihilate you,’ ‘That, Sire,’ was the answer, ‘is our affair.’ Wo aro faco to face to-day with a much groator danger than any that over threatened shores from Napoleon; a danger being deliberately worked up for us day ■after day, month after mouth, and yoar after year in a cool, calculating fashion, such as tho groat Corsican had neither tho time nor the

means to devote to his projects. We could quote further from various liowspapors and magazines to tho same purpose, but sufficient has boon said to show that tho leaders of opinion in tlio Old Country have no doubt as to tho intentions of Germany. Fortunately tho trouble, sorious though it is, is still a matter for tho statesman and diplomat rather Mian for tho genoral. War between Germany and England without a cause is unthinkable. Preparation for a war without reason is murder. If there are causes it should not bo beyond tho limits of statesmanship to remove the causes and to bring about agreement and fratornity.

Several Jotters on the No-license question aro printed in to-day’s supplement. Tho committee of the Gisborne Bowling Club will moot this morning at--11 o’clock at tho Masonic Hotel. The annual meeting of the Turnnganui Bowling Club will bo hold in the Royal Hotel this evening at 7.30. A complete list of local mails, both outward and inward, is published in to-day’s supplement. “Hunting tho Wild Pig” is a fascinating subject which is treated in a most realistic fashion by a contributor from tho Ruakituri district, whoso article is published in to-day’s supplement. At the citizens’ concert to-morrow night, in addition to the programme already arranged, Mrs. Howie (To Itangi Pai) has consented to sing Cowen’s well-know n song, “Tho Promise of Life.” Captain Jenkins and Quartermaster Parker of the local branch of the Salvation Army will leave shortly for the Coast and surrounding districts in connection with the customary collection in aid of tho Self-Denial Fund. With refqrenco to the outbreak of fire at Quinn’s stables on Monday night, it now appears that tlio outbreak was not duo to a defective gas meter, as stated, but to a join in a gas pipe that had received rough usago.

Mr. T. Adair, who returned on Saturday from an extended tour abroad, kept a diary in which ho noted from time to time liis impressions of foreign places and people. The matter is particularly interesting, and Mr. Adair having kindly placed histootes at our disposal, the first instalment is published in to-day’s supplement.

The Children of Mary recently gave an" evening to Miss McConvillo and Miss Norah Buchanan in honor of their approaching marriages. The Children of Mary presented their guests with two silver teapots, and the presentations were made by tlio Rev. Father Lane, who spoke in high terms of both young ladies.

Owing to His Majesty’s Theatre being engaged, the Salvation Army Bioscope Co. will make their first appoarance in tho country districts. The company will bo at Te Karaka on October Bth, and at Waerenga-a-liika and Ormond on the two following evenings. The Gisborne performances will be in the Thoatro on October 10thj 11th, and 12th. On Tuesday evening next the Gisborne Orchestral Society will givo its second subscription concert for tho 1908 /season. There was an exceptionally heavy booking when the box plan was opened at Mr. Miller’s at 10 o’clock yesterday morning, and a second ballot liad to be made. To save inconvenience the management requests that’all subscribers will book their seats , as early as possible. Some difficulty is being experienced in driving the piles for the .railway bridge at Willows Crossing owing to the uncertainty of the formation of the riverbed. Some of the piles liavo been driven 80ft without touching a firm formation. As soon as tho bridge, is completed the railway station will be shifted across tho stream and another three miles of lino made ■ready. At a meeting of tho Executive of the East Coast Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals held in Town ley’s Hall yeserday afternoon, tho conditions for the competitive essays in connection with the iSocioty) were decided. The subject is to bo “Kindnes to Animals,” and the competition is open to all pupils attending the District Public Schools. Ten prizes in all will bo given by tho Society, and the best essay will be published in the local papers.

A Pi-ess Association telegram from Dunedin states that Mr. J. R. Kirk, Mayor of Naseby, who has purchased Mr. W. D. Lysnar’s legal business at Gisborne,"; leaves to-day for liis new homo. Ho was entertained by the Borough'Council and residents 0 f Naseby last evening, and presented with handsome pieces of plate. Several complimentary references to Mr. Kirk’s abilities and popularity were in a do. At tlio Polico Court tho Magistrate,,.legal pratcitioners, and Inspector "ed Polico expresed their regret at Mr. Kirk’s departure, and referred to the pleasant relations that hud existed with Jsim.

At last night’s meeting of the Borough Council, Cr. Bright protested ■against tho manner in which the Mayor conducted the proceedings. Said he: “The greater part of tho time is spent in your Worship’s frying to force your opinions down our throats, and in recriminations backwards and forwards between yourself and individual Councillors. No Councillor should be allowed to speak moro than once to the motion, and you should bo satisfied with' the same privilege. Tho way tilings are going on we shall be here all night.”—-The Mayor replied that the latitude given had been due to his desire to havo the subject thoroughly ventilated. — Cr. Bright’s protest was. however,, effective, and for some little time lifter the proceedings were carried out according to the rules of public business. ’

Dominion Day, with perfect weather, passed quietly, and the usual display of bunting was made on the business premises and Government buildings. The only thing worth recording was the surprising number of wash-hand basins disposed of, and this week its two fancy patty puns (your own choice (for one penny at Parnell’s Popular Saturday Sales, 3rd inst. only.