Untitled

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 315, 22 June 1889, Page 2

AN AFTER DINNER SPEECH, An after-dinner speech is not usually regarded with much respect. The hilarity of the occasion is generally taken as an excuse for any nonsense that may be uttered, and a complete relaxation of the ordinary restraints which tend to conserve the dignity of prominent personages is at such times allowable. Whether this may be so in the case of royalty is a point which has not often been thought worthy of consideration. But true it is that a recent after-dinner speech has caused a ferment of excitement throughout the civilised world. In toasting Prince Nikita, the Czar is credited with the statement that the Prince is the only sincere and loyal friend of Russia. If the word “ only ” had been left out not much more would have been thought about it, but the phrase as it stands conveys a deep meaning, and its significance has been the means of startling Europe. There does not appear to be the least reason to doubt that Russia’s object is to unite the two kingdoms of Montenegro and Servia under an administration who would be a mere puppet, bound to obey the orders of the Czar. There are signs that an attempt to achieve this purpose will be made at a time not far distant, and it is plain that Russia is encouraging the Prince of Montenegro to aspire to the throne of Servia. The telegrams are so barren of information that can indicate the real meaning of the new move, that it is impossible to arrive at any reliable conclusion, but they indicate the re-open-ing of the Eastern question. To our mind, however, all the talk about a war in the spring may be dismissed as hardly being worthy of consideration. It is to the personal interests of such a vast number of people to keep up the uncertainty and magnify the real danger, that all we hear must be accepted with suspicion. Probably Russia’s sole desire at present is to bring Austria to such terms as will assist the Muscovite on his road to Constantinople. By encouraging Austria’s advance to Salonica, that power's consent might be obtained to Russia’s own plan. Though in the end such a policy would be disastrous to Austria, it is quite possible that her statesmen would yield to circumstances instead of battling with them. At present there appears to be a great deal too much made of the trouble.