The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-04 00:00:00

eke 3tattrbage Obertitre

SATURDAY. JANUARY 4, 1879.

NEW YEAR'S PROSPECTS.

It is customary, on entering upon a New Year,
not so much to dwell upon the past as to antici-
pate what the future may have in store for us.
The departed year has gone, whether its chances
have been seized, or its opportunities wasted ;
and as no amount of regrets or self-reproaches
will ever again bring it back, mankind as a rule
takes a philosophical view of the situation, and
without dwelling upon the past, which has
melted away for ever, tarns the mind in the
direction of that which is to come. What will
the New Year bring us—how will its flight affect
the nations—in what condition is it likely to
leave us? These and other questions irresistibly
come to the mind at a period when hope pre-
ponderates and good resolutions are in the as-
cendant. Let us then look around us, and
endeavour to gather from passing events, a
glimpse of our more immediate prospects.
There is one thing which the year brings,
that did not mark the arrival of its predecessor
—and that is, peace in Europe. Twelvemonths
ago Russia and Turkey were still at war, although
the conflict was virtually over. Its later stages
very nearly involved Great Britain in hostilities
which were, however, fortunately averted. rho
negotiation and signature of the Treaty of
Berlin
,marked the closing of the warlike chapter,
and men were trustful respecting the results. It
had, by common consent, rolled away the cloud
upon the Eastern horizon, trade would look up
once more, confidence be revived, and capitalists
again embark in all kiuds of enterprises, seeing'
that peace was assured. It certainly cannot be
said that these expectations have been realized.
Six months have gone by since the signing of
that famous instrument in the German capital,
and he would be bold indeed who declared that
there had been any signs of improvement. The
causes of industrial paralysis which has settled
do vu upon the land clearly lie too deep to be
removed all at once by the conclusion of a Treaty
of Peace between two foreign Powers. Whet
these causes may be Time must determine, but
as yet they have not been dealt with. It cannot
be from a lack of faith in the loyal execution of
the Treaty of Berlin by the various European
Pewees, for the most cursory ex trnivation of the
facts will prove that there is every hope of its
fulfilment bo9a in spirit and in letter.
There can be little doubt that the internal
state of the countries of Europe at the be,gining
of 1879 affords a security that no obstacles are
likely to be deliberately offered to the progress
of the Berlin settlement. The old year will
leave many a sad memory behind it; but it had
its lights as well as its shadows. One of the
reasons that it closed in a manner distinctly
favourable for the international peace of the
world was that its termination witness-ei so
much that was the reverse of encouraging in the
d enestic condition of individual states. There
is not a country which could at the present
moment contemplate the probability of embroil-
ment save with the greatest apprehension—not
fine to which peace abroad is not absolutely
ceiseniael for the preservation of order at home.
i.feigauil we hive a distress so widely pre-
valeotahat anyth.ng in the nature of an aggressive
fereige policy could only be attempted by a
ocatesman coed lent of the support of a thriving
and prosperous people. France is pledged to a
pJlicy of non-intervention, not only by the
spoken and written words of her leading states-
men, but by every consideration of political
wisdom and eo uinon sense. The Austro-
Hangarian.empire, which may be said almost to
have come within sight of disruption, after the
occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovnia, Cm cnly
hope to keep together by a preservation of the
peace of Europe. If we look at Germany, or
at Russia, there are potent arguments conclu-
sive enough against any present disturbance of
the Berlin settlement. There is Nihilism in
Russia and Socialism in Germany—both power-
ful foes to Imperial Unity, and would find their
deadliest opportunity in any flagrant breach of
European tranquility. The amount of suffering
in those two Empires is certainly very great,
and this is a very strong reason against embark-
ing in a foreign war. Independently of a con-
sumption of treasure, it is calculated that in the
last war with Turkey, Russia lost 100,000 men
killed, and 150,000 more were disabled bv wounds
Add to this the new conscription in Russia, the
crushing load of additional taxation, the decline
of the corn tra le, ant erime idea may be formed
of what the revival of strife would mean to the
heterogeneous and partially loyal conglomerate
of men and women ruled over by the Czar.
Thus we sec that every country in Europe is
flanked by difficulties and dangers at home
which IIIU3T, be intensified and aggravated by a
foreign w
The outlook at the beginning of 1879 is there-
fore a peaceful though not an assuring one.
Nations will ee like 4 to preserve the peace—
sonic as a necessity to their very existeuce.
There wii be no war for an idea, to use an ex-
pi 'aim) of the late Emperor Napoleon. The
universalt poverty which seems to have fallen
upon the civilized world has brought the people
face to face with social problems demanding
sooltion. The winter of popular discontent,
wean starvation reigns in once busy and flourish.
ing towns, is not a time in any country to launch
,eies-ey into war, which would not be tin ler-
Aken exeep.J in the gravest emergency. IVe.
xe ado from this consideration such wars as
those in Afghanistan or South Africa where
Englishmen can s:araely be said to contend
with foemen worthy of their steel. We refer to
such gigantic struggles as that between France
end Germany eight years ago, or to such a con-
: • must Prstia be`w-en two ceach Powers a:.

_
stud Risla, supposing tir?tu to come
.> Each- European nation has, at
r uough troubles to contend with
plug outside its borders to
seek for others far more serious awl of much
plata magnitude.