The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-12-01 00:00:00

THE FOREIGN OUILOOK.

It seems to have been somewhat too hastily
assumed at the Leeds Conference in the middle
of October that next session would be eevoted
exclusively to Parliameetary Reform. The truth
is that October is too early for the Cabinet itself
to settle what shall be placed before Parliament
four months later. In these days of swiftly
moving events a great deal happens in a third
part of a year—quite sufficient, indeed, to upset
any finite calculation. It was in the mouth of
October, 1853, that the Catduet of Lord Aber-
deen, in which Mr. Gladstone was Chancellor of
the Exchequer, decided to devote the then en-
ing session to the consideration of Parliaroen-
tars- Reform, and we all know what came of
that resolution. A great European war broke
, out in which England became envolved, and
ender these circumstances debate e on amend-
ing the representation of the people were about
'as practical as an effort to determine the height
of the mountains of the moon. The Reform Bill
was, indeed, introduced in the Session of 1854
by Lord John Russell ; but war is such an
absorbing topic that the measure was speedily
withdrawn, the minds of men being totally un-
prepsred to go into the subject then.
, ndications are not wanting that foreign
, affairs. will occupy a considerable portion of next
4
session—more, indeed, than has been the case
• -eating the existence of the present Parliament.
he increasing restlessness of France gives rise
to considerable uneasiness in many of the Courts
' of Europe. It is not too much to say that
' 14rence is a disturbing influence on three
' ecn'inents—Europe, Asia, and Africa. Her
relations with Germany just now are of any-
thing but a cordial character, as is shown by the
visit of the Crown Prince to Spain, as a set-off
-against the treatment which King Alfonso ex-
:l e riencod in the streets of Paris some weeks
lig°. She is and has been for some time past
regaged in a hot quarrel with China, which may
yet result in war; we know the disturbance she
has been making in Madagascar; we remember
the expedition to Tunis ; and that France is
. jealous of English influence in Egypt there can
. be no question. At the time France was at war
• with Germany thirteen years ago,. British inte-
rests were not affected, but the struggle was
A etched with keen anxiety here because France
is our nearest neighbour, and we were disposed
to sympathise with a gallant people which had
been outgeneralled, outnumbered,, and beaten.
'lb° policy of the Empire was condemned for
iliat war, and it was argued that if a Republic
,e ere set up, which wouA have no dynasty to
settle upon an insecure throne,. France would
t ()impose herself to rest,, and to the development
1 ox the industrial resources of her people. In
1 ibis it must be cenfessed the civilized world has
0
. I can disappointed. France is no more at rest
1
ender a Republic than she was under a monarchy.
. _
'. ..:.1. Gambetta was quite as fond of foreign expedi.
tions as the Emperor Napoleon.. To us it does
seem extraordinary how pleased a Frenchman
can be with a little tinselled glory._ And thus

it came to pass that France,.instead of attending
to her own business at home,. has, been, pursuing
the ignis futuus of conquest in Tunis,. Blada-
gesear,. and Tomah]. It would be marvellous
If in meddling right and left France did not
0 m ewhere or other come into collision, with. the
interests of Great Britoi 1. Then. of course,
however peaceably disposed we might feel in-
clined to be, we should be compelled to protect
ourselves;. and the possibility of unpleasant
relations, with France is lust one of those con-
tingencies which might interfere Ile= kleErgiOn
Siith the smooth course of domestic legislation.
The terrible disaster in the Soudan also tells
us that Parliamentary reform and London
_

Manicipal reform will not have exclusive audience
ot the Legislature next session. It raises, the
whole question of British policy in. Egypt,. The
4...pedition was commanded. by an English
officer and, it has been alleged, that it was carried
oat under the sanction of our Government.
of.course, is a matter which will form the
subiect of debate in. Parliament.. Our inter-
terence in, Egypt has, from the first had its
expediency questioned, by. a large party of
politicians in this country, but there is no doubt
tthat it was approved by the majprity of the
tleople. Still, it must at the same time, be
Lorne in mind that our policy last year was
crowned with success at Tel-el-Kebir, whereas
3ow ten thousand men are said to, have been
utterly deEtroyed whilst under the lead of
English officers. It is as yet too early to esti-
mate the full result of this catastrophe upon the
fanatical Mussulman, population of the East, but
it has unquestionably produced, a painful im•
preasion in the West. The calamity itself and
the effects which will probably grow out of it,
will certainly occupy Parliamentary notice and
diminish the time which it had been anticipated
would be devoted to domestic legislation.