The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1884-01-01 00:00:00

Monet Conti' exprtoo,

DORORREITSR, JANUARY Id. Mt

It le always satiefactory when the g.te a • New
Year opso• to a peaceful prospect. Europe may he
said to offer this pleasing picture at the present
moment, and although it is impoesible to avoid
tits recollection that the same elements of disturb-
ance that octet now existed at the commencement

aithe past year, they are at all events hidden from
Or eyes. Were it not for the policy of exterial
adventure pursued by France, the sword would almost
Seem put into its sheath. There is no European
nation just now which is not within it. own borders
enjoying the blessings of pesos. It might almost be
anticipated that if ooe more year should pass over
without disturbance, the long.talked of era will be in
sight when diearnament, and rp,t augments! armies,
trUl be the chief thing thought of. So far as England
Is concerned, it is well known that she has no ambit-
ious aims on the Continent. If the same cannot be
said of certain other countries, there is the consolation
that, owiog to the unremitting efforts of one particular
Power to prom de alliances, the chance of renewed war
Is ren limed more and more rem ,te. No one can fore-
tell p events, bat it seems probable that peace
between Germany and France id for some time to
some mowed. Thanks to the Power alluded to, peace
is being effectually premiered not only in the West but
In the East. It is imagined by many that the Eastern
Question IA gra 'wally narrowing itself to contention
between Russia and Austria, and no doubt If settle-
ment waa left exclusively iv these Powers, there would
moo be. conflagration. Happily, there are restraining
influenoss. Were Russia to make a move, Austria
would iostattly find • sympathizer in Gerolllllly.
Thus we see that a strung military Power
when unambitious can exert an immense in-
fluence for goal, and keep back forces which, on.
checked, might set the continent in flame.. lint if it
be urged that this state of things is somewhat Incom-
patible with dream of disarmament, let it be emnem•
bored that every year of unbrokea pews Is • great
pin towards the postponement of war altogether.
There is no moon why nations, like individuals, should
not, in time, pitied of the very attitude of resistance;
and if it seems an idle fancy to talk of disarmament
at the present moment, the desideratum win be sighed
for when those countries now opposed to each other
have come to understand fully their best interests and
their reel strength. The year that is post was one of
alliance, rather than of schemes. Italy hem been still
further bound to the Central Powers of Europe,
and Spain has been brought in the fold. The
moral influences involved in these combina-
tions mad convince Franco that Europe is at learn
Impressed with a desire for peace No one expecte
that either Italy or Spain would count much in the
event of • struggle between France and Germany.
Yet their adhesion to the cause of European quiet is
a proof that they themselves have no ambitious
designs, and that what they chiefly need Is an oppor-
tunity for developing end improving their resources.
The alliances we have seen grow up durinr the peat
few years is • guarantee to some extent to- continued
pesos, and aa such will receive the hearty approval of
all disinterested beholders,