The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-03-13 00:00:00

"London, March 9."

CONTINENTAL OPINION ON THE
DISSOLUTION.

Writing from Vienna on Taesday night, the Correspondent
of the Daily Telegraph says
:-
"Some months ago, on hearing that Lord Beacons-
field was rather seriously indisposed, the Emperor
Franz Josef exclaimed, 'May God spare that man's
life.' His Majesty expressed in that single phrase a
feeling which has been growing stronger in this country
every day since Count Andrassy met Lord Beaconsfield
at the Berlin Congress. In Court and Government
circles England's foreign policy is identified with
the person of the Prime Minister, Lcrd Beaconsfiela's
speeches, even on topics that do not directly concern
Austro.Hungary, are more closely scanned than those
of any other statesman in Europe; and the friendly
manner in which, from time to time, his lordship las
Aimed to this country, has given the utmost satisfac-
tion. At one time, not so very long ago, there was
some apprehension at headquarters that the Liberals
were gaining ground. Mr. Gladstone's tour in Scot-
land was followed with keen interest, and this Go.
vernment seemed to be under the impression that.
the efforts of the ex-Premier were likely to
produce considerable effect, A good deal that
has taken place since then, and particularly the result
of the Livernool and Southwark elections, has served
to remove that impression, and to reassure Austrian
politicians with regard to the future. The news that
the dissolution of Parliament has been decided upon
is consequently, received favourably. Austrian
statesmen confidently anticipate that the Conservative
majority will be strengthened in the new Parliament.
Tney consider that a Liberal victory would not only
disturb existing relations between Austria and Eng-
land, but might very seriously compromise the peace
of Eirope. The higher you get in the official
world the stronger you find is this utter mistrust
of English Liberals. It is evident to me, from the
intercourse I have with people whose opinian is
of the greatest value on such a question, that the
alternative before English constituencies will be to
choose between Austria and Ratsla. Lord Beacons-
field's foreign policy, as regards Europe, is to a great
extent based upon, friendly relations with Austria,
and that Power herself is ready to make a coneider-
etnu sacritico to keep up a friendly understanding
with England. His lordship's opponents are regarded
here as being partially engaged to Russia, in the
eventuality of their gaining power. They are believed
to share Russia's hostility towards Austria, and
amongst all classes in this realm that hostility is most
cordially reciprocated."

The German Press awaits with more than usual
into:est the impending dissolution of the English Par.
liament (says the correspondent of The Times). The
following extract from an article on the subject in this
evening's National Zeitung (a Liberal organ) may safely
be taken to represent the average German opinion of
the head of Her Majesty's Government
"For the rest, one can only admit t,,at Lord Beaconsfield
is right in ascribing to the result of the next elections
an important influence on the course of events for peace
or war. Lord Baconsfle,d is one of the most active,
dexterous, and powerful statesmen who seek to counter-
act the war alliance between France and Russia.
His removal from office by an unfavourable majority
would be a heavy blow to pacific tendencies in
Europe, even though we also regard I.Ard Beaconsfield as no
apostle of peace, in so far as he might deem any war of ad-
vantage to England. With all his faults, however, L ,rd
Beaconsfield at this moment Is the statesman of all in Eng-
land from whom most is expected in the way of an energetic
European policy ; nay, he is, perhaps, the only one. And as
things appear at present, too, we do not doubt of his success
in the slightest."