The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-04-19
Britain's Growing influence.


The Berlin correspondent of the Sydney Nor
ming Herald thus writes of the vast development
of British influence and power within the last
few years sf Berlin is the focus Of the Oriental
Question but, with the departure Of the last
Plenipotentiary, the much-heightened interest OF
the German population faded again away. The
Germans are satisfied to know that Prince Bis
marck watches the play, and at the necessary
moment would throw his II card in but they
expected to see Austria adopt an important part
in the Oriental disturbances, as only by a de-
cided Austrian policy 1t would have been possible
to prevent a one-sided solution in favor ofRussia.
After the last events In Austria this superstition
has been much shaken. Vi the transactions
there no other picture seems to be correct but
that, after the Parliamentary resolutions, Aus
tria shall declare her insolvency as q European
great Power. In Italy and Spain the attempts
on the lives of their s0yereigns have for the mo
ment excited the whole strength of these coun-
tries, only to keep off the social revolution.
France alone seems now in the full power of her
strength, and is preparing IN quiet and precau-
ton for the re-entrance into the rivalry on the
territory of the international interests of Europe.
England voluntarily makes concessions in Con-
stantinople and in Cairo which come to meet the
French interests halfway. But the French
nation is not without the feeling that England is
the principal actor, and that in the eyes of the
Orientals her own diplomacy only appears as a
kind of dame dhonour, and that though she
nOdI0 Int " 0GNCsOP ANA AAN-N 49, OAJ
plays q second part. The English power and the
English demands grow all the more quickly. 1t
is difficult to believe that England's position in
Europe has go quickly changed. 1t is not very
long since the significance OF England was very
small for all International affairs, while to-day
nobody can deny that the Cabinet of Beaconsield
represents q new and powerful era of the English
history. The power and strength of England are
untiring all over the world we see the effects OF
it. And since the last two years. and particular
ly since the Berlin Congress, we see England
begin enterprises of the greatest Importance. In
Constantinople, Syria, Armenia, Egypt, Cyprus,
in Africa, and near the Indus, everywhere Eng
land goes on fortifying her influence, never q
ackward step is done, every day shews US a step
onward. And all these steps in the Orient are
for the moment directed against Russia. lord
Beaconsfeld has shown the greatest wisdom of q
statesman, namely, to wait his time. He has
taken hold of the proper moment, when Russia
was fatigued, when she hoped, with the help of
Europe, to fulfil her purpose and to accomplish a
success, with which she would have been salts
fed. In this moment England rises against
Russia, armed with all care. England reigns in
Constantinople, not Russia; England reigns in
Erzeroum, Smyrna, Damascus and Mesopotamia,
not Russia England is advancing towards the
weak Russian position at Kabul. Whether the
Germans approve of this powerful policy of Eng
land or not, they certainly cannot refuse their
admiration of England's wonderful activity. This
active policy, which includes so many advantages
for England, will most likely not allow the
Treaty of Berlin to be fulfilled peacefully. Not
that Lord Beaconsield will give offence against
any of the provisions, but Russia cannot retire
before England in the Orient without making
use of the sword. A very lively exchange of
kilograms between the Cabinets of st. Petersburg
and st. James has already taken place, and
though we hear the repeated assurance that
friendly relations exist between the two Powers,
still these assurances are not believed in Europe.
The only reason why Russia seems in a peaceful
turn of mind may result from the fact that
Prince Bismarck will give no active assistance to
Russia. In st. Petersburg this has been well
understood, and Russia is therefore as yet inclined
to fulfil the Berlin treaty. A great deal of in
terest is now given to the transactions in Afghan
istan. The advance of the English troops is
followed with great interest. and the success
which has so far been accomplished by England
gives general satisfaction. 1t is by many feared
that the troubles in Afghanistan may take up too
much of the English forces and not leave her
power enough for her other actions but we
think that, apart from her e%xertions in Afghan
istun, England will be able and quite prepared to
meet any other eVentualities.