AND

No. 505. NEW SERIES.

[PRICE 1d.

CURRENT NOTES.

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH AND ARBITRATION. Peace and Arbitration are winning their way into prominence, even in Royal speeches. Queen Victoria, in her speech on the prorogation of Parliament, said :"My relations with all other Powers continue to be those of Peace and amity. A Convention nas been concluded with the King of Portugal, and has been ratified, defining the boundaries which separate the lominions and the spheres of influence of the two Crowns in Eastern Africa. I have made proposals to the President of the United States for submission to Arbitration of the difference between us as to the seal fishery in Behring's Sea. The negotiations are far advanced, but they are not yet concluded. A suspension of the seal fishery in those waters for the present year has intermediately been agreed to between the two Governments, in order to prevent an excessive destruction of the species, which there is reason to apprehend. The French Chambers have not yet approved of an agreement between myself and the French Republic for reference to Arbitration of certain differences with respect to Newfoundland, which was signed during the present year."

JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.

Like his celebrated fellow-countryman, Whittier, the late James Russell Lowell was eminently a Poet of Peace. His writings and his personal influence have largely contributed to an increase of mutual friendliness between the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race. Very familiar, and rightly so, are many of his quaint and original verses in the Biglow papers, such as the following sarcastic references to war, and to the apeing, in civic life, of martial show :

'Taint your eppyletts an' feathers

Make the thing a grain more right;
"Taint a follern your bell-wethers
Will excuse ye in His sight;

If you take a sword an' dror it,
An' go stick a feller thru,
Guv'ment aint to answer for it,
God'll send the bill to you.

Parson Wilber sez he never heard in his life

That th' apostles rigged out in their swallow-tail coats,

And marched round in front of a drum and a fife

To git some on 'em office and some on 'em votes.

UNITED STATES "JINGOISM."

It is to be regretted that at the great Republican Convention, held last month at Philadelphia, for the nomination of the next President of the United States, it was resolved to support Mr. Blaine's "spirited foreign policy," or, as the Times expresses it, a "combative policy." It is to be hoped that the final vote of the people will not give effect to this resolution; for its tenour is in direct contradiction to the pacific policy of recent Presidents of. the Union, who have distinctly given their adhesion to the principles of Peace and Arbitration.

THE SEAL AND LOBSTER.

In his recent speech at the Mansion House, the Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury, did not hold out any prospect of a speedy termination of the arbitral arrangements in reference to the United States sealers and the French lobster-catchers in Newfoundland. He said:"I never knew a period when there was less of foreign difficulty or trouble to ripple the tranquil surface of the time. It is, perhaps, a dangerous observation to make, for that was precisely the observation that I believe Lord Hammond made to Lord Granville a few days before the Franco-German war. But, without attending to that ominous reflection, I will repeat that I never knew European politics so tranquil as they are now. If we wish for disorder and anxiety, we have to go over to the new Hemisphere. In the North of America things, happily, are quiet enough. The ancient and long-continued controversies affecting the seal and the lobster drag their slow lengths along, with a calmness and a slowness of progression suited to the animals with which they are concerned. (Laughter.) Some day or other some future Prime Minister will congratulate, no doubt, the Lord Mayor on the fact that those controversies have been settled, for we must not imagine that the luxury of carrying on those negotiations will cease, for any Minister, for a considerable number of years."

VON MOLTKE ON MODERN MILITARY INFLUENCES.

Count Von Moltke's "History of the Franco-German War," just issuing, contains some very instructive observations, which will be found quoted on another page of the Herald.

WORKING MEN AND MILITARISM.

In referring to the Congress of Working Men at Brussels last month, the Daily News remarks:-"If there

is to be a Parliament of Labour, and if that is what the Congress of Brussels aims at being, there is one thing which it can do, and which would prove the utility, as it would test the powers, of such assemblies, beyond scepticism or cavil. Working men can make war impossible. Sovereigns dare not act, because they are afraid of each other. Public opinion advances very slowly, and has fits of timidity which engender panic. But armies cannot be kept up without taxes, and taxes are paid by workmen. A general strike of European labour against being robbed and fleeced and starved, in order that monarchs may play at soldiers and diplomatists may concoct alliances, would be irresistible and final. The transparent fallacy that nations maintain armaments only in self-defence would not impose upon the intelligence of a child, if an international proletariat pronounced for disarmament and Peace. What is called militarism' does involve the slavery of the masses. Until they rebel against it, and declare that neither in monarchies nor republics will they be sent out as food for powder and kept at home to be starved for glory, we shall not believe in the emancipation of labour."

BARRACK LIFE. ALDERSHOT.

A trial of police officers arising out of the case of Alice Millard, of Aldershot, took place last month at the Winchester Assizes, but a contemporary very properly observes that Aldershot was on its trial even more than the police, and the verdict does not establish its good name. The camp, or the purlieus of the camp, must be something of a hell, in those parts at least that meet the eye only of the police and of the patrols. The beershops, the dancing saloons, and the low lodging-houses seem all worthy of one another; but we very much doubt whether they are worthy of the army, or of those who are responsible to the nation for its welfare. The trial seems to afford a peep into an Augean stable that requires the immediate attention of the strongest man at Whitehall.

THE ANGLO-AMERICAN BOUNDARY.

The boundary line between the United States and the British possessions in North America once more threatens to become the subject of international dispute. A half century ago "Fifty-four Forty, or Fight" was a campaign cry, and the coming controversy begins at that line, from which President Polk retreated, the once northern boundary of Oregon Territory being the southern boundary of the U.S. Territory of Alaska. The discussion of the ownership of Revillagigedo, Pearse, and Wales islands, and of the line of the Portland Canal, will rival the contest over San Juan Island and San Rosario or De Haro Straits, decided in favour of the United States by the Emperor of Germany as arbitrator, in 1872. Each year that the boundary line between Alaska and British Columbia remains in question, increases the difficulty of determining it. Each year, settlements are increasing in numbers, more private interests are involved, and the region in dispute becomes more valuable to each claimant. Canadian maps now differ from the United States maps of that north-western region, and this boundary question may possibly provoke more international bitterness than the present Behring Sea dispute concerning the interests of a single company of fur-traders.

Address and an Album of Portraits were handed to Mr. Arthur O'Neill, in celebration of his fifty years of active public life in connection with the town and district. Special reference was made, by the Mayor (Mr. F. C. Clayton) and other speakers, to Mr. O'Neill's labours for the Peace cause. In reply, Mr. O'Neill described the vast social progress which had taken place during the past half century. He reminded his hearers that he had known the time when women worked in mines, and on hands and knees, with a rope round their necks, drawing the tubs; but he would leave those cases of degradation and suffering and speak of the general state of the country. There were two or three wars at once, rebellions in Ireland and Canada, martial law here, there, and everywhere. They were hanging people in rows; Daniel O'Connell told him that he had seen eighteen people, who had been convicted by martial law, hanging in a row, and every one of them he believed innocent-rioting, rick-burning, game law outrages everywhere. They could now hardly recognise that as their country, so greatly is it charged for the better.

PARLIAMENT AND PEACE.

In the House of Commons last month, Mr. Samuel Smith called attention to the oppressive system of taxation in India. The explanation of it was that the Government of India was far too costly. Considering the excessive poverty of India, the Government expenditure was enormous, particularly the military expenditure. Last year twenty-one millions were expended upon the Army, the largest amount ever reached, and in this sum was not included what was spent on special defences and upon strategic railways. He complained that the military expenditure was continually increasing, and said that no army in the world had such an enormous charge to bear for pensions as the Indian Army, a charge amounting to £4,250,000, which was nearly three times as much as the entire pay of the native troops, and a charge which swallowed up nearly the whole salt tax. This policy of wasteful expenditure would, unless it were checked, lead us some day into an abyss. Mr. W. R. Cremer gave notice of another motion in favour of Arbitration, for next year.

THE GREAT BATTLE-SHIP "HOOD."

The first-class battle-ship “Hood" was recently launched at Chatham Dockyard. Her total cost will be nearly £900,000. A new departure has been made in the case of the "Hood," her bows being elaborately decorated on the starboard side by a painting of the renowned Viscount Hood with his arms, and on the port side by a painting of Viscount Bridport with his arms. She is the largest battle-ship built in this or any other dockyard in the world. The length is 380 ft., breadth 75 ft., displacement 14,150 tons, horse-power 13,000, estimated to give a speed of 17 knots. She will be heavily armed with all the latest weapons of offence and means of defence, besides which she will carry numerous guns for field and boat service.

THE DELAGOA BAY RAILWAY ARBITRATION.

The Commission of Swiss jurists appointed to award the amount of the indemnity due by the Portuguese Government for the seizure of the Delagoa Bay Railway held a preliminary meeting last month, all the members being present. M. Blaesi, president of the Federal Court, who is chairman of the Commission, is assisted by M. Heusler, a professor at Basle, and M. Soldan, a Federal judge, M. Bruestlein acting as Secretary. The Commission

In his work, just issued, on "The History of the War of 1870-71," the late Count Von Moltke makes some remarks, on modern war influences, which are well worthy of being pondered by thoughtful persons. He says:

"The days are gone by when, for dynastic purposes, small armies of professional soldiers went to war to conquer a city, or a province, and then sought winter quarters and made peace. The wars of the present day call whole nations to arms; there is scarcely a family that does not suffer by them. The entire financial resources of the State are appropriated to the purpose, and the different seasons of the year have no bearing on the indefatigable progress of hostilities. As long as the nations continue independent of each other, there will be disagreements that can only be settled by force of arms; but, in the interest of humanity, it is to be hoped that wars will become less frequent, as they have become more terrible.

"Generally speaking, it is no longer the ambition of monarch s which endangers peace; the passions of the people, its dissatisfaction with interior conditions and things, the strife of parties, and the intrigues of their leaders, are the causes. A declaration of war, so serious in its consequences, is more easily carried by a large assembly, of which none of the members bear the sole responsibility, than by a single man, however high his position; and a peace-loving Sovereign is less rare than a Parliament composed of wise men. The great wars of the present day have been declared against the wish and will of the reigning Powers. Now-a-days, the Bourse has assumed such influence that it has the power to call armies into the field merely to protect its interests. Mexico and Egypt have been swamped with European armies, simply to satisfy the demands of the haute finance. To-day the question, 'Is a nation strong enough to make war?' is of minor importance than that, 'Is its Government powerful enough to prevent war?' Thus, united Germany has, up to now, used her strength only to maintain European Peace; a weak Government at the head of our neighbouring State, on the other hand, must be regarded in the light of a standing menace to Peace.

"The war of 1870-71 arose from just such relations. A Napoleon on the throne of France was bound to establish his rights by political and military successes. Only for a time did the victories, won by French arms in distant countries, give general satisfaction; the successes of the Prussian armies excited jealousy, they were regarded as arrogant, as a challenge; and the French demanded revenge for Sadowa. The liberal spirit of the epoch was opposed to the autocratic Government of the Emperor; he was forced to make concessions; his civil authority was weakened, and one fine day the nation was informed by its representatives that it desired war with Germany."

In another part of the same work, Count Von Moltke makes the following curious statement, showing the almost exclusive share which was permitted to himself in the direction of German war operations :

"I can assert that never during the campaigns of 1866 and 1870-71 was a council of war held.

"Except on marching or fighting days, a daily report was made at 10 a.m. to his Majesty, at which I, in company with the Quartermaster-General, read the news and reports received to him, and made fresh proposals based on them. The Chief of the Military Cabinet, the War Minister, and, in Versailles, as long as the headquarters of the Third Army were there, the Crown Prince also were present, but only as listeners. Sometimes the King asked them for information on some point or

THE SECRETARY IN HERTFORDSHIRE.

On Monday evening, 24th August, Dr. W. Evans Darby, Secretary of the Peace Society, lectured at St. Albans on "Remedies for War." The meeting was held in the Town Hall, and was well attended. It was presided over by the Mayor, W. G. Bennett, Esq., who was supported by Alderman J. Fisk, Alderman E. S. Wiles, Councillors R. Gibbs and W. Hurlock, Rev. H. W. Taylor (Baptist), and Messrs. Joseph Wiles, S. Cherry, S. Buttenshaw, H. Lewis, &c.

The meeting was opened by prayer by Rev. H. W. Taylor. The Chairman in a brief speech, in which he expressed approval of the principles and objects of the Society, and sympathy with its work, introduced the Lecturer, who was listened to attentively, and with frequently-expressed appreciation.

At the close of the lecture, a vote of thanks to the Lecturer and Chairman was moved by Alderman Fisk, who said that he considered the "Alabama" Arbitration among the prominent glories of Queen Victoria's reign; a sentiment which was Leartily endorsed by the meeting.

This was seconded in a very vigorous and excellent speech by Rev. H. W. Taylor, and carried unanimously. A collection was taken at the close of the meeting, which, after all expenses had been paid, yielded £1. 13s. 10d. to the fuuds of the Society.

A REAL AFRICAN HERO.

A writer in the Spectator sends the following narrative :The other day, as I was listening to some old familiar words which have been sounding now for eighteen hundred years and more, my mind travelled back to a fort in Algiers, the Fort des Vingt-quatre-Heures, made of huge blocks, which for three hundred years remained immovable and silent. But in 1853, a martyrdom which some people looked upon as an idle tale, others as a superstitious legend, was brought to light, and the very stones themselves, with undeniable witness, revealed the pathetic figure of the Arab martyr, Geronimo. Just 347 years ago, a little Arab baby was taken prisoner by some Spanish soldiers, and brought to Oran to be offered up for sale as a slave. The good Vicar-General, Juan Caro, bought him, and took him to his own house to educate him, and he baptised him under the name of Geronimo. When the child was eight years old, a few Arab slaves made their escape from Oran, and believing they were doing the boy a kindness, they took him with them; so for some years he lived with his people as a Mahommedan. But the holy faith which Juan Caro had planted in the child's heart had taken such firm root that his relations could not tear it out. He remained with them till he was twenty-five, and then he took a step which he knew no Arab could forgive, and which, if he should be recaptured, would lead him with certainty to suffering or death. He fled from his home and returned to the Vicar-General, and telling him of the dangers of his flight, he said, simply: "It is because I wish to live henceforth in the faith of the divine Saviour."

Juan Caro was so delighted, that he received the young Arab like a lost child, and Geronimo, on his side, could not show his benefactor love and gratitude enough. He soon entered the Spanish Guard as a paid soldier, and he performed such brave deeds that he attained very high military honours. But the height of his joy and ambition was gained when he heard that the Vicar-General gave his consent and approval to a marriage between him and a young Arab girl (also a convert) with whom he had fallen in love. For ten years nothing but happiness shone on his life-he won the respect and confidence