Telegram Herald

ENGLAND MUST BE PEACEFUL.

Almost concurrent with the news that the recent ill feeling between England and Turkey over the formation of an extensive English coaling station on the island of Thasos comes the report, told on our cable dispatches this morning, that there is considerable excitement in English diplomatic circles over the alleged purpose of Russia to secure a naval station in the Corean peninsula. Great Britain will undoubtedly make a vigorous protest against such proceedings on the part of Russia, and well she may. But the contest will end with the protest. Important as is the prevention of such a movement to England, there is no occasion to expect a conflict of arms. And a reason for this prediction may be found outside of the fact that her right to interfere, if the Corean government shall consent to the arrangement, is questionable.

Before Great Britain plunges into a war which is liable to demand a very considerable number of soldiers, it will be well for her to consider from whence the soldiers are to come. To be effective, soldiers must be in sympathy with the cause for which they fight. Great Britain has plenty of subjects in India and in her colonies in general, but the trouble is they are not all of the kind which make effective soldiers. What she needs is loyal Britons and Irishmen. There are plenty of the former, but they are poor stuff to make soldiers of. They are inferior in military quality, and their demand to the British lion is such an one as inclines them to shed more of their own blood. The colonists are, perhaps, not so inferior to the inhabitants of the mother country in fighting qualities, but the mass of them are opposed to war.

The weakening of the military strength, the government appreciates the truth as fully as anyone, and while it must maintain a tone of independence and spirit, it must wait for very grave necessity before it is likely to take a war step headed with any of the great powers.