NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE French are in a fever of patriotism once more. The Russian Government has decided to station a squadron in the Mediterranean, and it is to pay a complimentary visit to Toulon. The authorities intend to receive it with the highest honours ; and it is more than probable that during the festi- vities very imprudent things will be said. This causes some anxiety, more especially as it is rumoured that the French intend to lease a naval station to the Russians, probably on the coast of Tunis. It may even be Biserta. The new pro- ject alarms the Sultan, who has thus a Russian Fleet to the west of him ; Italy, which will be directly threatened if the war breaks out ; and oven England, which sees the French Fleet practically strengthened for a descent on Egypt. It will be necessary to strengthen our fighting- force and coal-supply in the Mediterranean, and it is possible that Germany may contemplate a naval station in that sea. She could obtain one from Italy, or, under certain circum- stances, from Spain, which relies much upon the Triple Alliance to protect her reversionary claims in Morocco. The Czar is understood to be as peaceful as ever ; but it certainly cooks as if his advisers were preparing for eventualities both as against the League of Peace and Great Britain herself. All one can say is, that the responsibility on the Admiralty to be completely ready has been seriously increased.
