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What is truth? A book I purchased for one shilling from a second hand shop at Broadstairs 25 years ago has so much to say about the Common Market, European Economic Community, European Union, and the future United States of Europe. Written by W.E. Vine, MA, it is entitled 'The Roman Empire in the Light of Prophecy' and subtitled 'The rise, progress and end of the fourth world-empire'. It was published by Edinburgh printers Pickering & Inglis in 1916, during the horrors of the Great War, at a time surely when the peoples of a war-ravaged continent would welcome the vision of a united Europe with open arms. The author took a different view, one that appears to be shared by many in the UK's free press, including Sun political editor Trevor Kavanagh, who wrote: "The lurch towards a superstate will embarrass Mr Blair, who last week launched a campaign for closer ties with Europe". Mr Vine proposed that a future economic and military alliance called the European Federation would become the foundations of an evil empire, headed by an all powerful Emperor god. He predicted that a re-formed Roman Empire would emerge to re-unite Europe where others (Napoleon and Hitler) would fail. "Agencies are already at work," he wrote, "for the establishment of a confederacy of European States . . . the movement towards confederacy is doubtless to receive an impetus from the great upheaval in Europe." Ominously Mr Vine even talks of the formation of a Euro-army, which will evolve by stealth as the EU fills the power vacuum left by the fall of the Iron Curtain. He claims a circular issued during the Great War by an influential committee recommends that "union of states shall be economical, political and legal with an international army as a common guarantee, and the European Federation should become the political battle-cry for the masses in all European nations." "When the Governments are willing, when the public opinion of all peoples forces them to be willing, there is no doubt but that reasonable and practical union of nations will prove to be as possible and natural as a union of provinces." The pro-Federation committee calls upon the peoples of Europe to suffer the diplomatists no longer, "to dispose of them like slaves and by militarism to lash them to fury against each other. "Never and nowhere should a member of any body or Government be elected who is not an advocate of the Federation." Hail Caesar One British newspaper, The Sun, uncannily parallels Mr Vine's book, to judge by its headlines and articles. A major Euro story during 2000 carried the headline 'ROMANO EMPEROR' and tag 'Brussels boss wants to control our taxes and armed forces'. It could have been taken from Mr Vine's book. It told of how EU chief Romano Prodi set out his vision of Europe as a new Roman Empire, that would wrest power from nation states. Trevor Kavanagh wrote: "He (Prodi) wants to make Tony Blair (UK PM) and fellow national leaders surrender control of all key decisions taken by individual parliaments - and he plans to rob states of their veto against any decision on vital matters such as tax and armed forces that have been approved by an EU majority." The Mirror on the other hand favours links with Europe and accuses the Sun of "rabid criticism" with a leader written hitting out: "The critics of the European defence force have one thing in common. "They miss no opportunity to attack anything European. They don't care what is best for Britain and the British people.They are the real enemies of this country's secure and prosperous future" HAIL CAESAR (Sketch above): This is Caesar Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, born 63 BC, and was grand-nephew and heir of Julius Caesar. He obtained supreme power over Roman dominions by victory over Anthony at Actium in 31 BC. Proclaimed Emperor, 27 BC, by the Roman Senate, which confered on him the title Augustus, he died AD 14 in his 76th year. History repeats itself Will history repeat itself in Europe - could we really heading back to the slavery of Rome as portrayed in Ben Hur, Spartacus and The Gladiator as W.E. Vine predicted in 1916? Look at your daily paper, listen to the radio, watch CNN - but remember Rome wasn't built in a day, it began with one city, then a nation, then the continent, before finally the first Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, emerged to assume absolute power. Whether you are anti-Euro, a Euro-phile or sceptic, or just 'sitting on the fence', Mr Vine's 107-page book written 85 years ago does appear to have a familiar ring. Seven whole pages from the book can be seen by clicking on Vine's View above, and more will be added, depending upon your response. You may be interested to know that the index to Mr Vine's book contains hundreds of subjects, from Adrian to Zama (Battle of). It includes: Antichrist, Beast, Crusades, Hungary, Huns, Jerome, Jews, Battle of Kosovo, Megiddo, Mohammed, Ottoman Empire, Palestine, Scotland, Slavery, Spiritism, Tribulation, and even the United States of America . . . quite a broad canvas! If you would like find out more about W.E.Vine's amazing little book e-mail vineyard@euro-army.co.uk Nice Summit 2000 The Sun's political editor tore into Britain's role in the five-day marathon summit in Nice in December 2000 writing: 'Tony Blair last night put on a brave face after signing up to more bureaucracy, greater secrecy and dodgier decision-making in Brussels. "He claimed victory over taxes, welfare and defence - but put his name to a treaty which failed his own acid tests on accountability and openess "The summit wrung surrender from Britain over 30 vetoes - twice as many as the limit set by Foreign Secretary Robin Cook. "It took the first steps to create a legally binding European constitution and despite denials - plunged ahead with plans for a European army unaccountable to NATO." Then he listed OUR LOSSES: The European army marches on, with only token accountability to NATO Far from becoming streamlined, transparent and accountable, the European Union is increasingly bureaucratic, secretive and remote. The setback at Nice for those countries who want a European superstate will spark fresh moves for a two-speed Europe led by those in the single currency. And OUR GAINS: The Commission's powers have been drastically curbed and high-handed Romano Prodi put in his place.

Disclaimer Views expressed on this website are not necessarily those of the web editor. Links to third-party websites also carry the same disclaimer as we neither endorse them nor guarantee their authenticity or accuracy, in the interests of free speech a variety of pro and sceptic views are carried. Just in case the powers that be try to pull the plug, you are very welcome to set up mirror sites. w.w.w. euro-army.co.uk provides a platform for a host of views. E-mail us at: editor@euro-army.co.uk   Illustrations All line drawings, apart from those indicated, come from R.J.Unstead's masterpiece Looking At History, published in 1955, by A & C Black (Publishers) Ltd, founded in 1807, of 35, Bedford Row, London, WC1R 4JH.