The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-07-25 00:00:00

THE SULTAN AND ISMAIL PASHA

A Varna correspondent says: Considerable atten-
tion has been called to the fact that the Sultan re-
ceived congratulatory telegrams from Ismail Pasha at
the Feast of Bairam. His agents are peculiarly
active in working the palace influence on his behalf.
The impression has gained ground that the Sultan
will be requested before long to issue a Firman
decreeing a change of Khedive.

;

_ _

RIMSIA AND THE AFGHAN FRONTIER.
The Russian organ, the Nord, on Sunday, said:
"The Russian Government has not varied in its
pacific intentions, although firmly maintaining its
point of view in the Zulfikar question. The despatch
of reinforcements to Askabad is merely the effect of
the natural precautions to be taken in remote regions
subject to so many contingencies. The real or sup-
posed concentration of Russian troops on the Afghan
frontier, far from being a matter of uneasiness, ought
to be looked upon as an element of security, nothing
being more calculated to prevent the Afghans renew-
ing the proceedings that led to the action of March
30th than the certainty of meeting with fresh punish-
ment. The English journals constantly mention the
movements of the Afghan troops in the direction of
the Russian outposts. The Russians therefore are
justified in making preparations to resist a possible
attack."
The Russian organ is of opinion that the Zulfikar
question can be settled without any delay if the Salis-
bury Cabinet remains faithful to its declarations, and
does not deviate from the line of conduct held by the
Gladstone Ministry. Unless the Tory Government
means to re-open the dispute, last week's scare will
blow over, it says, like the previous one.
ST. PETIIRSBIIRO, Sunday.
Turkestan reports state that the mobilisation of the
troops at Verni has been effected very speedily. If
necessary, they will replace the Tashkend garrison
when it leaves. One Verni battalion and one Cos-
sack regiment have already arrived at Tashkend.
The Tashkend troops are ready to march on the first
signal. The semi-official paper contests the
exactitude of the report about the occupation of
Zulfikar by the Russian troops. Some insignificant
movements of temps, it says, have taken place in the
neighbourhood—that is all. The Imperial Govern-
ment, adds the paper, is firmly determined not to
undertake anything which might compromise the
pending negotiations. Official declarations, Russian
not excepted, should never be taken too literally; but
I have good authority for believing that this declara-
tion is correct. lam told that the Russian Govern-
ment would not be surprised by an Afghan attack on
its positions near Zulfikar, and all the neees3ary dis-
positions have been made in order to meet such an
atack, should it take place. At the same time orders
have been given to General Komaroff not to occupy
the defiles, but to content himself with such positions
as would enable him to occupy them at any meraer.t.
(Reuter's Telegram.)
Simi,A, July 18.

The Afghan Boundary Commission is now encamped
at Tunian, 17 miles distant from Herat,

(From the Standard Correspondent.)
Sr. PETERSBURG, Monday Night
It is reported from England that Sir Robert
Morier is coming out at once to assume the duties of
his post as Ambassador, in succession to Sir Edward
Thornton. I can give no cordirmation of this state-
ment, which is probably premature.
Meantime, the Nol oe Vremy a shows so much
ignorance of the way such things are managed in
England that it regards as a sign of weakness on the
part of the Salisbury Cabinet the fact that Sir
Robert Morier's appointment has not been cancelled
in favour of some fiery champion of the Conservative
party.

VIENNA, Monday Night.
The Politische to-night publishes a second remark-
able letter from St. Petersburg, from which it would
appear that the relations between Germany and
Russia have of late undergone a most important
change. The writer says:
"It is perfectly understood in the Russian capital
that Prince Bismarck is aiming at keeping Russia as
far away as possible from the European chessboard,
without, however, rendering her any assistance in her
Asiatic undertakings. On this point there is no
illusion, and if Prince Bismarck shows goodwill to the
new Conservative Cabinet of England Russian
political circles believe he does so in order to keep in
hand the trumpcard against Russia in case the lattek
might try to cross his plans. But he is known to be
far too cautious to enter upon formal engagements
pointed against Russia before the English elections
are over. This accounts for the scepticism with
which people in St. Petersburg receive the statements
regarding a new Anglo German entente."
A London correspondent of the Politische makes
the startling statement that "M. Lessar tells every-
body who chooses to listen to him that the possession
of Herat is a vital necessity for Russia, and is not of
sufficient value to England for the latter to fight for."
Information received here indicates, indeed, that in-
fluential, if not official, circles in St. Petersburg are
propagating the idea that Herat must be taken by sur-
prise before the English are able to defend it. This
would explain the indubitable military movements
which commenced, not immediately after the forma-
tion of the Conservative Cabinet, but only after the
recent electoral victories of the Conservatives.