Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-02-13
THE RUTLAND HERALD.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY ii, 1873.
The War Cloud.

ministers, and their uttered words on the
floor of parliament. The Queen says, in
substance, that it has long been felt by
Great Britain and Russia that cit would
be conducive to the tranquility of Cen
trail Asia if there could be anidentity
of view in reference to the northern
boundary of Afghanistan, and that cor
r3spondence has passed between the
governments on the subject, "the tenor
no less than the object" of which, she
trusts, will be in accord with and ap-
proved by the public opinion of the ma
tons Could anything be more cencili-
atory and pacific to the ear and yet,
after all, be either meaningless or framed
TO convey a false impression. There,
probably, can be no doubt of the fact
that the identity of view" spoken of
would be o conducive to the tranquility
of Central Asia" Neither, if we may
Judge from the tone of the public press
and the uttcrances of British and Russian
statesmen, is there, unfortunately, much
doubt that the tenor of the correspond
ence will accord with the public opinion
Of the two countries. That public Opin-
ion now seems to be decidedly and I'M
compromisngly belligerent. The Earl
of Clarendon, in moving, in the House
Of Lords, reply to the Queens speech,
declared that England would deal with
the Russian question in a prompt, de-
cisivc and dignifed manner, because she
" sees with regret the encroachments OF
Russia. whose FURTHER naooements would
tend to a dlminution of the harmony
which has long prevailed between the
fwo powers" In the House Of Com
mons Disraeli declared that Russia must
Doe resisted. He hoped diplomacy would
settle the question but 1car must, if
necessary I he London Times declares
shat except for the purpose Of holding
Persia within her grasp, or invading
Afghauistan, Russia can have no motive
in Oycrrunning the vast steppes Of
Southern Khiya or exploring the pass Of
Badakshan now inasmuch as neither Of
these objects could be attempted with
ont the certainty of a rupture with Great
Britain The other English newspapers
talk the same way, and there is no diff
Guilty in determining what is the public
opinion Of the people. Russia is in the
same mood She still remembers her
contests for the supremacy in Asia. She
still smarts under her defeat on the
Nrimra, due, as she firmly 'alieves, to
nl. unjust and understandable interfer-
rnrr of Great Britain in behalf of Tur-
ary She longs for an opportunity to
41tiu measure strength with her ancient
lv, and sometime ally. The Russian
press fatty says "hands off to England.
and tells her she is Jealous of her growth
uud power. The Queen is, undoubtedly,
hight when she says the tenor of the cor
rrsponlruce will be approved by the
public opinion of the two nations.
What is all this furry, this belicose atti-
tuie, this possible and probable war
about? Like most wars, or the preteXt
for most wars, it arises from com
paratiyely insignificant matter. 1t must
be promised that, according to the
90 Forsythe understanding, as it is called,
territory lying between the British and
Russian territory in Asia, and about four
hundred miles wide, should he regarded
by the two powers as neutral territory
but, unfortunately, its exact bounds
were not defined. This being understood
the difficulty will be more readily apprc-
hended. Russia demanded of the Khan
of Khiva a caravan of forty persons,
who claimed the protection of Russia
and had been captured by the forces Of
the Khan. The demand was not only
refused. but further attacks were made
on Russian outposts, and the prisoners.
captured. were treated with undue So
verify. The Khan implored assistance
Of the British Viceroy of India against
Russia, but was refused. Russia to
punish the Khan is said, also, to mcdi-
tate an encroachment on the territory of
Afghanistan, while it is and has been for
years the policy, if not the obligation of
Great Britain to protect the Ameer OF
that country in all his rights. This is
all there is of it, Great Britain fears and
believes that Russia is simply making
use of the pretext of Furnishing the
Ehan, to gain a more secure foothOld in
order to again renew the conflict for the
sovereignty of Asia. Russia refuses tc
yield to the dictatiOn of Great Britain,
or to further disclose her purpose. Upon
the suspicious of the one party and the
nndoubted right of the other party tC
punish enemies, without explicit eX-
PLANTATION to a jealous power, the two
great nations of the old world propose tC
rush to arms If war actually ensues,
Great Britain being led on by her jeal-
ousy and fear of Russia, and Russia, in
turn, inspired with a spirit of revenge,
superadded, perhaps, to desire to hui
initiate her enemy and destroy her power
in Asia, it is impossible to tell where il
will end Great Britain, alone, will un.
doubtedly find Russia a more dangerous
power to contend with, than when she
had with her the armies of France and
Turkey. But the conflict, when it once
begins in earnest, will, probably, reopeI
the Turkish question and. if so, will in.
yOlye more or less of Europe in the
strife. Speculations, however, at this
time, are useless, the issue, whether fol
peace or war, must soon be decided. Lei
us hope for peaceful solution If tn,
difficulty.
POSTAL MATTERS - The Postmaste
General has issued advertisements fo
bids for the new penny postal cards
is the intention of the department t.
have the cards ready for issue by tn,
Isl Of May. 1t will be impossible t,
make the necessary arrangements soon
er. The Postmaster General has al
ready received orders for the new card
w ,L,,ao