The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-04-04
Wars and Rumors of Wars.

of wars, and it needs but small provocatlon to
precipitate all the leading powers, except the
United States, into general war.
At the present time actual hostilties are
going on in Manitoba, on our northern IRON
teer, in the British possessions. To the south
of us, in Central America, there is war be-
tween the five states comprising that country,
and lust south of them there is rebellion, In
Panama. The French have war with China
over the possession of Anam. The British
government has a war on its hands in the
Soudan, and has very strained relations with
Russia over the boundary of the latter and
Afghanistan.
In Manitoba a rebellion is in progress, that
had its origin sixteen years ago, when Man.
itoba was formed into separate province,
called the Northwest Territory" and Will
liam McDougall was made Lieutenant Cover
nor. The fbreeds, French and English
mixed with Indians, under Louis Riel, resist
ed. They held out for ten months, when an
agreement was made that a Bill OF Rights
would be granted to protect the insurgents in
their rights. This has not been done, and
rebellion to secure that is now in progress.
Riel has 1000 men organized and equipped,
and last week defeated a body of armed con-
stables sent to regulate him. The Dominion
government has ordered troops to the scene
of action.
In Central America President Barrios of
Guatemala has a scheme on hand to CONSOLE
date the five states composing that country
into one republic. 1t is scheme that has
been talked of and discussed for some years,
and at one time was asseuted to. When Bar
rios called for conference of delegates from
each of the states, the inhabitants of Costa
RIGA, San Salvador and Nicaragua objected.
These three combined against Guatemala and
Honduras, and Barrios proposes to force a
union by military power. Mexico has pro-
tested against the consolidation, and the
United States has also objections, because we
have treaty with Nicaragua in connection
with proposed ship canal connecting the
waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Barros has paid no attention to these pro-
tests, and without any formal declaration OF
war attacked on Tuesday the forces OF San
Salvador and got worsted. Mexico has troops
on the frontier of Guatemala, but they don't
seem to be doing much, while this govern
ment has ordered several of our war ships to
the scene.
Just what the trouble is in the United States
of Columbia, we are not aware, for it is al
most impossible to keep up with the teuds IN
South America. All we know is, that Pres
ton a rebel leader, has, in his operations,
interfered with the rights of this government.
He seized the Pacific steamship, and impris-
oned the captain, United States Consul
Wright and other Americans. When attacked
by the government troops on Wednesday, he
burned the city of Aspinwall to escape cap
ture, the property of the United States and
her citizens being saved. The United States,
we believe, is under obligations to keep travel
uninterrupted between Panama and Aspin-
wall, across the IstbmuS, and will in few
daxs r., orous measures to do so. Sew
eral war r9 sfRI ps have been ordered to support
Commander Kane, of the Galena, already
there, and large force of United States
marines will be dispatched to Aspinwall in
few days:
England's trouble in the Soudan has been
of long standing, and is only continuation of
its war in Egypt, which grew out of its attempt
to give a stable government to the country,
in which the English people have large finan-
cial interests. This is about the substance OF
the cause of war, but its story would be
long one, and would have to embrace events
in Turkey and Egypt for years back.
England and Russia are glaring at each
other over boundary line in Asia. Afghan
istan lies north of the British possessions in
India, and is friendly to England. Russia
has been encroaching on Afghan territory,
and occupying certain points with her troops,
under the plea ofestablshing boundary line
England and Russia have not been on good
terms since the Crimean war, and it is said
that great hatred exists between the military
and naval officers of the two powers. Russia
would like to acquire Turkey and have con-
troll of the Bosphorus, in order to increase her
commerce and strengthen her naval position.
When, several years ago, Russia made war on
Turkey, England stepped in to protect her.
Being thus frustrated, the Gear thought to
seek revenge, perhaps, by encroaching on
England's Asiatic possessions. While Eng
land was threatened with dynamiters at home,
with Ireland ready to rebel, and while she had
trouble in her possessions in America and was
engaged in a war in Africa, now was thought
to be propitious time. Russia was quietly
carrying out plans to absorb Afghanistan, and
extend her boundary to India, where attack
could be easily made, but England at once
protested and demanded an immediate with
drawal of the Russian outposts. In the mean
time she called out the reserve troops, or
dered warships to be put in readiness, ammu-
milton and uniforms to be manufactured, and
gave large orders for supplies for the army.
The Queens preparations were heartily en-
dorsed by the English people. Russia, seeing
these preparations, and well knowing Eng
lands resources, has concluded that discre-
ton is the better part of valor, and will accede
to the British demand, it is said, though it is
the general impression that hostilities between
these two governments cannot be long aVerted.
Should England and Russia come to blows,
all European powers would most likely be in
volved, and military operations would extend
throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. Ger
many would like to have part of the territory
of Turkey, and so would Italy. If England
were prevented from protecting Turkey by
the Russian war and her troubles elsewhere,
Germany might step in. If so, France, who
has desire to thrash Germany and get back
Alsace and Lorraine, which Germany took
from her during the recent Franco Prussian
war, would take hand, and most likely
would be aided by Italy, who does not like
Germany's schemes to extend her boundary
southwark. Austria has grudge against
Prussia, also, and no doubt would be glad OF
an opportunity to get even. If war breaks
out, there is no foreseeing the outcome; but
it is safe to predict that old maps of Europe
would be unsafe guides after its conclusion.
Should such calamity occur, this country
would reap the real benefit, as we should
have to furnish supplies, and prices of every
thing would be greatly enhanced.
France is endeayoring to acquire posses
,;oos 81 A so similar IN those of ENGLAND and