Morning journal and courier., 1885-03-12
News by Telegraph FROM ALL QUARTERS. LOWERING WAR CLOUDS. Russia and England Both
 Willing. A SKIRkAlSH IN THE SOUDAN. The Amherst Murderer
 Owns Up. THE UNHAPPY OFFICE SEEKERS, No Change In The Rail-
 road Strike.
THE UNHAPPY OFFICE SEEKERS.
RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

War Growing More Certain Every
 Hour Roth Powers Determined
 and Active Preparations Going On
 England Moving In India.
 LONDON, March 11.-Dispatches received at the war office this afternoon confirm the reports of the Russian advance into Afghan istan. Instead of withdrawing their troops northward as requested by England the Rus sians have pushed them farther south and collision between them and the Afghan ad-
 vance posts may occur at any moment The Russian government, in reply to inquiry by Earl Granville, Minister of Foreign Affairs, admits that the advance of the Russian col umn into Afghanistan has not been checked, but asserts that the movement is not intend ed as a menace to England and that the troops-have been pushed further south that they may reach more suitable position for camping purposes. These evasive statements from St. Petersburg are looked upon in diplo- matic circles in London as barefaeed at tempts to gain time. All confidence appears to have been destroyed by the latest Russian despatches, and war is now looked upon as certain. The most active military pre- parations are in progress both in India and England, and troops are being hur- ried forward by both sides with haste which leaves no room whatever for doubt as to the critical turn which the negotiations have taken. It is even rumored in some quarters that parleying between England and Russia has already ceased and that noth- ing remains now but an appeal to arms. As result of the startling war news nearly all securities show decline. Consols have fallen per cent. and Russian bonds 2 per cent.
 A member of the Russian embassy said to a correspondent tonight that Russia was not endeayoring to push the Turkish border line further south into Afghanistan, but was bent upon definitely settling the boundary so as to the frontier tribes. Russia has no intention to invade Afghanistan. She is merely pun ishing cattle thieves and border robbers and protecting the confines of her own terrific ". England has no right te dictate to Russia as to her conduct in such matters. England's possessions long way off and Russia has no wish to make demonstration against India. If the Czar intended to in- wade India he would be careful to run no risk of incurring the Ameer's displeasure. But if war is forced upon Russia it will be a bloody and conclusive struggle.
 T-e government is taking steps to secure an ample supply of food at Herat to enable the place to withstand siege of any dura- tion Russian troops now occupy an en- trenched and fortified position near Penjdeh. A reserve native Indian army is being raised by Lord Duferin, who also proposes to add thirty thousand native troops to the gafrisons of India. The Indian press unanimously ad- vocate war in case of continued Russian az gression. The Russian railway from Kizil- Arvat to Askabod, which, if continued, will strike the Afghan frontier just above Herat, is being hurried forward,