, 1885-05-03
STILL UNCHANGED.
Nothing New In Regard to
War Matters.
Negotiations Pending for an
Amicable Settlement,
But Preparations for War Still
Continue.
No War News, No Peace News.

that is, no one outside of ministerial cir
Giles is warranted in drawing a conclusion
from this abnormal condition of affairs.
1t should be borne in mind that up t.
the moment Russia has given the Russia.
Saxon reader not an item of news. Rus
STA has acted, has advanced. has waged
battle, has taken territory, but has said
nothing. England has done all the talk
ing, has male all the explanations. Hence
the car has had no retraction to make.
But Gladstone's necessity for making ex-
cuses has been 50 supreme that in the eff
fort to talk against blows last Monday he
succeeded without saying anything in
making the greatest speech of his life,
and for making it got a completely silcnced
opposition, unlimited credit, and S55, 600
900 cash. For forty eight hours after the
prime minister marvellous Grafton every
Jingo in England was a Gladstone man,
and every quaker prayed for him US n
man Of peace. The war party were sure
he meant to wipe Russia out of Asia.
Peace folks said, There is n statesman
who realizes the value Of human life"
After FIVE days it is found the premier's
address is still an oracle. If it is to be
peace the speech urged every honorable
effort to secure an honorable peace. If it
is to be war the speech dwelt upon the
necessity of maintaining British honor.
So it happens tonight that here, the
very center of the old world news, no more
can, with any degree Of certainty, be said
han the Anglo Russian situation is I'M
certain. 1t is probable the situation will
remain as it is to night until after the
second council at Gatschina.
The London newspapers, which often
est speak by ministerial inspiration, began
to disparage Sir Peter Lumsden. It was
Sir Peters word which Gladstone took
upon which to base the charge that Rus
STA had violated faith with England by
occupying Pulkisht. Sir Peter also fur
nished a report that the ears troops had
advanced on Meruchak. Both of these
reported actions constituted powerful
clements 10 the war fever among En-
glishmen. To-day it is admitted that Sir
Peter was mistaken, and it is ever limited
that he was ''purposely mistaken Some
friends o. the government 90 50 far as to
say that Sir Peter lied to his superiors
and that he lied with a purpose. On the
other hand, it is said that the cabinet,
having found good reason to abandon
their warlike attitude, mean to saw
themselves by sacrificing Sir Peter for
furnishing them with a beIlicose senti-
ment.
1t is stated on what appears to be good
authority that the report published to-day
to the effect that Russia had accepted
England's proposal to have the question
as to whether Russia by fighting the hattie
of the Both of March had violated the
agreement of the 18th of March submit
ted to arbitration is untrue. The an
nouncement is also made that a conler-
ence between Sir Edward Thornton. Brit
ish ambassador at st. Petersburg, and De
Giers, Russian minister of foreign affairs,
is arranged for Monday next. The chief
result of this interview is expected to be
the of the first positive in
timation of what the Russian line Of diplo-
matte action is to be, although there ex-
lists in both British aud Russian minis
terial circles the belief that the conference
will lead to an amicable agreement. Still
in neither circle is the expectation enter
tanned that the agreement, whatever it
may be. will embody any absolute accept
ance of the English proposals which have
been made concerning the Afghan dis
l,pute. 1t is thought the result will be
more British concessions and further Rus
sian advantages.
The latest reliable advices from St.
Petersburg hold out the idea hat the
sum total of the diplomatic negotiations
will be a long defensive note from De
Gicrs, in which the Russian statesmar
will make no admission of wrong on the
part u btu- DVudlOn III Ills hibhdi
advance, and which will suggest a further
negotiation, but no arbitration. While
all the correspondence continues between
London and St. Petersburg, there is NJ
cessation of preparations for active war
fare on either side. All this points to al
ultimate rupture,
1t is said hat the Russian minister ha
proposed that during the work of delimi
tation, Russian troops should be with
drawn from Penideh. Dc Giers ais
asks on the part of Russia that in case @
doubt among the commissioners as to tn
rightful boundary, the lesser line shall b
accepted rs the correct one, and that h
insists that the commission shall be con
fined in its work to purely topographic
considerations. On the part of Englan
: Dc Giers also asks that pending the de
cision Of the boundary commission tn
Afghans retire from their occupation {
= Zulfcar.
The first army corps of India, undo
the duke of Connaught, has prepared
n begin its march toward PishiF next weel
In the diplomatic contest for alliance
would appear that England is makir
h better progress than Russia Besid
permission to pass her ships throul