The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-04-03
ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.
The Two Countries Actively Pre-.
pairing for War.
Queen Victoria Calls Out the Re-
serves AMI Militia.

A fresh impetus was given on the Goth to
the threatened war between England and
Russia, arising out of the latters advance
toward the Afghan frontier. On that date
Queen Victoria sent the following message to
the house of commons calling out the British
reserves and the British militia for perma-
nent service:
The present state of public affairs and the
extent of the demand of her majesty's mill
tary forces for the protection of the interests
OF the empire having constituted, in the opin-
Ion of her majesty, a case of great emergency,
her majesty has deemed it proper to provide
additional means for the military service
She has, therefore, thought it right to COM
munlcate to the house of commons that she
Is about to cause the reserve forces and such
proportion of the militia as might be deemed
necessary to be called out for permanent ser
vice.
In accordance with the message, the war
Office called out the reserves and the militia
The preparations for war continue with
great activity. Orders have been sent to
Portsmouth to put the steel dispatch vessel
Mercury, ten guns, in readiness for immcdi-
ate service. 1t is stated that the armor-
plated turret ships Devastation and Colossus
the corvette Bacchante, and the sloop Cor
morant, together with the troop ship
Orontes, are also under orders for the sea.
Orders have likewise been sent to the armor-
ers throughout the kingdom to return imme-
dlately to the Tower of London all the Mar
tint Henry rifles which they have in stock.
The object of having them sent to the Tower
is that they may be inspected, after which
they will be dispatched to India Fourteen
thousand rifles will be forwarded to India
from Portsmouth. Orders have been sent to
chatham to supply Immediately 100000
cartridges.
The calling out of the reserves and militia
increased the excitement over the Anglo
russian dispute especially in English military
circles Orders for thousands of Martini
Henry rifles and revolvers have been sent to
birmingham. The arms are to be shipped to
Bombay as rapidly as completed. The fac
tories at birmingham are working night and
day.
A special cabinet council was held in the
afternoon at Windsor castle by command of
the queen. Just as the ministers were leav-
log the castle messenger arrived from the
foreign Office, bringing dispatches for
Lord Granville from Sir Edward Thornton.
British minister to Russia and Lord Duirerin
Vlceroy of India. The ministers returned to
the castle and a second council was held.
Mr. Gladstone stated in the house of com
mons that the Russians have advanced no
nearer to Penjdeh than Pull Khatun, which,
he said, is eighty miles distant from Penideh
General Alikhanof, Mr. Gladstone added
has established post of Turcomans at Pull i
Khatun.
i,ep u are current AT AluerSnOt that or
ders have been received there providing for
the raising of $1,000 troops for India. One
battery of horse artillery will proceed from
Noolwich to India Immediately.
The government of Burmah, is sending
!,o00 cames to India to be employed on the
frontier of Afghanistan
The council of India has been authorized to
raise credit of 81 800, 600 on account for the
Indian treasury for war purposes Earl Duff
FERN, the viceroy of India, will give
the ameer of Afghanstan the grant
which he demands to pay the Afghan
troops, and allay the discomfort of
tribal leaders The Ameer promises to place
10000 troops on the frontier and in the forts
at Balkh, Penjdeh and Hsrat. The prepare
tons now being made at Rawel-Pindi and
Quetta indicate that an early advance will
be made via Quetta and Sidi with the object
Of reaching Herat before the Russians.
Polish newspapers print dispatches from
St Petersburg stating that a council of Rus
sian generals, including the Grand Dukes
Nicholas, Vladimir, Peter and George, has
been summoned to consider the practicabiitv
OF employing regular cavalry in Central Asia
In the event Of war, where fodder and water
arc scarce.