The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-03-15

timatum by the British Government.
namely, the simultaneous retirement OF
tho Russian and the Afghan outposts
pending final dellmitation OF frontiers. II
was the juxtaposition Of the Cars soldiers to
tho fiery tribesmen who support tho Ameor,
but defy control and discipline, that made
collision seem inevitable; and by rejecting or
evadng the ontreaty to recall his troops
ALEXANDER III. betrays a secret purpose to
provoke hostillties Very likely things might
DO 80 managed that tho first blow could be
charged to the Impotence OF the Afghans;
but no who. after warning, persists in placing
finder where spark will kindle II is really
responsible for tho ensuing oonnngration.
II We look closely at the species OF conven-
ton entered Into by tho Russian and British
Governments, we shall find but little warrant
for Mr.. GLADsToNE's complaccncy. or for the
buoyancy which tho nows is reported to have
impaired 10 the stock market. What Eng
land yields Ia clear enough. for II is nothing
short OF everything which Lord GRANVILLE
made sine qua non OF further negotiations.
He demanded that Russia should withdraw
her soldiers from the places occupied during
the last two wocks on tho Murgab and Ilarl
Rud routes, and resume positions outside
isled with stipulation that tho
Russians shall advance no further.
But Mr.. GLADSTONE did not tell tho
House OF Commons whether the limo
of provisional Iclimta'ion was to DO that
taken by the Russian outposts when the
latest despatches left Afghanistan lat lenst
week ago, or the limo to b. attnincdb by thetime
(at least n week hence orders In pursuance of
Turcoinau frontier. Undoubtedly the lattcr
construction ia the right one. for Russian
prostigc, of which the Cars represent atives
have hnd so much to say. would be about rs
seriously damaged In the eyes Of TurcOinams
and Afghans by n retreat OF thirty as hy one
of eighty miles. AID that before the end
OF the fortnight that must capse between
the dnto of the last advlccs and the reception
of his now instructions Gen. KoMAEoFF will
be ut least thirty miles nearer Herat nobody
can doubt.
As for tho alleged covenant that COL
ision between the Afghans and the Russians
pending tho adjustment OF boundaries shall
not be made a c0sts bril- by Great Britain,
this Is another concession ON Lord GRAN
WILLIS part, and one which ne can hardly
afford to make. For il England is not going
to support the Aighan5 in their territorial
pretonsions or to back them In hostilties
caused by the Muscovitc entertainments.
the negotiations OF tho last week nave had
no object; and the Ameer OF Cabul. once con-
WINGED that England has practically agreed
to leave him in the lurch. will speedily renew
his former close relations with the Tashkcnd
authorities.
There is no doubt that the national or Pan
Slavic party means war, and, as its loyalty
alone protects the Car from Nihilism, he
cannot safely disregard its vehement do
sires. And, IL we brush aside the cobwebs
spun by plausible diplomatists, the fact is
clear enough and grave enough that Russia
is much nearer Herat than she was two
weeks ago when the loud alarm was sounded.
1t is possible, OF course, that through the
determined mediation Of Germany the pres
ent signs Of war may vanish, but they will
be highly credulous who accept any proof OF
Russia's good intentions short OF the re-
moval OF her soldiers from their dangerous
proximity to the Afghan garrisons.