St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1885-04-04
The TOPIC OF THE HOUR.


Active Military Preparations-Still Hop
ing for settlement.
RUSsIA's REFUSAL AND ENGLAND's ULTI"
MATUM.
LONDON, March PA special edition
of the Globe, Just out, has caused intense
excitement throughout the city. The
| Globe says it has positive information
| that Russia has refused to accede to En-
glands request for mutual withdrawal OF
troops from the disputed territory IN
| Afghanistan. The Globe, in an author
| itative tone, further states that IN conse-
ouence of this refusal, Lord Granville,
Minister for Foreign Affairs, has sent an
ltimatum TO Russia, and demanded
an answer thereto no later than Monday
next, The Globe has on previous occa-
| sions succeeded in publishing reliable
advance news, and many are inclined to
accept it's present statements. Should
thew prove true, it is difficult to imagine
how complete rupture and speedy dec
! laration of war can be ayerted.
NO LET UPIN THE EXCITEMENT.
LONDON, March 27.-There is no let
mn in the excitement this morning. Inc
streets are thronged in ont of the news
paper offices by crowds OF excited men
anxious to learn the latest developments
with regard to the Anglo Russian dispute.
| The situation up to noon was Wlthoub
/ change. No news tending to prove OF
involve the situation has been received.
The financial and speculative feeling is
!, To- linn
is little desire to trade. On the Stock
Exchange dealings are, asarule, IN small
lots, and quotations are easier.
A RUSSIAN CAPTAIN ON THE OUTLOOK.
NICE. March 27.-The Central Neegs
correspondent was to-day accorded an
interview with Captain Abkanoff, Rus
sian Military Governor of Mery, who is
soiourning here for his health That
gentleman, replying to the correspond
ent's request for his views in regard to
the chances of war between England and
i, Russia. stated that he had little doubt
that a conflict between the two countries
would occur, and it would be hard TO pre-
diet The result. The war, if once COM
menced, would undoubtedly be long
+ and bitter one, and it's result would set,
/ lie
all differences between Russia and En-
gIand with regard to their Asiatic posses
sions.
st is the only way in which the differ
ences with regard to the Russo-Afghan
frontier can be settled. The present
threatened outbreak of hostilities between
those countries over this question" con-
tinued Captain Abkanoff, ''has long been
breaking, and matters now seem to be In
fair way of reaching climax. ii war
is meant neither power have moment to
lose It will be q question of race be-
tween the armies of the two countries tor
Herat. and the one which obtains posses
sion will have much advantage. Russia,
concluded the Captain, ssneyer had better
opportunity, and her troops ought to
seize Herat before the English can get a
chance to fortify, and make 1t impreg-
nabfe.
!. LONDON, March 2S.-The Indian Gov
eminent estimates that in case of war it
i will require immediate reinforcements
equal to tWenty-six regiments OF in
fantry, three OF cavalry, two batteries o.
J field artillery and eighteen batteries o.
) horse artillery In view of the possible
call for transportation of this large body
of troops a committee on mobiliza
ton has been formed in the transpor
department., and is arranging for the use
upon demand, of several of the sWiftest
vessels of the transatlantic steamship
, companies, including the America anc
the Arizona. The military stations or
the Mediterranean have been ordered
. to overhaul their magazines ant
to put into preparation fo1
I active service all gun-boats ant
. torpedo vessels within their jurisdic
. ton, as part of the achievements re
quired for India. 1t is in contemplation
. to send from Suakim the troops nov
! forming the garrison there, together witt
the Grenadier Guards, now with Genera
Graham, provided arrangements are Ell
fected with the Porte whereby Suakin
f may be garrisoned by 5000 Turkisl
troops in lieu of the British force. Thi
plan would not be carried out, however
until after General Graham had intficte
; decisive defeat upon Osman Dfgna.
STILL HOPE FOR A SATISFACTORY SETTLE
a MENT.
LONDON, March 28.-In the House 9
D Lords last night, Earl Granville, replyin
to lnterpolations, reiterated the Govern
ment's understanding that an agreemen
4 exists that binds Russia to take no actio
) on the Afghan frontier which can be cor
r strued as hostile. He said that the Coy
eminent had taken an unfinching attitud
I upon the Afghan question, and were fo
. lowing out policy agreed upon by bot
= political parties. Negotiations with Rus
: STA were in constant progress, and tina
meanwhile the Ameer had promised t
$ maintain perfect neutrality. The Govern