The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-02
VERY LIKE WAR.

The Preparations In England-Shipptng
Arms to IndIa--The Regular and Militia
Reserves Called Out for Permanent Ser
v.ce-Excitement In England-The WAL
Spirit Rampant
BRINGING OUT THE DOGS OF WAR
LONDON, March 26.-Active war prepa-
rations throughout England continue, and
not since the days of the Crimes has the
excitement been so great. The belief has
rapidly grown within the past few days
that war with Russia is unavoidable, and
the war fever is now strong upon the peo-
| ple The activity at the arsenals and
dock yards is almost unprecedented.
Large forces of men are employed both
day and night filling heavy orders already
sent in by both War and Admiralty
Offices.
This morning the officers OF the
Ordnance Department st Chatham re-
ceived imperative orders to ship immedi-
ately to Bombay, all the Martini-Henry
rifles in store in that department. Al
ready the Government arsenals are taxed
to their utmost, and so urgent are some
of the orders that contracts have been
made with private firms.
At the dock yards vessels are being
| fitted for instant departure, some OF them
not having been placed under sailing or
ders before for years. Among those which
are being rapidly fitted out for sea are the
men-Of-war Mercury, Devastation, Colos-
sus and Bacchante, and the troop snip
Orontes.
| THE RESERVES AND MILITIA CALLED OUT.
LONDON, March pa Royal message
| has Just been read in both Houses OF
Parliament calling out both the regu
lar army and the militia reserves for per-
manent service. This news has greatly
| intensified the excitement throughout
| England, which is now at fever heat.
| The announcement of the absolute rup
| ture between England and Russia Is
| looked for at any moment.
THE LION RAMPANT.
LONDON, March 26.-In accordance
with the Royal message read in both
| houses OF Parliament, orders have been
| issued by the War Office calling out the
reserves of both regulars and militia.
| REGIMENTS that have not been called on
for active service at any time during the
past ten years have been summarily or
dered to prepare for immediate departure
for foreign service.
| The streets of London this morning are
dotted with excited groups discussing the
| situa ion The verdict is almost general
| that formal declaration of war can not
| be much longer delayed. At all the news
paper offices and news centerS great
! throngs are anxiOusly awaiting the latest
| information in regard to the doings of the
| Ministry and Parliament. Some of the
| Journals have issued extras which are
| bought with avid ity. Many admirers OF
the lingo policy are parading the streets
| shouting for war and singing war songs.
The war spirit is rampant.
THE SITUATION on ArGHANIsTAN.
LONDON, March 26 (eyeninG) The ex-
citement increases hourly, and people
seem to have gone mad over the prospect
of 4 conflict between England and Rus
STA. Fresh orders are constantly being
sent out to military and naval centers for
the immediate dispatch of munitions OF
war to India. An order has been given
| FIR 5000, 900 cartridges to be immedi.
ately packed for shipment to Bombay.
| Relations between the two countries are
momentarily becoming more strained,
while Afghanistan advices are anything
but encouraging.
A dispatch just received from
Bombay states that the Russian forces on
the Afghan border are becoming very
aggressive, and it is with great difficulty
| conflict between them and Afghan
tribes is averted. 1t is reported that
two members OF the party accompanying
Sir Peter Lumsden as English commits.
sioners, have been killed by the Rus
slams.
IMPORTANT DISPATCHES.
LONDON, March 27.-Just as yester-
days Cabinet Council had adjourned,
special messenger arrived in haste from
the War Office, bringing further dis
patches. After Mr.. Gladstone had
glanced over the papers, he summoned
his colleagues to another conference,
which lasted several hours. The nature
of the additional information Can only
be conieclured, but from the circum-
stances there is no doubt that it was con-
sidered unusually important.
WHY THE RESERVES WERE CALLED OUT.
LONDON, March 27.-It is believed that
Earl Dufferin threatened to resign the
Viceroyship of India unless the Govern
ment honored his requistion for $4,000
men from England and that this accounts
for the sudden calling out of the reserves.