Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-05-02
I'd EDITION.
--latest lbleglaIlS to The Star.
ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.
LONDON TALK ON THE SITUATION.
Profound Impression Produced by
GIadstOne's SDeech-DOubts AS to Sir
Peter Lumsden's TrustWOrthiness-
His Instantaneous and Intriyuea.


LONDON, May ALI other topics Of the week
have been dominated by Mr.. Gladstone speech
on the vote of credit, and the situation at the
present moment may be directly ascribed to it..
Once more his wonderful eioquence has OBJ
tanned an overwhelming victory in the face OF
imminent defeat.
The conservatives, however, are embittered
by the unfortunate allusion in the speech to the
old political quarrel of 1873, many members
eagerly taking notes with view to q subse-
quent attack. Every one expected prolonged
and angry party debate, but so great was the
effect produced by his obvious recognition of
the extreme gravity of the crisis and his elo-
quent appeals for united action, that the vote
would have passed without dissent if twice as
large. Several OF GladstOne'S bittereSt personal
enemies were conSpicuousIy enthusiastic in
their applause.
DOUBT OF SIR PETER LUMSDEN.
The continental press is unanimous in adj
miration of the speech. It interpreted it to
mean war, but the outlook to-day is much more
pacific than during the week, partly because
this exhibition Of England's determination
causes Russia momentary hesitation and
a slightly greater inclination to ar
bitration at least courteous negotiation;
and partly because the feeling is growing in
England that Sir Peter Lumsden is not sutfici-
emily Trustworthy for war to be based upon his
reports. 1t is useless to deny this longer, and
the fact is of the highest significance. Lumsden
has already made ad Two serious IN
the second, that they occupied Meruchak.
LUMSDEN'S INTRIGUES.
hear from trustworthy native Indian sources
that LunSden'S intrgueS are more extensive
than is suspected in England, and that despite
a technical ministerial denial enormous sums,
stated to amount to fifty thousand rupees per
month, have been furnished him for secret SER
vice purposes.
Doubtless the Russians have been and are in
triguing every possible way, but in view of tn e
fact That the EppliSh nopulltinn India
almost unanimous in desiring war, the Times
correspondent, for instance, telegraphing great
disappointment when peace seems more prob
far behind
The discouraging aspect of the situation is
that not only in each country there is
party also makes for war in rus
STA. because the only hope of the liberals is to
wiring concessions from the defeated car, as
during the uncertain periods of the Russian
Turkish war. The peace party is in the same
power renders Russia more overbearing, Just as
its efforts formerly served to precipitate the
Crimean war. The Daily 1Ne,rs asserts, on
authority beyond question, that the car earn
eStIy desires peace, and the English proposals
for arbitration will be accepted.
EVASION ON THE PART OF RUSSIA ANTICI-
PATED.
The authorities, however, expect evasion, but
it is evident final decision is close at hand. In
the meantime both sides pushing prepare
tions with extreme vigor. The advance of large
bodies of Russian troops into the Caucasus, it
is now learned, dates from far back. Rus
idly. The Woolwich arsenal is working day
and night preparing ornaments for the steam
ers purchased by the English government
Three hundred more workmcn were engaged
yesterday at Portsmouth: The admiralty is is
suing instructions to commanders of transports
to embark troops under sealed orders for for
eign service. An English ironc]ad is credibly
reported to be anchored at the entrance Of the
Dardanelles.
1also learn that negotiations OF great impor-
lance are passing between England and Aus.
tria, pointing to the friendliness of the latter
powers.
The following incident is instructive in many
ways: Sir Douglas Forsyth, presiding last night
at the lecture OF Arminius Vanlbery before the
society of arts criticized the conduct OF certain
writers calling themselves Englishmen, but so
devoid OF patriotism that they took pleasure in
distorting iacts and misleading the public. He
added: 81 have had the satisfaction of telling
one OF these to his face that be traitor to his
country The audience instantly understood
this, as the obvious allusion to the Pal WuL
Gazette was cheered loudly.
LEADING WRITERS ON THE SITUATION.
Each leading magazine this month has q
notable article on the Afghan question.
Though from evidently different points of view,
there is an entire unanimity in the conviction
thst Russia's advance upon India has been long
determined, and is ultimately certain.
Each writer gives a striking smile. Sir Lepel
Griffin, in the Fortnightty, says this advance is
as obvious and calculable as the hands Of a
CLOCK. hrapOtAln, In the NMeteenh Cen
is' the inroads Of the so sea wearing away
all before it. Karl Blind. in Time, says Russia s
broken pledges are mile stones on the road to
India. Sir Lepel Griffin, who conducted all the
Afghan negotiations in 1880, ending with re-
cognitiOn OF the present ameer, and his opinion,
therefore, is OF great weight, although repre-
r reaucrscy, says the ANGER ser' told O him
he knew England only gave him Afghanistan
because 1t Was too heavy for her shoulders. He
declares he thought the ameer's reported
treachery unworthy of serious discussion, all the
important Indian chiefs being loyal and eager
for war. He considers Russia seizure Of Herat
probable.
Mr. Escott, in the editorial review in the same
question of war, since 1t is impossible without
Il military understanding with the Atghans to
march an army to Penjdeh.
The English policy ought to be to avert rup-
ture now, for nothing Is more certain than a
German-Russian war in a few years. This
opinion is of considerable Importance, because
marck.
BY Associated Press
Peace Assured by Ensland's RetrOsrade
Movement.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 2.-The German Gazette
states that it is credibly informed that peace is
assured in consequence of the present diplo-
matte action OF England. 1t is a retrograde
movement which England seeks to make as
decently as possible.
The Gazette, in commenting upon this infor-
nation, expresses itself as skeptical about the
Gated.
A Hastily Summoned Cabinet Council.
LONDON May "a hastily summoned cabi-
net council Is being held this evening. 1t is
said that important kilograms from Sir Peter
Lumsden, the British commissioner, and from
Sir Edward Thornton, the British ambassador
at st. Petersburg, were the cause of the speedy
summons of the ministers to the council.
West virginia's Capital.
THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT CHANGED FROM
WHEELING TO CHARLESTON.
WHEELING, w. Va, May 2-Wheeling is no
longer the capital of West Virginia. The state
archives, government property, and the officers
and their families left on the steamers Belle
Prince and Chesapeake this morning for Charles
ton which under provision of an act passed in
1879 by the legislature became the seat of
governme nt for this state on and after to-day.
to be the capital. 1t was made such when the
state was formed. AT the close Of the war
Charleston became the capital. In 1875 Wheel
ing was made the capital again, the city agree
ing to furnish quarters free Of cost SO long as
the capital should be at Wheeling. This build
the city hall. The steamers expect to reach
Charleston tomorrow night. The new state house
there is not yet completed, only a few of the ex-
ecutive offices being ready for occupancy.
Closed by the Marshal.
PETERSBURG, VA, May 2.-The store of w.
H. Weiss, general merchandise dealer at
Hicksford, in this state, has been closed by u.
S. Marshal Hughes, at the instance of his credi-
northern states. The store Is now in charge Of
us. officers.
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