The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-03-08
STIRRING EUROPEAN NEWS.
THE QUESTION or LN.1NGLO- RUSSI1iN
VAR STILL UPPERMOST.

VAR STILL UPPERMOST.
Actual no.iiii,,-s Generally Regarded as Inn
probable, Although the situation 10 Ar.
pareutiy sprious--Turkey one ring to Eater
M Alliance Against Wus.ia--Thc Toricsto
Use ~ he ncit In the budget ~" weapon
A FIlht between soldiers and Civilians
LONDON, March I'm spite OF the ugly
look OF things. few seriously expect war with
Russia. Tho language OF the Brtish Ministers
alone ought to DC enough to provo this. They
sneak in q manner indicating that they prefer
TO 20 to war rather than allow Russia to adj
vance further into Afshanistan. They must.
therefore. feel sure that Russia will decline the
challenge. Their main reliance Is in the con-
Gdent hope that Russia is hopciessiy embar-
rassed by the want OF money: In tho fact OF the
Cars dread o! the Nihiljsts. and In the income
retc railway communications in Asia. More
over Russia must first fight the Afghans and
bitter experience has taught the English that
the Afshans arc doughty opponents. Tho visit
OF Bismarcks son TO England is generally as
ISOLATED with tho Afghan difficulty and prob
ably his endeavors will be toward pence.
In tho mean time. however the Marquis OF
HARRINGTON Secretary of State for War; the
Duke Of Cambridge. Commander-in CHIEF OF
The Forces. and other high officials have fro
quent interviews at the War Office with the
Ag6nts- General OF the British colonies The
ings since have been concerned with the Ques-
ton OF colonial defences and assistance. in tho
event of war with Russia. AS a result OF the
conferences the sQuadrons on the Australian
and North Pacific stations are to be reinforced.
The members OF the Russian Embassy in
London continue TO scout the idea that there
10 any probability Of the declaration OF war be-
tween England and Russia.
Despite the protestations Of the Russian En-
dan rof
ture between Russia and England. some Eng
lishmen OF very conservative tendencies main
tain that the Afghan situation is really COM
plicated and serious. NJ. de Giers. the Russian
Foreign Minister. has been prom pt and explicit
in his statement OF tho Russian attitude. Tho
dispatches he sent to the British Foreign Office
yesterday. while they affirm that instructions
have been sent at Engand's request to the
Russian commanders to avoid all acts likely to
provoke the Afghans into hostilities. plainly de-
cline to accede to Engands other request that
tho Russian troops be withdrawn from their
present advanced posts. These posts are almost
within rife shot OF tho advanced posts main
tanned by the Afghans The latter are notorious
ly aggressive. They are said to have become
actually impudent under the encouragement
given them by Engapds recent advice to hold
their ground. 1t would oe the easiest thing in
the world for Russian intrigue to secure such
an offensive act on the part OF tho Afghans as
would Justify =" battle of defence" Such IN
engagement would initiate open warfare in AZ
ghanistnn. and IL that will really serve the pur-
pose of Russia. already on the ground. 1t is in
her power to have it brought about Mt any mo-
ment. Baron de Staal the Russian Ambassa-
dor to England. in an interview. said:
Mr.. Gladstone has for years urged the Gear
to peace. Why should Russia and England
quarrel? Russia has unexceed rights where
she now is, Russia is perfectly willing that
England should, IL she so desires, annex Az
shanistan II she should do so then Russia and
England would 10 neixhbors. AS neighbors
they could better-bscause jointly-engave in
til. task OF civizing the vast Asian world"
The Cabinet sat for three hours to-day. 1t Is
understood that the conference was confined
to a discussion of the terms of the dispatches
received yesterday from NJ. de Giers. Russian
Primo Minister, upon the Afghan question
The decision. If any was reached, has not ye
been made public
Baron de Staal the Russian Ambassador has
authorized the writer to DENY the story tina,
NJ Iessar the Russian Com missioner appoipt
ed to meet Sir Peter Lumsden the British
Commissioner. to adjust the AFGHAN fronte,
dispute. has been recalled TO st. PETERSBURG
because OF failure in his mission
Musurus Pasha. the Turkish Ambassador tc
London, had long interview to- day with Ear
Granville. the British Minister for Foreign
Affairs. In this conference. it is said, it wa.
urged on the part OF Turkey that England
enter into An Anglo-Turkish alliance ayains
Russia. Musurus Pasha assured the British
Minister that the Sultan was DESTROYS Of form
ing the proposed alliance. 1t Is declared tina
Earl Granville while apparep,ly receiving tn,
Turkish proposal with tho greatest OF pleasure
declined to make any utterance that could b,
construed by even Turkish diplomacy into a,
endorsement OF the offer.
The transports which we're on tho way Il
suaklm with the Guards and infantry and mar
liners have been detained at Suez on order
from the War Office. The ostensible reason
for their detention is that the Government /
awaiting Gen. Greaves's report regarding tn
water supply at Suakim. The fact Is. however
that the transports are awaiting orders as 4
whether or not they shall proceed to Kur