Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-29
The Question of the Hour


Inc question which is being asked ev-
eryWhere throughout the civilized world
Is, VIII there be war between England
and Russia: An answer is anxiously
awaited. There is as yet, however, moth
ing positive. One day war appears 10 be
certain and the next day there are signs
| that peaceful solution of the difficulties
! will be reached.
The diplOmatists are still busy, and
they may succeed in removing the pre-
/ text for war. Whether they will succeed
or not will depend upon whether there is
a sincere desire to avert war on the part
| of either nation. There is no longer
! occasion for regarding the little strip of
/ country on the Afghan frontier, about
which the two nations are disputing, as
| the real cause Of the threatened conflict.
| That is only pretext. India is the real
I cause. Russia wants India. She has
coveted that rich possession of England
/ for long time. 1t is probable that she
regards the present as a favorable time
to strike the blow that may give it to her.
If England is ready for the conflict she
will allow the Afghan boun-
dairy question to be the pre-
text for it. If she is not ready she will
| so far yield to the demands of Russia
with respect to the boundary as to make
that impossible as a pretext. In that
way she may succeed in delaying the
struggle. The delay, however, cannot be
very long. The conflict is inevitable and
must take place in the near future.
1t is a question whether Russia will
persist in her purpose if England main
tains bold front. 1t may have been her
original intention only to get step nearer
! to India, and TO strengthen herself for
the final step by getting foOthold in
Afghanistan. If she is not fully prepared
to advance in view of England's defiant
attitude she will readily find a way to
avoid war.
The intentions of the two nations can
only be inferred from their own actions,
and even their actions may not mean
what they appear to mean. They are
both making preparations for war. Rus
STA is pushing troops towards Afghanis-
tan and is in the market as the pur-
chaser of fast sailing steamers. England
is increasing her military forces, and is
purchasing provisions and ships.
1t is certain that both nations regard
war as probable. They do not trust each
other. They consider that engagements
made today may be broken tomorrow.
While, therefore, they are exchanging
dispatches, and are, apparently, trying
to reach a settlement Of their differences,
they are pushing forward their war pre-
paTatiOns.
lfwar occurs, it will be great war.
England and Russia are two of the great
est nations of Europe, and they have vast
resources. Thirty years have passed
since they met in the Crimean war, and
it is probable that they are both stronger
now than they were then. A war be-
tween them would be a war of giants, and
it might not cease until the greater part
of Europe was drawn into it.
India is great prize. Although Eng
land has taken from it untold wealth, 1t
is yet rich country. Its great agricul-
tural resources are just beginning to be
developed by the building of railroads.
England cannot afford to give it up. She
would be willing to double her debt, and
thus double the burdens of her people.
before yielding so great and so valuable
part of her empire.
The whole world is interested in this
threatened war, because the whole world
is affected by it. The markets of Europe
and this country feel the effect of every
movement that looks like peace or war,
and when war comes, if it does come,
they will respond to every movement of
the cOntending armies.