The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-04-04
Wars and Rumors of Wars.

of wars. and it needs but small provocation tt
precipitate all the leading powers, except thu
United States, into a general war.
At the present time actual hostilites are
going on in Manitoba, on our northern frca
teer, in the British possessions. To the soutl
of us, in Central America, there is war be
tween the five states comprising that country
and just south of them there is a rebellion, il
Panama. The French have a war with Chin,
over the possession Of Anam. The British
government has a war on its hands in the
Soudan, and has very strained relations with
Russia over the boundary of the latter anG
Afghanistan.
In Manitoba rebellion is in progress; thai
had It's origin sixteen years ago, when Man
itoba was formed into separate province,
called the Northwest Territory and Will
liam McDougall was made Lieutenant Cover
nor. The half-breeds, French and English
mixed with Indians, under Louis Riel, resist
ed. They held out for ten months, when an
agreement was made that a Bill of Rights
would be granted to protect the insurgents in
their rights. This has not been done, and a
rebellion to secure that is now in progress.
Riel has 1000 men organized and equipped,
and last week defeated body of armed con-
stables sent to regulate him. The Dominion
government has ordered troops to the scene
of action.
In Central America President Barrios of
Guatemala has a scheme on hand to CONSOLE
date the FIVE states composing that country
into one republic. 1t is a scheme that has
been talked of and discussed for some years,
and at one time was assented to. When Bar
rios called for conference of delegates from
each of the states, the inhabitants of Costa
Rica, San Salvador and Nicaragua objected.
These three combined against Guatemala and
Honduras, and Barrios proposes to force a
union by military power. Mexico has pro-
tested against the consolidation, and the
United States has also objections, because we
have treaty with Nicaragua in connection
with proposed ship canal connecting the
waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Barrios has paid no attention to these pro-
tests, and without any formal declaration of
war attacked on Tuesday the forces of San
Salvador, and got worsted. Mexico has troops
on the frontier of Guatemala, but they don't
seem to be doing much, while this govern
ment has ordered several of our war ships to
the scene.
Just what the trouble is in the United States
of Columbia, we are not aware, for it is al.
most impossible to keep up with the feuds in
South America. All we know is, that Pres
ton, rebel leader, has, in his operations,
interfered with the rights Of this government.
He seized the Pacific steamship, and impris
oned the captain, United States Consul
Wright and other Americans. When attacked
by the government troops on Wednesday, he
burned the city of Aspinwall to escape cap
ture, the property of the United States and
her citizens being saved. The United States,
we believe, is under obligations to keep travel
uninterrupted between Panama and Aspin-
wall, across the Isthmus, and viii in few
days take vigorous measures to do so. Sew
eral war ships have been ordered to support
Commander Kane, of the Galena, already
there, and large force of United States
marines will be dispatched to Aspinwall in a
few days.
England's trouble in the Soudan has been
of long standing, and is only continuation of
its war in Egypt, which grew out of its attempt
to give a stable government to the country,
in which the English people have large fnan-
cial interests. This is about the substance of
the cause of war, but its story would be a
long one, and would have to embrace events
in Turkey and Egypt for years back.
England and Russia are glaring at each
other over boundary line in Asia. Afghan
istan lies north of the British possessions in
India, and is friendly to England Russia
has been encroaching on Afghan territory,
and occupying certain points with her troops,
under the plea Establishing boundary line. |
England and Russia have not been on good
terms since the Crimean war, and it is said |
that great hatred exists between the military
and naval officers of the two powers. Russia
would like to acquire Turkey and have con-
troll of the Bosphorus, in order to increase her
commerce and strengthen her naval position. |
When. several years ago, Russia made war on
Turkey, England stepped in to protect her.
Being thus frustrated, the Car thought to
seek revenge, perhaps, by encroaching on
England's Asatic possessions. While Eng
land was threatened with dynamiters at home,
with ireland ready to rebel, and while she had
trouble in he, possessions in America and was
engaged in war in Africa, now was thought
to be propitious time Russia was quietly
carrying out plans to absorb Afghanistan, and
extend her boundary to India, where attack
could be easily made, but England at once
protested and demanded an immediate with
drawal of the Russian outposts. In the mean
time she called out the reserve troops, or
1ered warships to be put in readiness, ammu-
iition and uniforms to be manufactured, and
gave large orders for supplies for the army.
The Queens preparations were heartily en-
lorsed by the English people. Russia, seeing
,hese preparations, and well knowing Eng
and $ resources, has concluded that discre-
ion is the better part of valor, and will accede
o the British demand, it is said, though it is
he general impression that hostilities between
hese two governments cannot be long averted.
Should England and Russia come to blows,
Ill European powers would most likely be in
rolved, and military operations would extend
throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. Ger
many would like to have part of the territory
If Turkey, and so would Italy. If England
we're prevented from protecting Turkey by
he Russian war and her troubles elsewhere,
Germany might step in. If so, France, who
las desire to thrash Germany and get back
Alsace and Lorraine, which Germany took
rom her during the recent Franco Prussian
1ar, would take a hand, and most likely
Tould be aided by Italy, who does not like
schemes to extend her boundary
Austria has a grudge against
russia, also, and no doubt would be glad of
n opportunity to get even. If war breaks
ut, there is no foreseeing the outcome; but {
is safe to predict that old maps of Europe 9
vould be unsafe guides after its conclusion.
hould such calamity occur, this country
-ould reap the real benefit, as we should +
ave to furnish supplies, and prices of every
hing would be greatly enhanced. Y
France is endeavoring to acquire posses