The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1885-05-09
European Affairs.

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at least, ceased showing their teeth at
each other. When war preparations
and belligerent utterances on each side
had reached the climax, when the boom
of cannon seemed the only next move,
suddenly there was break in the clouds
and grim wars wrinkled front changed
to smoother and more pacific visage.
Communications between the two
powers were resumed, each assured the
other of his extreme desire for peace
and the basis of truce or of perma-
nent settlement of disputes began to be
arranged. Everything is still in nebu-
lous condition, but the leading PROPOSE
tion seems to be to submit to the arbi-
tration of neutral, disinterested power
(probably the emperor of Germany the
settlement of which was responsible for
the battle of Penjdeh-the Russians,
the Afghans or the English. On the
18th of March, Russia and England en-
tered into an agreement that neither
themselves nor the Afghans should oc-
cupy the disputed territory on the bor-
ders of Afghanistan pending the decis-
ion Of the boundary commission then at
work. On March 3Oth the Russians adj
vanced into that territory, gave battle
to the Afghans (who also advanceD and
defeated them. Russia's general, kom-
arotf, claims that the Afghans melted
the battle and the advance. English
officers say the Russians were entirely
responsible for the affair. Gladstone
says in dispute between officers it is
best to refer the matter to disinterest-
ed party rather than rush into war on
the mere say-so of comparatively in
ferior servant of the government. Sir
Peter Llmsden, the British high bound
ary commissioner in Afghanistan, has
been recalled and a successor appointed.
The temper of the English press, parlia-
ment and people over this late develop
ment is feverish. They are disposed to
say that it is deep humiliation to Eng
land; that Lumstlen's recall is confess
sion of wrong; that Russia will win
without war all that she was bound to
fight for if she could not get it other
wise; that Gladstones policy will place
Russia at the open gates of Herat and
of India. 1t is also said that Gladstone
is afraid to incur the responsibility of
great war. There will be new cleo
ton this summer or fall and his govern
ment will doubtless be defeated and he
knows it; he would rather shift the re-
sponsibility of war and the settlement
Of all this difficulty upon his successor
than undertake it himself. There is no
doubt but what Gladstone's genius is
for domestic government and that he is
a conspicuous failure when foreign
complications demand firm and un-
bending front. Russia did not advance
upon Afghanistan without purpose.
That purpose she has had constantly in
view and is determined to accomplish
unless beaten in trial at arms. IT she
agrees to peaceful negotiations it is only
in the hope Of winning by that means
and, failing there, she will again appeal
to force. 1t is her old policy.
Meanwhile it is stated that England
has concluded treaty with Turkey; in
consideration of granting that power
ingress to the Soudan from the Red Sea,
returning the island of Cyprus in five
years and other favors, Turkey allows
Englands ships free passage between
the Mediterranean and Black seas in
case of war with Russia.
In the Soudan matters are less quiet.
Osman Digma is reorganizing his army;
Ell Madhi's troops are very impudent in
their behavior and it looks as though
the desert Arabs would shortly be
harassing the English and Egyptians as
bad as they were few weeks ago.
The dispute between France and
Egypt has been settled by the resump-
ton Of publication of the suppressed
newspaper. Here again Gladstone is
severely criticised. He admits having
advised the Egyptian Sultan to apollo
gize to the French and let publication of
the suppressed newspaper be resumed.
This is construed by the critics into an
other back-down, but he says his gov
ernment was only asked for advice and
having disinterestedly investigated
found Egypt was in the wrong adj
vised rectificatiOn. But it is suspected
that England first advised the suppress
sion Of the paper.