The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-04-11
Even Gladstone for War,


LONDON, April 1l.-Gladstone's statement
in the house Of commons Thursday night,
with reference to the Russian difficulty, is
taken by everybody to mean that tie grand
old man" has at last come to the conclusion
that war is necessary He said in effect thai
the Russian attack was unprovoked
and spoke very slowls and emphatically.
His information was no more complete than
has already been published in these dis
patches.
The tone Of the British press is extremely
warlike. The Times says the statement
of MIR. Gladstone had the ring of con-
stancy and resolution which neither for
eigners nor Englishmen can mistake. We
cannot, if we would, encounter the risks OF
IA surrender to Gen. komarotf's defiance to
the orders of his superiorS. 1t rests with
Russia to purge herself of this dishonesty.
Russia is living largely on capital, and Eng
lish investors will he wise not to subscribe
another sovereign TO Russian loan
The Daily Telegraph says: Russia through
out has intended to give England trouble
and to put affronts upon her Unless repara-
tion is afforded, not by the help Of golden
bridges, but in accordance with our distinct
and stern demands, we must do our duty by
India and ourselves, and wage such war
as will insure to India repose for half cen
tury.
The Post in an editorial says it is almost
impossible TO deal patiently with Mr. Glad
stones statement that he has asked Russia
to explain the attack on the Afghans, and
the additional statement that M. de Giers
hoped the incident might not interrupt the
negotiations.
The Daily News says: War can now only
be avoided by prompt disavowal by Russia
of Gen. Komaroff's action and guarantee
against its repetition, and by honorable
action on her part regarding the joint
boundary commission, which, up to the
present time the Russians have Knocked and
evaded with scarcely disguised cynicism
The past affords little ground for hope OF
belief that Russia will observe with greater
fidelity her obligations in future.
In an editorial article The Standard says
1.-THE last point which Russia claims, ever
if it ic not yet occupied, is in her grasp
Her soldiers have won it by an act of provo
cation and a shameless violation of solemn
promise made on the Neva. England ha.
acted in good faith, even with chivalrou
scrupulosIty akin to simplicity. We hav'
| looked for that honesty in others" continue
the article, that We have practiced our
| selves. We have our reward. We are once
more on the brink Of a war which may in
volve Europe and Asia"
There has been a decided reaction from
the excitement Of Thursday, and the street
Friday presented nothing out of the ordi
nary Ths conviction has about settled tina
a war is imminent and Judging from tn
| present bitter feeling against Russia moth
ing would be more welcome "Russh's per
fidy and treachery, as recently exposed
is the topic Of the hour. Al
| explanation of the Russian at
tack on the Afghan outposts, which wa
demanded of the st. Petersburg officials
has not yet arrived. The cabinet minister
are in session, and messengers are hurryini
to and fro. Several notes have been inter
changed with Baron do Staal, the Russia
ambassador, and messongerf are almost con
stantly plying between his Office and Mr.
Gladstone's. No confirmation of the caI
ture of Penjdeh has yet been received.
Baron de Staal when called on by TIL
Central News correspondent with view t
obtaining the latest phase of the situation
stated that he had received no advices iron
his government that contained any late
news than that published in the mornin
papers.
Agents Of the Russian government ar
making vigorous attempts to buy up all fas
vessels now in port and are vigorously CON
peting with agents Of the English govern
ment In bidding for desirable vessels
The stock market was steadier, but ther
| Lftla Ininn
advanced fracti0nally, while Russian bond
recovered fully two points of Thursdays d,
cline The grain markets were strong an
advancing.
Up to $3.50 O'Clock Friday afternoon, no r,
ply to England's demand for an explains
tion of the Afghan frontier affair had bee
received.
1t is stated chat the government is buyin
hundreds of horses and mules in Canada fC
service in the east.