The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-05-07
ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.
Prospects Of Peace, Bat Beth Countries Continuing
Their Mariike Preparations.

This week the indications arc that England
and Russia will arrive at peaceful solution Of
the Afghan frontier difficulty, although there
has not been the slightest cessation of the
like preparations. 1t is now proposed to arb-
trate the question Of disregard on the part of
Russia of the convention o: March IL, and the
joint commission will proceed to deimitate the
frontier of Afghanistan, satisfactory basis for
the delmitation having been agreed upon be-
fore the Penjdeh affair. While the commission
is at work the disputed territory will be con-
sdercd as neutral. and will not be occupied
either by the Russians or the hfghans.
The Afghans are greatly enraged at the con-
duet of England, which they consider virtually
back down. The Afghan member of the
frontier commission has made a protest, in
which he says that il was shameful for the
British 10 encourage the Aighans TO resist the
Russians at Fenjdeh and afterward to abstain
from rendering any assistance. There is how
ever, little doubt of war in the near future.
Both countries are buying up vessels and fitting
them rs armed cruisers.
An agreement has been concluded between
the English and Turkish Governments by
which the latter will allow vessels of the for
mer to pass through the Dardancllts in the event
Of war with Russia. In return for this favor,
Turkey will be allowed to send an expedition
to occupy the SOUdan by way of Suakim asd
England will restore Cyprus TO Turkey at the
end of five years, and guarantees the integrity
OF the States of the Porte.
In the House of Commons on Tuesday of last
week Mr. Gladstone in asking for vote of
credit of S5J,0J0,000 in view of the present
strained relations between England and Russia,
made one OF the greatest efforts OF his life In
the course of his remarks, which were greeted
with hearty applause from beginning to end,
he said:
We have lahorcd and we continue TO labor for
honorable settlement by pacific But one
thing Will venture to say, with regard TO that sad
contingency, an outbreak Of war-a rupture of re-
lations between two great powers like Russia and
England one thing will say with great strength
of conviction and great earncstncss, in my cndcavor
TO impress it upon the COMMITTEES, that we will
strive TO conduct ourselves TO The end of this dple-
matte controversy in such way that, if unhap-
PLY il is to end in violence rupture. we may at
least be able TO challenge the verdict of civilized
mankind upon n review of the correspondence,
upon review of the demands and retusals, 10 say
whether VIC have, or whether We have not, done all
that men could do. by every just and honorable
effort 10 prevent the plunng of two such countries
with all the millions that own their sway, into
bloodshed and strife.
He stated that the starting point in the Eng
lish movement in the whole matter was their
obligation to the Ameer of AfghaniStan, but at
the same time they we're not bound to uphold
him in any course which was not consistent
with justice and honor. But in this instance
the conduct Of the Afghan ruler had been such
as England could honestly approve. Mr.. Glad
stone also alluded TO the rapidity with which
Russia had converted Turcoman country
into Russian territory and thus become imme-
diatelyk% connected with Afghanistan. The
agreement of March 16. which settled the
boundary dispute, was thought to have neu-
traized the danger TO India from Russa's
proximity and to have averated war. but the
bloody engagement at Pendjeh followed almost
Immediately in the footsteps of the agree
ment. In this connection Mr.. Gladstone said:
All ! say is this: That that wofil engagement of
tina Both of March distinctly showed that one party
or both had, either through ill-wiii or through an
unfortunate mshap failed TO fulfill the conditions
of the engagement We considered it, and we
slider il still, to be the duty of both countries, and
above ALL will say il is for the honor of both coun
tries TO examine how and by whose fault this
calamity came about ] will have no foreaone con-
cluson; i will not anticipate that in the
right, and although have perfect confidence in the
honor and intelligence of our officers, / viii not
now assume that they may not have been misled. |
will prepare myself for the issue; and will abide
by il as far as can in spirit of impartality. What
! say is, that those who have caused such
g6gement to fail ought 10 become known to their
own government and to each contracting party.
The cause of that depIOrabe collision may be I'M
certain. Whose was the provocation? is a matter
OF the utmost consequence. We know that the
attack a Russian attack We know that the
Afshans suffered in life, in spirit and in repute.
We know that blow was struck at the credit and
authority of sovereign who is our protected ally,
and who had committed no offensc
Under these circumstances Mr.. Gladstone
asked for the note of credit, which was passed
Il r