Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-19
AHcLoRUssrAx QUESTION.
Tue Ameer Of Afsbassssap Expsssses Mis-
Nisws or the Situation.
Try "a i,fa a.. rho i,fsr~fc,,

"N hau otueftu tnt tIlDeS W Tcpait
the road from Cabul to Herat, and
that endorsements had left Candahar
for Herat. He believed that Russia
might yield to circumstances, being
unable to give good excuse for her
aggression. Only when all arguments
have failed, he said, must war be
considered, and then the Afghans
will rise as one man and repeI
the invader. His policy was de-
termined upon, and would not be
changed. Ii was founded on common
sense, and not on oaths. His people
must accept it as he had, and must trust
him as he had been trusted by England.
The Afghans would never surrender an
inch of territory or allow their country
to be highway for the Russian army,
which would mean occupation and pro-
lection Of long line of Russian COM
munication, and result in ruin and loss
of Independence. The Afghans would
see this, and would find that England
is helping them to maintain their free
dom.
VIEWS OF THE LONDON PRESS,
LONDON, April lS.-The Times this
morning, in discussing the Anglo-Rus-
sion question, says: Nothing has hap
pened in the last three or four days to
justify a change in the public attitude.
Even if the Government is prepared to
give Russia the territory already occu-
pied, it by no means follows that the
trouble is ended.
The Standard speaks in leading
article to the following effect Nobody
who has the honor Of England at heart
can help feeling that the Government
is paying disastrous price for the re-
spite which it is proposing to secure.
Continental critics are careful to hold
up the mirror so as to show our con-
temptible figure. Russia has once
more gained triumph at our expense.
She has gained credit which we have
lost. We, on the other hand, have not
secured peace. On that point illusions
are impossible. A conflict has only
been postponed to some future time,
and the period of great defensive arma-
ments has opened for the British en-
pire in India.
GLADsT0NE'S FIRMNESS-ANoTHE
"COUP DE THEATRE" PREPAR-
ING.
LONDON, April lS.-The prospects
Of peace may be delusive. Many expe-
rienced diplomats entertain fair con-
viction that an apparent truce is taken
by England merely to get proper breath
for effective action. The very firmnesS
with which Gladstone makes his public
statements, and the cold, calculating ex-
actness with which he phrases his ut
terances. all tend to convince those who
know the Premier well that he has de-
termined upon policy which, no mat
ter how surprising it may be
when announced, will by no means
be one Of retrogresSion. Gladstone
has made some retreats during his min
istry, but he has always on these occa-
sions betrayed himself by indecision
and uneyenness in his parliamentary
statements. 1t is quite different with
him now. To all interrogatores in the
House of Commons during the past
week the Premier has presented the
very perfection of firmness. In reply,
where a questioner desired to know
something which the Government were
not ready to confide to the public,
Gladstone has straghtforwardly refused
TO give the information, and has plainly
based his refusal upon public policy.
in nearly every other case the Liberal
leader has been frank to his constitu-
-ents. fair to his opponents, and unlm-
FASHIONED and truthful towards the
Russians. 1t is admitted even by the
Premier's enemies that his conduct has
been like that of man strong in fore
knowledge about the result of his cause
like that of man managing well good
case. with many ugly features neces-
sarily attending the preliminary stages
of its progress. Gladstone appears
to have his entire case in hand ;
seems to be unembarrasSed by
the prospects, and undoubtedly has
the full sympathy and cooperation
of his entire Cabinet. As a sporting
man states it. Gladstone is playing a
waiting game, and knows all the
cards" 1t would appear from all this
that the Premier has another coupe de
theatre prepared for next weeks vote
of.credit day. Hence, although all
surface indications warrant the state
ment that the prospect is one of only
description of the actual situation which
can be given as literally accurate
is contained in the statement that the
situation is practically unchanged"
OF course such a statement is rather
oracular, but so is the situation. for no
one outside the Cabinet seems to know
Just what it is. 1t may be set down as
absolutely true that the rise and fall of
war-talk during the ten days past has
been largely due to speculative money
interested in making sales or purchases.
BRITAIN on THE SEA.
LONDON, April lS.-InstructiOns re-
ceived by the naval authorities at Ports
mouth indicate the immediate commits
sioning of a powerful feet and other
warlike preparations. Thirteen gun
boats are TO be put in commission, and
the torpedo fotilla and the iron-clads
are to be held ready for urgent service.
The orders are peremptory, and Will
necessitate the calling out Of the naval
reserve and the men Of the coast guard.
For this large supplementary force
vote will be asked for by the Govern
ment.
HUMBUGGING ENGLAND.
BERLIN. April lS.-The press here
generally express the opinion that Rus
STA is humbugging England.