Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-28
4 COLLISION IMMINENT.
THE AYcLo-RUSso IxBROGLI0

says: !" w hen Disraeh called put tht
reserves in 1878, Earl Derby retired
from the ministry. Earl Derby's
opinion. therefore. and his experience,
were unique. The risks Of rupture
with Russia now are greater than they
were then. The Cars forces are al
most at the gate Of Constantinople.
Even il the Cabinet were after conces-
sion il is now clear that such policy
is as unsafe as 1t would be dishonora-
BILE. Yielding would ALLEVIATE the
Afghans and degrade us in the
eyes of all the people Of the
East without in reality averting
war, which would only be postponed at
the most for three years. Delay would
only benefit Russia to the detriment-of
England. Whatever frontier shall be
traced, we must protect the Afghans.
1t will be always in the power OF Russia
to provoke quarrel unless we con-
vince her that II will not be to her
advantage to do so. Compromise
in the present state OF affairs
would be represented as a Russian
victory, and would produce the oppo-
site convictions in Russian and Afghan
minds. We are persuaded that il
Russia, reckoning upon the want oil
spirit and inadequate resources in Eng
land, is preparing herself for war, 1t
will be in order for her to test the
strength of the cohesion Of her vast
empire, which will bring the dreams OF
her ambitious statesmen and soldiers
to cruel ending"
The Standard says "We appear to
be on the verge Of what is likely to
draw into its vortex the whole civilized
world. There is no tendency to boast
ing, but firm national conviction that
there must be an end Of yielding. Ne
gotiations might tend to peace. 1t
would be matter Of regret if Russia
should allow the whole fabric Of the
Government, finance and society, to fall
to the ground with a crash. Still,
nothing less is expected. II, owing to
the madness Of their rulers, England and
Russia come to blows, the peace Of the
world will be broken"
The Queens message yesterday cali
ing out the reserve and militia for per-
manent service has been received by
the country with great enthusiasm. The
enthusiasm is especially marked at the
various military stations throughout
the kingdom. Everywhere active efforts
are being excited to get barracks ready
for the reserves and to have arms and
accoutrements at hand with which to
equip them. Immense stores Of arms
at the Tower of London are ready at
this moment to be issued. They can
be distributed at any moment when
they are required. The war-feeling is
strong among the reserves, and many
of them had already joined the Guards
before the orders summoning them to
service had been received.
The Daily Ne,cs, in an editorial this
morning, says: 1" The Queens message
does not imply that peace is less hope
full. 1t simply means that England will
not shrink from responsibilities TO re-
move an impression abroad that Eng
land is reluctant to engage in war. This
is true; but some things are preferable
to peace, some things are worse than
war. The excuses that the Gar is
unable to control his officers on the
Afghan frontiers would be more con-
yincing if their acts were promptly dis
avowed, but they never have been dis
avowed." The Ners hints that, if
necessary, the Indian soldiers will be
employed to do garrison duty in Eng
land.
1t is reported that an appropriation
of from six to eight million pounds will
be asked in April on account Of the
navy. The Standard says it is be-
lieyed the Government is preparing to
send feet to the Baltic to prevent the
exit of Russian vessels when the ice
breaks up.
The decision to call out the reserves
was taken in view Of the Queens i'll
tended departure for the Continent. in
order to be prepared for an emergency
1t is reported that the Russian railway
from Kizil-Arvat to Askabad will be
completed in a fortnight, when the sec
ton to Merv will be commenced. The
Daily Telegraph says in an editorial
that there is no reason to believe that
the St. Petersburg government will be
reckless in wrong-doing. The alarmist
reports are in the main without founda-
ton. Everything is still possible in
the way of an arrangement.
The Standard, in an editorial review
Of the existing situation, Bays: " The
calling out of the reserves is not such a
serious matter to the industry of the
country as the modifying of the CONT
mental army. The entire reserve force
and militia comprise only $50, 900 men.
This number can easily be spared from
the aggregate population, and will not
seriously interfere with trade or agri-
culture"
Earl Granville had an audience with
the Queen at Windsor Castle last eve
ming. 1t is expected that at present
10000 of the first-class reserves will
be called out, with 5000 picked efficient
militia. The war-ship Mercury will be
supplied with two first-class torpedo
boats and appliances.
Military authorities state that force
of 10000 men could be dispatched from
England within a fortnight. A con-
tract was concluded with Tyne mer-
chant to-day to carry $4,000 tons of
coal to Cronstadt during the season.
with the option of delivery at Copen-
hagen or Aarhuus. in the event of war
with Russia.
In the event of war %, 900 militia
will be assigned to garrison duty in
Ireland, and that number Of regulars
will be released for active service.
LONDON, March 2I.-Actiye prepa-
rations are making to get all available
cruisers and iron-clads belonging to the
navy into condition for active service
as soon as possible. 1t is known
that the destination Of these vessels is
the Baltic sea and Black sea. entrance
to the latter, however, being condi-
toned on the assent Of Turkey.
Members of the Third Royal Fusi-
leers and the Filth Rifle brigade. both