The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-04-25
;Ile Democratic Sduotatt.
SATURDAY. APRIL Is, 1885.
England and Russia.

England and Russia have about exhausted
themselves in diplomatic efforts at peace, and
the arbitrament of differences by the sword
is about to be tried. England, be it remem-
bered, has contracted to preserve Afghanistan
from absorption or partition by Russia. It's
desired by England that a neutral government
should lie between her Eastern possessions
and the possessions of Russia, power be-
tween whom and England there has been no
cordially for many years. Russia has not
forgotten the Crimean war, and she holds
against England the defeat of her scheme to
possess the DardaneIles in the late war with
Turkey.
In order to preserve the existence of At
ghanistan England seconded the efforts of the
Ameer in arranging with Russia boundary
line on the northern border. While this
commission was at work the Russians pushed
their troops on territory claimed by Afghan
istan. The Ameer sent troops to the frontier
to resist encroachments. The military forces
of Russia and Afghanistan got too close to-
gether, and about the Both of March conflict
ensued, in which the Afghans we're worsted.
England, by reason of her engagements with
the Ameer, and to preserve her own prestige
in the East had to ask an explanation of the
conflict. Russia replied, throwing the entire
responsibility on the Afghan commander, and
transmitting the official report of the battle of
Gen. Komarof, the Russian commander.
The reply was not satisfactory, and England
awaited an official report by Sir Peter Lums-
den, It's own representative. That reply has
been received, and we give synopsis of it
in this ISSUE Sir Peter Lumsden contradicts
Gen. Komaroff in all important matters, and
now there is nothing that can be done to avert
war, except for Russia to disclaim RESPONSE
bility for the conduct of Gen. Komarof and
recall him.
In Russia there is a war party and anti-war
party. The former is largely in the majority
and have gotten control of the government.
That party is DESTROYS of war, and all the de-
lays in the negotiations have been purposely
designed in order to prepare for hostilities. 4
Gen. Komaroff will not be recalled, nor will
Russia discIaim responsibility for his action.
War, therefore, is deemed certain, and but
few days can elapse before it is formally de-
elared
England and Russia have been making ex-
traordinary preparations for war for nearly
two months, and negotiations have been
opened with other governments to secure their
neutrality But, if England and Russia fight
the peace of all Europe, Asia and Africa will
be endangered. ii would not be surprising
if the conflict became general.
Russia has organized her forces, and it is
reported that in a few weeks she viii have
100000 regulars and $4,000 Cossacks and
Tureomans in Central Asia. The government,
too, has made extensive naval preparations,
preparing those vessels she already had for
sea service, and purchasing large number
of others to depredate English shipping.
England, too, is ready for hostilities. Army
supplies have been purchased in large guam
titles; ammunition and uniforms have been
procured; the war vessels put in fighting trim,
and the army is being reorganized. Troops
are swarming to all the barracks in response
to the call for reserves. Parliament, without
question, voted war credit of fity-nine mil
lions of dollars on Tuesday, and the war feel
ing throughout England is growing in inten-
sity daily.
Advices yesterday say that all hope of
peace has been abandoned.