Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-11
ST.. PKrERsnuRs. Nav q.

ST.. PETERSBURG, May 8.
Nobody here believes that the services OF
an arbitrator will be required. Engiand's
concession 10 regarded as formality to helm
Gladstone out of difficulty. The opinion is
expressed that Russia will give Zulficar Pass
to Afghanistan.
LONDON, May Q.
The continued uncertainty of the political
aspect tends to restrict the amount OF busi-
ness done on the stock exchange with the re-
suit that each small transaction exercises a
dispreportionate effect on prices. The great
est anxiety is felt about the result Of the vote
OF credit which will come up in the House of
Commons on Monday, although it is unlikely
that the result will be adverse to the ministry
especially if Lord Hartington's statement Of
the Soudsn policy proves satisfactory to the
liberals.
Current rumors of the resignation of Earl
Dufferin arise from the inference that he dis
agrees with the governments policy and the
fact that Dufferin accepted his position with
the understanding that he was to take the full
responsibility of the government in India
1t is rumored that Russian dispatches by
courier differ somewhat from the summary
first received by telegraph, but il is expected
that the discrepancies of the statements can
easily be reconciled. 1t is estimated that al
most half OF the vote of credit has already
been absorbed in war preparations so far or
dered, which are now too far advanced to be
rescinded. The work of equipment for the
Soudan, however, has almost ceased. The
greatest effort is being directed to the naval
armaments.
The proposed submission of the Anglo
Russian difficulty to arbitration is a promin-
ent topic of comment in the leading London
journals this morning. The wisdom of the
governments present policy is called in ques.
tion and the success of arbitration is doubt
ed. The statement OF the St Petersburg
Official Messenger, yesterday, as to the mo-
live and scheme of arbitration aud as TO the
policy of Russia and Englsnd ia regard to the
frontier negotiations and the work of delim-
ination does not strike the Standard as cal
culated to have a soothing effect upon wound
ed susceptlbilities. Far from this it expresses
the hope that "the cruel patronizing buntness
of the Messengers language NAV sting Glad.
stone to resent such a tone and quicken him
to make another speech worthy of a British
minister"
In the opinion of the Standard, the fate of
Herat is now the main question that confronts
England. This question cannot be ignored in
the present negotiations. ''No Rus sian pledge
however binding, which would only relieve US
of diplomatic squabble, ought to prevent us
from taking such action as will effectually
forestall any possible trouble"
ST PETERSBURG, Nav 8.
The Times, referring to the report current
in Vienna that Herat is not mentioned in any
Of the English negotiations with Russia SAYS,
"If the government thinks the fate OF Herat
may be left to the caprice of the Ameer, the
treacherv of the local governor or the success
of pretender, they had better tell the coun-
try their opinion and either give place to 9TH
ers who are more far seeing, or abstain from
wasting money or prestige in halt-bearted
measures which deceive nobody, and least of
all, Russia "
Discussing arbitration, the Times expresses
doubt as to the existence of any documents of
dispatches respecting the agreement of March
10Th, which are sufficiently definite for pur-
poses of arbitration. More than this, it says.
''Such small point of view as each party
took of the agreement is in any case an
exceedingly difficult one to dispose Of by ar
bitration."
LONDON, May 8.
The arbitration scheme is not making rapid
progress toward contamination. Although
Russia has not receded from her agreement
to submit the question in dispute to arbitra-
ton, yet it is announced that delay is likely
to occur in the preliminary stages of the af-
fair. Before arbitration is possible, it is
necessary for both cabinets to agree upon
specific details to be submitted to the arbitra-
ter. This may consume considerable time.
At the penary cabinet council held today,
the admiralty was directed to cancel orders to
provide conveyance for 20Q0 troops to India
LONDON, May 10.
Tonight no one processes to understand
what precise condition the negotiations with
Russia may be. The average Englishman
finds it difficult. if not absolutely impossible,
to disabuse himself of feeling that, whatever
Gladstone and Granville may say to the con-
trary, Russian diplomats have got the better
of the British.
Every delay in negotiations is redounded to
Russia's advantage. While the ministers
have been talking the Russian railroads have
been actively pushed toward the Afghan from
tier and Russian troops have seized debatable
territory. The feeling that the proposed ar
bitration is likely to fall through gains weight
from the announcement made today that
there is likely to be considerable delay pre-
pairing the preliminary details. This an.
nouncement is received by many with a smile.
The delay, it is said, will be necessary in or
der to allow the cabinets of the two countries
to come to decision on the precise points to
be submitted to the arbitrator. Baron de
Staal has proposed that the whole scheme of
arbitration be abandoned in case comparison
of the evidence regarding the P,njdeh incl
dent be found to sustain Russia's interpreta-
tion of the agreement of March 18th Gran
vile is inclined to accede to this proposition,
but only on the condition that Russia will
grant definite treaty, in which she shall
pledge herself not to make any further ad-
vance into Afghanistan. Little likelihood
Russia will make any such treaty. Russians
here, who are on terms of intimacy with Off
cials of the Russian embassy, do not hesitate
to declare openly tina, Russia intends to take
Herat.
LONDON, May 10.
The Irish ports are being put in state OF
defence in view of the possibility of war with
Russia
Earl Granville is stated to have signed an
agreement on the scope Of the proposed arbi-
tration. which leaves matters between Eng.
land and Russia open for settlement without
reference to an arbitrator. An Anglo-Turk
ish alliance has not been completed. This i.
attributed to Granville's withdrawal of tht
terms on the prospect of peace with Russia.