The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-18


that the differences between England and Rus
sia concerning the Afghan frontier are of only
secondary Importance, and do not imperil set
tlement.
A Scotchman's Defense of Mr.. Gladstone.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON May 17.-Archibald McKinstry,
gentleman who has large estate in the north
ern part of Scotland, is here on a visit to the
United States, his object being to invest money
in some of the growing towns of the West Mr..
McKinstry is man who has keen insight into
national affairs, and his views upon the Anglo
Russian situation are forcible and seem to be
sound. There is great deal of talk in this
country, I see" said Mr.. McKinstry,
'of Gladstone's vacillating and cowardly
policy. The British government is accused
OF being afraid of war, and of dishonorably back
ing down from every position it has taken. |
wonder if your newspaper writers have any con-
ception of what war means between two such
nations as England and Russia. 1 assure you
it will be no chlds play. If the first gun is ever
fired, it will be long while before the final
articles of peace are signed We have in Great
Britain million men who ready and
willing to fight for their country. The
people of the British empire are willing to tax
themselves to an enormous extent to carry on a
war with Russia when the time for that war
comes. tits very well for third party, sitting
On the fence, to say: Go it Lion or Go it
Bear as long as it is a safe distance away, and
has no fur at stake, but to those who are direct
y interested the uttermost caution is essential.
The government of the Czar is such that war
ha 20 IJo
pay his soldiers in fat money and they
will be satisfied. A war with England
would i'll a measure stop the internal snarlings
which constantly menace the peace of the EN-
pire Russia has everything to win, nothing to
lose. With u.s. on the contrary, it is entirely diff
ferent. While we have navy that is the great
est in the world, it is not great enough for our
diversified interests. We have an army of ma
tive and European troops in India of something
like three quarters of million men. This
number could probably be doubled inside
OF the year, if necessary, but an
Afghan campaign would draw upon our resources
elsewhere. Still, it is absolutely certain that
the day is not far distant when we must meet the
question face to face and decide whether or not
we can permit the Russian advance toward our
indian frontier. Gladstone is not cowardly. He
is statesman, however, who does not care to
involve himself in a war if it can be avoided.
The old man loves his people and they
love him. While there are many of the
Jlngo variety who are bowling at him, and in
sisting upon an immediate declaration Of war;
the rank and file of the British people are more
conservative and do not care To becone in voIvad
in war until all honorable methods have
failed. While we may have had the worst of
it thus far, in a diplomatic way, do not think
that our government will stand a great deal
more, and the indications were, when 1 left
London, ten days ago, that when war finally did
come IL would find us we'll prepared"