New-York tribune., 1885-03-05
THE RUssO-EyGLISH CRISIS.

When the Marquis OF Lothian asKeo III tne
IJouse of Lords: "D0es the whole question or
- peace or war between England and Russia
q adepepd upon chance squabble between
q Afghan and Russian Outposts " Lord Granvile
so;d tbot he must have notice of the question;
that is, he must have time to answer IL. At INC
moment il Looks as if the answer might have to
he in the affirmative. For if a collision occurs
between the Afghan and Russian outposts, the
nresumption is that the former VIII be driven
in. that the latter will be pushed forward, ana
that the Russian advance to Herat will forth
with proceed without disguise. In these
circumstances England cannot avoid war unless
she abandons Abdurrahman-wn Is already
virtuolly her subsidized ally-and surrenders
Afpbanistan to her rival. She may at first con-
fine herself to helping the Ameer with money
and munitions of war but if llcrat is to be
saved troops will have to be dispatched from
India to the rescue, and that promptly. a
statement to the effect that England had
l5O. 900 troops in readiness to resist the
Russian advance is wildly inaccurate. The
Indian army is 10000 strong, and but oo'ooo
of its men are Europeans. The greater part
of the cavalry and artillery Is massed
in the Punjaub. The cavalry Is some
%. 900 strong, of which number one-slXth
consists of English troops. The artillery since
the mutiny has been wholly English Since
the uncovcring of Russia's hand In Central ASIA
two regiments have left England for India,
and II is doubtful whether more can be fur-
nished at present.
The armies of the Indian Prcsidencies may
be depleted, but cannot be Withdrawn. Inc
defence of Afghanistau would require an eXpe-
dictionary force OF 10000 men, aud to supply
this wo1ld strain the resources OF the lnulah
Government. But the weakness ana unpre-
paredness are not all on one side. Russia Is IN
financial straits, as usual, and though govern
mental insolvency never prevents war Deihg
wagcd especially in barDarous regions, the
lack of money and credit III ust operate To retard
military movements seriously. Nor are the
Russian plans for concentrating large force IN
the region of the MuTghab complete, and
| unless she has stolen march on England by
secretly collecting troops in that ncighborhood
il is doubtful whether she could by the utmost
efforts bring an army corps into the field
ouckly enough to prevent the British occupa-
| tion of Hcrat and Candahar. Now that the
| alarm has been given it is not likely that Herat
| can be taken by a dash. 1t il very strong
| place and the Afghan garrison could probably
| hold il agairs any force the Russians can push
forward and in few weeks it can be occupied
| by English troops from the Punjaub.
The Russian Government does not expect
war, and probably did expect that Mr. Glad
stone would do nothing about the Afghan
frontier But public opinion in England is pro-
nounced on the necessity OF preserving the
! independence of Afghanstan. and If the
military circle at st. Petersburg is resolved to
utilize this imagined opportunity for the exteD-
sion of Russian territory in Central Asia, 1t
may be impossible for the diplomatists on
either side to avert war. 1t is believed that
the Car desires peace. Ii Is certain that Mr..
| Gladstone does. Neither of tho Powers is at
| all i'm a condition to undertake serious war.
Yet the question of outposts is really question
of vital Importance at this juncture. and it is
quite possible that Afghan or Cossack ferocty
or imprudence may result in conflict involving
momentous consequences for both England and
|