The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-03

modern improvements. Inc changes at Nnar-
ing Cross have been very great within the past
few years. One can never cease to lament the
removal of Northumberland House, on the
site of which now stands the Grand Hotel.
Charing Cross is favorite lounge with the
Americans who patronize the Grand, the Golden
Cross and the railway depot bars They can
procure American oysters and cocktails now un-
der the very shadow of the Nelson column; and
at the Exchange close by, they can smoke their
cigars and read the American newspapers. These
are luxures that have become common here
only within the last dozen years. There are
also new and superb Turkish baths at hand but
London, with all its progress, has not yet annex
cd the Russian baths of America. The man who
repeats this bath in London on the scale of New
York is destined to make fortune, and that
quickly; for London is slow enough to wait until
he has made his pile before they trouble MIN
with competition. But once it becomes popular
there will be Russian bath in every street
There are from fifteen to twenty magnificent
Turkish baths in London. Ten years ago there
was only one; and to-day the Russian bath is
practically unknown.
THE RUSSIAN PROBLEM.
If English prejudice is as strong as it is often
represented to be- perhaps Russian bath might
be tabooed because the English hate the Musco-
vite. 1t is, at any rate. suggested that the new
opera 'Nadeshda, y to be produced here this week,
will not be successful because the story is Rus
sian! Carl Rosa smiles at this suggestion of in
sular eccentricity, and he is right. The English
no doubt hate Russia, but their taste in art is as
cosmopolitan as that Of their American cousins.
Mr.. Chauncey Depew says the Londoners don't
understand humor. He made them funny
speech once at the Savage Club, and he says the
Savages took II solemnly and regarded his chaf
and badinage as serious oratory. Perhaps he
was too subtle for them. I hear he said some
hard and soft things of Sala at the Lotos dinner
10 Nav Vrnly hat y rpal
honey, sweet and bitter, and that itconsderably
worried Mr.. Sala, who found it no easy task to
reply At the same time Mr.. Depew paid so
high tribute to England that the echoes of it
have reached the old country. But at the mo-
ment the topics of public interest are Americas
kindness to Henry Irving and the probability of
war with Russia. While write Irving is
ing Liverpool, on his way home. The reports of
the Harvard reception, his last nights in Boston
and New York and the farewell banquet have
come on ahead of him. and they have been
printed and commented upon with great salts
faction all over the kingdom. 1t is felt that
Irving has helped to cement the strong friend
ship of the two countries; that he has not only
done honor to his profession but has represented
the national sentiment towards America. All
this is much talked Of and rejoiced in; and forms.
as said before, one OF the two topics Of the day.
The Russian difficulty drags and drifts 1t
will end In war, but how long the end will be post
poned remains to be seen. We shall have to
fight Russia that is certain. When the real
music will begin is another matter. The con-
cert may commence tomorrow or next year. If
Russia can smooth over her latest outrage, she
will do so and march on to her next This is the
story of her advance in central Asia. England
may fight her before she reaches Herat or she
may not; but Russia, meanwhile, is on her way.
She never goes back. Mr.. Gladstone recedes,
bur Mr. Gar goes on. When England really
elects to stand, the war for India will begin.
Then will Russia go back, and not until then;
but as sure as she measures herself again to
England, so surely is she doomed to vast de-
feat and to a long silence in the East. France
evidently thinks England is on the eve of war;
otherwise France would not make hostile and
emphatic protests against the suppression of
one of its traitorous newspapers at Cairo.
The truth is, the Europern nations do not love
England as a rule, any more than Russia does;
and France considers she owes England
grudge for the disasters Of Sedan and the
march on Paris. She feels that England
might have interviewed, and she has always been
jealous of English progress and English power.
If the French could be sure Of the neutrality of
Germany they would make an alliance offensive
and defensive with Russia against England.
But for the time being Bismarck appears to hold
the key to the situation 1t is said he objects to
a great war just now, and that Germany has
threatened to break up the triple alliance if
Russia does not make the amende to England.
Germany declares that the triple alliance was in
the interests of peace; and if the Russian Car is
not overborne by his military chiefs he will do
all he can to satisfy Germany. Meanwhile, the
note of preparation is heard on all sides. Cont
mental powers are reported to believe in pacific
conclusion of the trouble because they don't
think England is in earnest. They never made
a greater mistake. England is in terrible
earnest. She is like strong man
who, conscious of his strength, submits
to be pushed about by half-a-doZen
loafers until they pin him in a and hit
him. Yesterday, in alley off Drury lane, !
witnessed row among some of the scum of the
district, low thieves drunkards and rufians,
ox<d A NoIfn n~oA
strong, burly, good natured fellow Our officers
do not carry their clubs as they do in America,
on their wrists nor. indeed. do they possess a
club, but only short staff, which they keep in
English-law walked into the blind alley and tried
to stop the disturbance He rescued a woman
from the blows of brute; he pulled young man
from the clutches of another, and then bidding
lane when one of the rioters pushed him and
called him names; another followed suit, and
another he had four ugly fellows at him; it was
wonderful how he stood it and kept his temper.
One of them. mistaking his selfcontrol for
fear, struck him! Then you should have
seen the English bobby as he is called
One, two three! From both shoulders-right
and left. His men fell like nine pins, and the
fourth who had struck him, he tripped up with
his right boot-a wresteSs cut across the shins
The bobby had been boxer evidently, and had
kept his hand in. Not until two Of his assail
ants had scrambled to their feet did he draw his
staff, and then there was rafting of heads and
closing Of feet A second officer came UP in
time and the four men were secured Now this
scene occurred in low street, an alley, cul de
sac, such as you find in the Five Points Of New
York, or in the slums OF Chicago; but there was
no shooting, and probably there may ncs nave
been revolver within half mile OF the place.
Surprising the Lordssa magistrates did not en-
force the law to the lettar against the carrying
of pistols, this kind of ARRAY would in nine
cases out OF ten end in murder. AS an incl
dan tOfT nn Invl ifa L ;ply
worth narrating as an illustration of John
Bull goaded into war it is full of point, and SO
the world will one day find when Russia gets
England into very tight place and strikes real
hard hlnrv 10 dav the try is a6, and