Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-10

The European War Cloud.
A battle between the Russians and
Afghans has been fought and the civilized
world is waiting 10 see If the news of the
zen gagement will be followed by declara-
! ton of war by England against Russia.
London is greatly excited because the
situation is exceedingly grave. A war
between England and Russia will be a
struggle between giants. The resources
of both are great, and if the contest is
begun it viii not end until one or both Of
them are exhausted.
From the beginning Russia has been the
aggressor. She has not seemed to he dis
posed 10 second the efforts OF England to
reach an amicable adjustment of the AZ
CHAN boundary difficulty. Her attitude
in this matter has left little doubt that
her purpose, all along, has been to get
control Of Herat, whichis regarded as the
key torIr6la.
It is a matter Of little Importance
whether the Russians or the Afghans are
right in the claims they make with re-
spect TO the Afghan frontier question, he
cause-England, acting for the Afghans,
has stood ready to artitrate the matter,
and her commissioner for weeks bas been
waiting for the Russian commissioner
The fact that the Russian commissioner
mas not made his appearance at The place
of meeting agreed upon is a pretty good
indication that Russia doesn't want the
boundary question settled, but prefers to
make it a preteXt for war.
There is no reason for doubling that for
many years Russia has been getting ready
10 move towards India. Every strategic
point in her territory adjacent to Afghan
istau has been carefully located by able
engineers and its relative Importance
shown on carefully prepared maps.
Russia understands that win Herat in
her possession she would occupy an
almost mpregnable position from which
to advance upon India at her leisure.
1t evidently is not the purpose Of Eng
land to allow her to occupy Herat. The
English army atQuetta could he moved TO
Herat sooner, probably, than the Russians
could reach that point if war should be
declared.
vi EOuIht wal - uDb Ntiidih you lAttN-
sia may deny Any responsibility for the
action Of Gen. Komarof. She may insist
thatin attacking the Afghans ne acted
without orders and contrary to the wishes
of his government. Itseems from the dis
patches that the Russians withdrew from
Peuideh immediately after the battle.
They made no attempt to follow up their
success.
If RussIaTefuses to take the RESPONSE
bnfty for KOmarofI7s act what course will
the AGghans pursue? They We're at
tackled and they suffered a pretty heavy
loss VIII they tamely submit to the
treatment they have received or viii they
insist upon war? If they determine that
,,ar u.s. the only course left open to them,
Eaalnd, OF course. VIII nave to support
uem, because she c-nUot AFFORD TO lose
choir tricrGship.
If there is 20 BE- w5r between Russia
auI England their respective military
strength becomes at once a matter OF
.reat interest. ON Jan. last EuSland's
elective strength was s17.33l men. lu
mis- number are includcd the regular
bome aGJ colonial res,montal forces.
(Which number ~, s@l men. Tia
regular rr.mental tovces in India
um .cr rs $50 mca. The balance of the
o five strength is made up OF the
Gc,t s0J fecoud-class army reserve, mill
y.amaury and volunteers. or course,
., ~ became necessary, England could
Gr3w an immense number Of men from
H.r home and colonial populations.
Nu5sia's effective force when on q peace
footing is about 100000 men. OF these
700, 900 are regular troops and 80, 600 Cos
sacks and irregular troops. Russia, how
ever, could put 100000 men in the field
if there were a demand for that number.
} The English navy is, of course, much SUI
peror to THAT of Russia. England has
thirty first-class armored vessels, and
there are ten more under construction.
! Russia claims to have twenty-six iron
clads. Some of these are built and
others are being built. The Russian
vessels, however, are not by any means
| equal to those of England. Besides her
! armed vessels England has many torpedo
| boats, and a feetof swiftvessels especial.
ly designed for destroying ships engaged
! in commerce.
| The course of events in England and
Russia VIII bewatched with deep interes,
until it is finally determined whether
peace or war wiII-result from present
/ notifications