The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-19

from Armenia. The possession of such fertile
country as Persia, situated SO favorably, the
Spectator thinks, would be most valuable to
Russia in any aggressive movement southwark.
The government has decided to station num-
Der of armed merchantmen at the South African
cape at Bombay, also Sydney and elsewhere, as
a provisional means of defense for British in
terests in those quarters of the world, and in
case of an Anglo Russian war
The British Admiralty have been success
fully negotiating with Chill for the purchase of
part Of the Chilian navy. Four second-class
torpedo boats have already been bought. Orders
have been issued for the immediate dispatch of
the torpedo boats to Vancouvers island, for use
in the North Pacific ocean in case of emergency.
The work of fortifying Singapore will be COM
menced at once One hundred and twenty trust
worthy Malays will be Immediately instructed
in torpedo secrets.
The government has decided to put
stop. for the present, to all volun-
teer retirements among army officers.
Members of the Indian volunteer force have
not yet been requested to enlist They
have been simply requested to muster their
names with the government. The War Office
is engaged in the work of providing for each
member Of this force Martini rifle, fifty
rounds oe ammunition, necessary personal
accoutrements, and an extra allowance of five
rupees toward the purchase of uniform
The gun works of Sir William Armstrong have
been given large number of new war orders;
among these is an order for seventy small field
pieces, and another for 400 Nordenfelt guns.
Russia is strongly fortifying Sveabourg.
1t is reported that Waddington, French minis
ter at London, has telegraphed De Freycinet
that there need be no fear of war between Eng
land and Russia, as the two countries have agreed
upon plan for settling the Afghan frontier
question.
A Russian prince, at present in Paris has re-
ceived personal telegram from the Car, in
which the latter conveys the expression of a
strong hope that peace will be established be-
tween England and Russia by means Of mutual
concessions.
NJ DeFreycinet read to the French Cabinet
at meeting to-day. a number of dispatches
concerning the Afghan dispute between Russia
and England All the dispatches indicate that
ing positions of control on both sides, and that
the powers not directly engaged in the quarrel
are actively exertng their influence to secure
maintenance of peace.
A dispatch from Rome to the Exchange Tee
graph Company states that an Italian fleet is be-
| ing fitted out for movement to the Baltic sea-
| and that number of seamen engaged for
service in the Red sea have been recalled with a
view to change of destination to the Baltic
The same dispatch says that the Italian govern
ment is preparing another naval expedition,
which, it is understood will be kept in readiness
| to 60 to the Black sea whenever necessary.
| Dispatches received this afternoon from
Vienna and Constantinople state that Austria and
| Germany have warned the Porte that the Berlin
treaty will be annulled if either English or Rus
| sian warshps are allowed to pass thr ough the
Bosphorus in the event of war between England
| and Russia.