Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1885-04-14
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I LANCASTER, APRIL Il, 1885.
The Coming War.

1t looks very much, 1ndeeu, as tnouBh
England and Russia are to engage in |
protracted struggle for Asiatic ascendancy.
The impression heretofore has been that
war would not come, because 1t would not
pay either party to fight for the matter in
dispute between them, which seemed to he
the location of the Afghan boundary. 1t
has been thought that Russia, particularly,
could not really be desirous of engaging in
war with 50 powerful an enemy, in view of
her political and financial weakness. Her
ambition to extend her territorial lines,
seemed to be senseless in view Of her pres
ent unwieldy limits. And as to England's
desire for war 1T has been taken for granted
that it would be fully satisfied with the
fights she has now on hand.
But all this sound reasoning Of sensible
people goes for nOught in view of the
demonstrations that both England and
Russia want to go to war. There can
hardly be doubt Of this any longer in any
mind. General Komaroff first began the
fighting and testified to Russia's eagerness
for the struggle. The English government
is apparently hanging back in the hope of
finding peaceful solution of the quarrel,
despite the battle that has been fought in
It. 1t may be that Gladstone de-
sires peace and does not think
the time to he opportune for Eng
land to engage in another war. Or it
may be that he is essaying Russian diplo-
macy and deceit, and under the cover of
his apparent hesitation is hurrying forward
in secrecy the Indian troops to the scene
Of the conflict. Whatever may be Glad
stones aims, it is clear enough that the
English people behind him call for a speedy
and vigorous rally to arms. Upon all sides
it is seen that General Komaroff's attempt
to give pacific appearance to his battle is
an imposture it is clear that his act was
aggressive. His government has CON-
mended and decorated him for it. 1t has
demonstrated that it is for war.
Why Russia should have this seemingly
mad purpose is the puzzle; and there seems
to be nc other way Of accounting for it,
than by the suppOsition that her rulers con-
ceive that an effective way to heal her In
ternal troubles will be to engage in a for.
eign war, which win have the sympathy
of the people enlisted in it. The Russian
people desire war with England and the
Russian government is reduced to satisfy
the desire in the belief that it will strength
en- itself thereby internally, where it Sc
much needs healing Another consideration
probably is that this Is a very Opportunt
time to engage with England while she ha.
another war or 50 on her hands. 1t is true
that Russia Is poor in money but she has
abundant food resources and plenty OF
men; and soldiers, and the wherewithal tC
feed them, are the only really essential
equipment for war. Russia can 60 to
war IL she wants to; and she almost Ger.
tainly wants to.
1t will be great conflict If 1t comes, an.
cannot but be helpful to the productive
industries of this country. Russian grair
will he kept from export and English com
merce will leave the seas. We will take tn,
place Of each warning country In supplying
the world. This is the common view takel
Of the effect of the war, and correct
one; although there are those who claiu
that we will not reap any great benefi
from our neutrality and that European
investors in our stocks will sell them out
rs we'll as their own, and hoard their gold
1t seems, however, too clear for dispute
that with two great nations of the worlt
fighting instead of producing and hamperet
instead Of free In their commerce, anothe
great nation, producing and with unre-
stricted commerce, is bound to prof
greatly by the situation. The only ques
tion in the matter is, whether the war is a
hand and notwithstanding its self-eviden
and supreme folly, 1t seems to be writer
that II. Is.