The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1885-05-29
FOREIGN NEWS.
The Problem Of Peace or War
Must Soon Find Solution.
Russla's Strained Financial Condition
OutspoISen English Tories-A Surprise
Promised by Gladstone-England
VIII Hold On to Egypt.

Promised by Gladstone-Engiand
VIII Hold On to Egypt.
LONDON, May 24.-Althoush the Cabi-
net have separated for the Whitsuntide
recess. Lord Granville remains in town,
only running down to Walmer Castle for
O few hours, and being within easy call
at any moment. Special messengers can
reach Walmer Castle with dispatches
from Downing street in three hours, and !
there are private wires from his lord |
ships room at the Foreign Office and his |
private apartments at the castle. Only |
those ministers whose departments are
not actively connected with the army,
navy and foreign offices are beyond i'm
be summoned and attended by all the
Ministers directly interested in six to
eight hours and in the event of sudden
emergency arising Lord Granville and
Mr.. Gladstone could be placed-in instant
communication with each other with ex-
elusive control of the wires.
p, RUSsIA'S FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.
The end OF the present state OF sus.
pense is at hand. A decision for war or
peace is confidently believed at all the
embassies to be a question of hours and
minutes. A continuance of the strained
financial situation in Russia is not mere.
ly intolerable; it is simply impossible.
At the Treasury office 1t is stated that the
daily expenditure of the Russian Govern
ment under the existing war pressure
actually exceeds the total daily cost of
the Turkish campaign, and it is estimated
that the war credit of 100000 roubles,
recently opened, will be exhausted early
in June. A large proportion of the pay
ments for the enormous Russian con-
tracts for war materials now out, must
be made in paper, or fresh loans pro-
cured from native capitalists and bankers,
it being impracticable in the present
state of the market to float a Rus
sian loan in Germany, Austria, France or
England. Trading credit has already
been severely shaken and business bad
ly demoralized in all the leading shipping
and commercial centers of the empire by
the prospect of active hostilities and the
bombardment of the seaports by British
fleets. The imposition of fresh taxes is
imminent, and the financial situation so
strained that state of actual war would
ance of the feversh restlessness and
uncertainty prevailing from one end of
the Cars dominions to the other.
These facts are thoroughly discussed
and understood here, and are regarded
at the embassies as insuring decisive ac-
/ tion on the part of the Russian Govern
ment at an earlier date than is generally
| looked for
RUPTURE THREATENED.
Apart from the financial question the
political issues involved are stated on un-
questionable authority to have re ached a
most serious stage, threatening a rup-
ture OF friendly relations at any moment.
Unfettered by official responsibility
the chiefs of the opposition are spreading
the startling information that negotia.
tions have practically collapsed and that
Russia has thrown aside the mask and
declined every pledge required by the
British Government. If these grave
statements have no foundation in fact the
Marquis of Salisbury, who would be
Prime Minister in case of change O.
government, and who was Foreign Secre
tary when Beaconsfeld was Premier, is
responsible. His words at the Tory din
ner, and subsequently, have set the eX
ample of outspoken utterances, and il
the unofficial world it is declared in th,
painest and most unmistakable Language
that the pretence of negotiations is
sham and hollow mockery, and is onl,
kept up pending the final preparation
preceding the formal declaration of war
The sudden plain speaking of the Tor,
leaders is the more significant by contras
with their recent reticcnce.
A SURPRISE IN STORE.
The contrast is heightened by the re
ports put about by supporters of the ad
ministration that Mr.. Gladstone wi
startle the House with stsurprise" o
reassembling after the recess, the "sul
prise," as understood here, being the al
nouncement of an alliance between Rus
sia and Great Britain, the premonitor
rumors respecting which began to fin
their way into print early in the week.
remains to be seen whether there is an
truth in the report. What is certainl
known, is that negotiations, apart frol
thost carried ON at the Foreign Offic,
havJ been set on foot by the Premie
Myself for complete understandin
~ basis for united action
Asia. 1t has been the dream
| the past twenty years of Mr.. Gladstone
life to go down to history as the man WI
settled the misunderstanding of the tw
{ empires, healed their differences an
| united them in the bonds of peace al
brotherhood for future devoted to ci
a ilizatlon and beneficent works in Asi
So great is his ascendancy that he pc
, suaded his colleagues to indorse his do
trine so far as to open negotiations fran
ly intended to accomplish the ends
l view. But from the very first it was a
a parent to every one except the Prin
r Minister that while the questions und
: discussion were being dallied with on Il
Q basis of sentiment, the problems at iss
i, were being solved by the sword and
: battalions outside the sphere of dipl
/ macy.
!, OPPOSITION ON THE ALERT.
The opposition leaders are invariat
among the first to know what has trar
n pired Under the civil-service syste
L the diplomatic and administrative offic
n of State, both at home and abroad, q
g filed by adherents of both parties. A
e act materially affecting the question
v peace and war, whether committed
: London or st. Petersburg, is known
n the Marquis OF Salisbury almost as so
q as to the Queen herself. The Marqu
since the war excitement began, has Ike
almost open house. Dinners, receptio
I, and parties, bringing the representatiy
= of diplomacy of Europe together unt
y his roof, have followed each other
:, rapid succession, and at this moment
4, best informed man on foreign affa
q in Great Britain, after Lord Granvil
l. is he who would instantly step il
Ie Gladstone's shoes in the event of
y a