New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-12
ENGLAND READY FOR VAR

Only a slender hope of European peace re-
mains. Our special cable dispatches contain an
admirable summary of the situation and point
to Prince Bismarck's will as the only force that
can avert the outbreak of hostilties. English
bankers affect belief that the Russian war
party will be alarmed by the collapse OF the
stock market As Russian Generals are not re-
puted to be fnancers. this consideration is en-
titled to little weight. In every European
capital war is considered inevitable. 1t Will
open with Russia in possession OF an open ROAD
to Herat, and with masses of troops already on
the ground. If England delays the declaration
of war a week, the hostile army may be outside
Herat and judging from Lord Granvllle's
last message to the Russian Ambassador, 1t can
not be delayed much longer. The British
Secretary announces that England will treat
with Russia no more until the Russian OutpOsts
in Afghanistan are withdrawn to where they
were a year ago when the Frontier Commits
sion was appointed.
The English conscience does not revolt
against the war which has been begun 50 dis
honestly by Russia Party lines have momen-
tarily disappeared, the timorous advocates OF
peace at any price have been silenced and all
classes are showing signs of intlexible purpose.
The campaign will be a popular one, because it
is considered both necessary and just. 1t Is
necessary because in no other way can the
effect of Russian aggression be neutralized in
Eastern Afghanis,an and India. 1t Lord
Lytton had not invaded the hill country, Jr if
the Ameer had not been converted into British
ally, whose remote territories must be defended
at any cost, the defence of India might have
Al. ii fntt.
passes of the Suleiman. But the frontier of
India now lies long way from the Indus
Valley. 1t stretches beyond Candahar to
Herat and PeDjdeh, where the Russian chal-
lenge has been delivered is the extreme out
post. 1t is not good frontier; indeed, Lord
Beaconsfeld would have described it as I'M
scientific but it cannot be abandoned without
loss of prestige that would endanger the
security of India. As our London correspond
ent tersely says in his cable dispatch, it would
be confession that Russian deeds are better
guarantee than British pledges. 1t is a neces
sary war, and in the Judgment of the great mass
of Englishmen, has been inevitable since the
recent Russian cOnquests in Central Asia.
The campaign will also appeal strongly to the
moral instincts of Engishmen. The work of
ruling two hundred and fifty millions of
Asatics is one that has entailed tremendous
burdens and responsibilities. The stealthy ap-
prOaches of Russia clash with the pacific
tendencies of British rule and create feeling
of uncertainty throughout India. Englishmen
are convinced that war that will answer once
for all the question which Is asked i'll every
mountain hamlet in Afghanistan and in the vast
hives of population beyond the Indus, will be as
righteous as it is necessary. That question is,
How will the battle for supremacy in Asia
end I" Let the answer once be given in the
thunder tones of the greatest war ever fought
in Asia, and there will be an immovable barrier
against the surging sea of Russian intrigue and
ambition. Englishmen have come to regard it
as moral duty to reDel an advance which in
the words of Sir Lepel Griffin, = is no more Il
again to civilization than was the Eruption Of
Huns and Vandas, who for centuries crushed
the civilization of Europe"
This unquestionably is the view which now
prevails in Great Britain. The moral sense of
the people recois from insidious diplomacy
of treacherous intrigue and transparent dis
stimulation. Mr.. Gladstone's scrupulous regard
for Engands plighted faith is a conspicuous
foil tor NJ. dc Giers's unscrupulOusness. The
Prime Minister can defend declaration of war
without having recourse to the s0phistries of
his Egyptian speeches. He can appeal to the
conscience of the Nation on the ground of
Russias gross breach of solemn engagements.