The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-17
BEARS SHADOW.
1t Is Again Cast Over the Brit
ish Empire.
Central Asia Problem Presses
For Attention.
RUSSIA MOVING UP.
Has Advanced Troop In Direc-
tiOn of Herat.
All the While Expressing Most
Pacific Intentions.
RUSSIA MOVING UP.

Correspondence of Associated Press)
London, Feb. 17.-What is known in
Great Britain as the central Asian peril
once more obscures the pacific interna-
tional aspect of affairs. AS viewed by
the man-in-the-street the definite news
shows that in spite of denials Russia
has advanced a strong force within
striking distance of Herat, and wheth-
er she intends this as a distinct dem
onstration against Afghanistan or
merely a blind to draw off attention
from, or ultimately assist her objects
in the Persian gulf is merely matter
of surmise. Whatever all this really
means a large portion Of the British
public and press is devoting serious at
tention to that time-worn burbear, the
menacing shadow of the bear.
Though Lord Salisbury refused to-
discuss the question in the house OF
lords, the Associated Press is able to
give the opinions of British government
officials, which in the main are those OF
Lord Salisbury upon this latest develop
ment. But first of all it will be well to
say that no action has yet been taken,
or decided on by the British Weeks
ago the report of a Russian advance
was circulated, and when questioned on
the subject the Russian ambassador
assured his dear friends in Downing
street that the reports were exaggerat-
6Q II WAS nOIn1nS DuL annual ma
noeuvers. he explained, and least of
all, it was intended as a menace. In
fact, it was SO belittled by this diplo-
mat that the British officials had no
other alternative but to believe the re-
ports We're practically untrue especially
as Russia, in conjunction with every
other European power had a few
weeks previous, formally assured Lord
Salisbury that she had not the faintest
intention of profiting by Great Britains
embarrassment in South Africa by
pressing outstanding claims, or inter-
fering in any way.
News from central Asia trickles into
England slowly but this week there
came from many sources information
showing that Russia's ambassador had
TO put 1t mildly misled Lord Salisbury
and the f0Feig .a0fiice Wednesday last
had to bring itself up with a sharp turn
to the realization that the Central
Asian situation demanded immediate
consideration. Yet what form such
attention will take constitutes a di-
lemma on the horns of which the Brit
ish government is still perched. De-
tails of the proceedings on the borders
of AfghaniStan are still lacking and
are likely to be so for some time. AS
high official said to representative of
the Associated Press:
IF we politely suggest to the Rus
sian ambassador that a further eX-
PLANTATION is in order, We are sure to
get the same friendly assurances that
1t does not amount to anything. If we
address a formal, stringent protest to
st. Petersburg we deliberately cast
doubt on Russia's practically Spontan-
eous declaration of friendship and nom
interference. It is possible the latter is
what the Americans call a bluff But
we have to be very sure of our facts
before proceeding on such a basis. The
ameer is not i'll in spite of all the
alarming reports. I suppose he will
die some day and there will possibly be
great disorder. But until this occurs.
1 fail to see what Russia can effect
f17ov
ported 1 think it far likelier that she
intends to make a demonstration of the
strength that might be brought to bear
upon some minor concessions to be
asked for by Russia hereafter
The opinion of officials and those of
the majority of persons accurately in
formed, is that Russia'S move is mere
ly one of the finest points of the di-
plomatic game and that she has no
more idea of forcing a war with Great
Britain than she has of forcing a war
upon the United States. So while it ap-
pears that international relations are
really not threatened with any serious
break, it also appears that Russia is
likely to get whatevr she asks for,with-
in reasonable diplomacy in the near fu-
ture. Nothing is more patent, from the
conversation of the cabinet ministers
and officials, than the desire to conciII-
ate and not to OVerValue minor cOnceS-
sions- However, it must not be inferred
that Great Britain intends to allow her
self to be buIIied into granting any
thing asked for and it is interesting to
note in this connection that the chan
nels squadron consisting of eight bat
tleships and other craft. is due in tina
neighborhood of Gibraltar. February 26-
The renewed naval activity has had
almost q s much to do with the return OF
national confidence as Lord Roberts
evident grasp of the campaign. While
the nation is still looking askance at
the new military programme introduce
ed this week, there is genuine gratif4ca-
ton at learning that the reports that
hundreds of thousands Of tons Of
Welsh .srnokeleSS coal had been bought
for a foreign nation are untrue. There
is no substitute for that breath of en-
pire." It is almost as important as
to be seriously diminished, it would af-
feet Great Britain's power of defense
tremendously.
The navy's activity is also evidenced
in it's progress with wireless telegraphy.
Experiments viii shortly be made to
ascertain whether it is possible to COM
rnunicate by this means between ships
test in ascertaining the whereabouts OF
an enemy and countless other points OF
warfare, cannot be overestimated-
The queens personal interest in the
men fighting her battles is being con-
stantly Illustrated by her visits to Net
tley hospital and the private houses,
where lie officers and men who were
wounded in South Africa. A few days
ago her majesty stood godmother to
the child of a majors wife, whose hus-
band was killed at Elandslaagte and
she has now summoned to Osborne
Bugler Dunn, aged Is, of the First Roy
al Dublin Fusiliers who was the first to
cross the Tugela river, though the men
Of the regiment tried to keep him back.