The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1900-02-24
RUSSIA IS ACTIVE IN ASIA.
GREAT BRITAIN's CLOSE WATCH
She Has Not Decided What to Do
Must Act NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Was FoOled-A High Official
Speaks.

London, Feb. 10 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 whether she in
tends this as a distinct demonstration
against Afghanistan or merely as blind
to draw Oft attention from Orul to ulti-
mately assist her objects in the Persian
gulf, is merely a matter of surmise What
ever all this really means, large portion
OF the British public and the press is de-
voting serious attention to that time-worn
bugbear, 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 officials, which in Lne
main are those of Lord Salisbury, upon
this latest development. But, first OF all,
II will be necessary to say that no action
has yet been taken or decided on by the
British.
''NNiNS o5C bhC IL pun VI d INuooldu dU-
vance was circulated, and when ques-
toned on the subject the Russian ambas-
sadOc assured his dear friends in Downing
street that the reports were exaggerated.
1t was nothing but annual maneuvers,
he explained, and least of all was it in
tended as a menace. In fact, it was so
belittled by this diplomat that the British
officials had no other alternative but to
believe the reports were practically un-
true, especially as Russia, in conjunction
with every other European power, had
few weeks previous formally assured Lord
Salisbury that she had not the faintest
intention of profting by Great Britain's
embarrassment in South Africa by press
ing outstanding claims or interfering 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 it
mildly, misled Lord Salisbury, and the
foreign office on Wednesday last had to
bring itself up with a sharp turn to the
realization that the Central Asian stu
alton demanded immediate action. Yet,
what form such attention will take const-
tutes dilemma, on the horns of which
the English government is still perched.
Details OF the proceedings on the borders
of Afghanistan are still lacking, and are
likely to be for some time. As a high
official said to a representative of the
Associated Press:
If we politely suggest to the Russian
ambassador that further explanation is
in order we are sure to get the same
friendly assurances that it does not
amount to anything If we address a
formal, stringent protest to st. Peters
burg we deliberately cast doubt upon Rus
sia's spontaneous declaration of friendship
and non-inteference 1t is possible it s
what the Americans call a bluff But
we have to be very sure of our facts before
proceeding ON such basis.
If the movement is as important as
represented, l think it far likelier that
she intends to make demonstration Of
the strength that might be brought to
bear upon some minor concessions to be
asked for by Russia hereafter"
The opinion of this official and those of
the majority of persons accurately in
formed is that Russia's move is merely
one of the finer points of the diplomatic
game and that she has no more idea of
forcing war with Great Britain than
she has of forcing a war upon the United
States. So, that while it appear that
international relations are really not
threatened with any serious break, it also
appears that Russia is likely to get what
ever she asks for, within reasonable dip
/ lomacy, in the near future.