The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-03-02
MAKES ENGLAND UNEASY
Advance of Strong Force With
in Striking Distance of Herat.
MENACED BY RUSSIA,
Foreign Office Convinced that the
Central Asia Situation Demands
linn ediate Attention.

London, Feb. 17.-What is known in
Great Britain as the Central Asian peril
once more obscures the pacific interna-
tlonal aspect of affairs. As viewed by
the Man in the Street, the definite news
shows that in spite of dcnials, Russia
has advanced a strong force within strik-
ing distance of Herat, and whether she
intends this as distinct demonstration
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, large portion of
the British public and press is devoting
serious attention to that time-worn bug
bear, the menacing shadow OF the bear
Though Lord Salisbury refused to dis
cuss the question in the House of Lords,
the Associated press is able to give the
opinions of British government officials,
y Which, IN the main, are those Of Lord
Salisbury, upon this latest development.
But, first of all, it will be we'll to say
that no action has yet been taken or de-
cided on by the British.
sinpy the Annual Maneuvere.
vance was circulated, and when ques-
toned Oh the subject the Russian ambas-
sador assured his dear friends in Down
ing street that the reports were eXagger-
| ated. 1t was nothing but annual maneu-
yers, he explained, and, least of all. was
1T intended a menace. In fact it was
so belitled by this diplomat that the
british officials had no other alternative
but to believe the reports were practical
" untrue, especially as Russia in con-
| junction with every other European pow
| er had, few weeks previous, formally
! assured Lord Salisbury that he had not
| the falntest Intention of profting by
Great Britain's embarrassment in South
Africa by pressing outstanding claims or
| interfering in any way. News from Cen
trail Asia trickles into England slowly,
sources information showing that Rus
sias ambassador had, to put it mildly,
| misled Lord Salisbury, and the foreign
office, Wednesday last, had to bring it.
| self up with sharp turn to the realiza
| ton that the Central Asian situation de-
mandcd immediate attention.
Parting of the Ways.
| What form such attention will take
constitutes a dilemma, on the horns of
which the British government is still
peryhcd. Details of the proceedings on
the borders Of Afghanistan are still lack
ing and are likely to be SO for some time.
AS a high official said to representative
of the Associated press: If we politely
suggest to the Russian ambassador that
a further explanation is in order we are
sure to get the same friendly assurances
that it does not amount to anything. II
we address formal, stringent protest to
st. Petersburg VIC deliberately cast doubt
on Russians practically spontaneous dec
laration of friendship and non-interfer-
ence. 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. l suppose he will
die some day and there will possibly be
great disorder. But, until this occurs,
fail to see what Russia can effect. If
the movement Is as important as repre-
scented, | 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
A Diplomatic Game.
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 a war with Great Britain than
she has of forcing war upon the United
States. So, while it appears that inter