Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1900-02-23
RUSSIA IS ACTIVE N asia
GREAT BR1TAIN's CLOSE WATCH
She Has Not Decided What 10 Do
AWst Act lasm~a ~aiat~iy-Sal
Was EoOi~sl-A High OIRriai
speaks.

London, Feb. - What is known in
Great Britain as the Central Asian peril
once more ob,cures the pacific interna-
isonal aspect Of Affairs. As viewed by
the man in the street, the definite news
shows that in spite OF denials Russia has
advanced strong force within striking
distance of licrat, and whether she in
tends this as "A distinct demonstration
against Afghanistan or merely as blind
to draw oil 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 10 that time worn
bngbcar, the menaclng shadow vi the
/ bear. Though Lord Salisbury refused io
discuss the question in the house uf lords,
the Associated Press is able to give the
! opinions oi British officials, which in Inc
main are those Of Lord Salisbury, upon
this latest development. But, first Of all,
1t will be necessary to say that no action
has yet been taken OK decided on by the
British.
| Ncehs "So tuc vi u lNussiuu
vance MAS circulated, and when ques-
toned ON the subject the Russian anrbas-
sador assured his dear friends in Downing
street that the reports were exaggerated.
1t was nothing but annual mancuvcrs,
he explained, and least of all was it in
tended AS u menace. In fact, it was M
hc!i':!cd by this diplomat that the British
officials had no other alternative but to
believe the reports were practically un-
true. especially ~ Russia, in conjunction
with every other European power, had u
lew weeks previous formally assured Lord
Salisbury that she had not the faintest
intention Of protting by Great Britain's
embarrassment in South Africa by press.
ing outstanding claims OF interfering in
any way.
News from Central Asia trickles into
England slowly, but this week there came
from many sources information showing
that Russia ambassador had, to put II
mildly, misled Lord Salisbury, and the
foreign Office on Wednesday last had 10
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 consti-
. tutes "A dilemma, on the horns Of which
the English government is still perched.
, Details OF the proceedings on the borders
, Of Aighanistan are still lacking, and are
likely To be for some time. AZ high
!, official said to a representative Of the
Associated Press:
III We politely suggest to the Russian
!. ambassador that a further explanation is
!, in order We are sure TO get the same
: friendly assurances that il does not
, amount 10 anything II we address d
: formal, stringent protest to st. Peters
burg We deliberately cast doubt upon Rus
sia = spontaneous declaration OF friendship
and non Interference. Ii is possible II u
what the Americans call bluff But
: We have to be very sure Of our facts before
proceeding ON such u basis.
III the movement II as important a.
represented, think 1t far likelier tina,
she intends TO make a demonstration ol
> the strength that might be brought to
bear upon some minor concessions to bt
asked for by Russia hereafter"
The opinion OF this official and those 0l
the majorty Of persons accurately In
Z formed is that Russia's move 10 merely
9 one Of the finer points Of the diplomatic
9 game and that she has no more idea ol
forcing war with Great Britain than
y she has Of forcing war upon the United
States. so, that while it appear that
international relations are really moi
! threatened with any serious break, 1t also
c appears that Russia is likely 10 get what
ever she asks for, within reasonable dip
y lomaey, in the near future.