The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1885. The Anglo-Russian Complication.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1494, 21 March 1885, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1885. The Anglo-Russian Complication.

A week ago the world appeared to be upon the threshold of a great war —a war that threatened to involve every important Power in Europe, and to disturb the long immunity from military aggression enjoyed by the British colonies. To-day there are indications, perhaps not assurances, that the Anglo-Russian complication is capable of pacific solution. We never seriously contemplated that Prince Bismarck’s colonising enterprise would lead to hos tilities between England and Germany; the relative geographical positions of the two'countries and their mutual interest in the preservation of peace are the best guarantees we could have for the continuance of their present friendly relations. France could hardly resist the vortex of an European War, and her present overtures to China for peace are significant, but recollecting the very cordial assurances recently exchanged between her diplomatists and those of Germany, and the hbsence of any casus belli between her and England, it is difficult to predict occupation for her arms, but in the present temper of France it does not follow that her arms will not be employed. As regards Russia, we do not suppose that anyone will attribute her present hesitancy in ‘Afghanistan to friendly considerations towards England. Either it is a ruse to strengthen her position, a strategic feint, or, which in our opinion is more probable, she has discovered that the time for attack is not opportune. She nay have mistaken the Teutonic bluntness of Prince Bismarck for the forerunner of estrangement if not actual hostilities between England and Germany; she may have thought India ripe for revolt; and she may have credited all the English press has had to say of England’s military and naval decay. But she has found that blunt as the German’s are they are far to astute to fight for a shadow, that even the Hinhaye not been impressed with the magnanimity of the Russian Government'and possess some w.ellrgrounded suspicion that the fire is not preferable to the /f”’ n 2 Pan. The linglish Press, too, may have Russia. It must indeed be difficult for the '*f!, , s CoV^e mind to comprehend a constitution which provided for the complete freedom of the subject, and quite impossible for it to fathom the latitude given to the Press. It probably mistook the venerable limes, the Standard, and Pall Mall Gazette for audacious Socialistic organs, seeking the overthrow of the Empire by a revelation of its diminished power. But Russia has recognised, none too soon for her own safety, that the British Empire is still intact and powerful, and the Russian troops will probably be withdrawn from Afghanistan with what grace they may, and her designs upon India will be postponed to a more fitting season.