RUSSIAN ADVANCES ON INDIA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1207, 17 April 1885, Page 3

RUSSIAN ADVANCES ON INDIA.

.In an article on the present Anglo Russian complication the Melbourne Argus writes

Six months ago a warning was given in the English Press that such a crisis was likely to occur. The St. James’ Gazette gave the substance of a memoi annum alleged to have been prepared by “ one of th" most competent, most highly placed, and most trusted servants of the Queen of India” on the subject of the approaching peril. And the views express din this memorandum were said to he endorsed by Sir Donald Stewart (commander-in-chief of her majesty’s forces in India), Sir Frederick Roberts (commander of the Madras force), and Sir Charles MacGregor (quartermaster general in India)- -that is to say, by the three most distinguished and important of Anglo-Indian military officers—-the men who have been called to the front at the present juncture The belief formally ex pressed by these officers was stated in October la»t to be that Russia is preparing fur a grand advance upon certain objective points, whence an invasion of India cuuid be made with comparative ease, and probably in the midst of rebellion. They averred their conviction that every move ment of the Russians in Cent: al Asia points to this as its final object. They averred—so we are told—that within the last three vears, and more especially within the last year, those movements have been moie rapid, more determinate, and more significant. The design, they asserted, is unquestionable ; the means exist, and the opportunity has arrived. It would have surprised none of them even in October last, to hear that the movement had alroidy begun. They expected to hear before long that it had begun. The ca'culations were said to snow that “ Russia can in from 80 to 100 days put 95,000 regular tioops into positions from wh ch we can hardly drive her, and from which she can und-rtake ihe invasion of India at her own convenience and with a fair expectation of success.” The Indian Foreign Office had definite information, according to the St.,James’ Gazette, that Russia bad an excess force of abut 60,000 men concentrated in the direction of Bokhara, Merv, and Sirakbs, and the ex perts believed that in a few months, perhaps a few weeks, would see a march on Herat. The announcement we have referred to was treated at the time as an alarmist's scare. But the St. James’ Oazzetle staked its reputation upon the substantial truth of its communication, and there can he no doubt now that some such warnings as those in question were given to the Indian and the Imperial Governments, and that to a great extent they are now believed in.