The Feilding Star. TUESDAY. MARCH 31, 1885. War with Russia

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 122, 31 March 1885, Page 2

The Feilding Star. TUESDAY. MARCH 31, 1885. War with Russia

Although war has not yet been actually declared, yet there no longer exists a hope that it will be averted. On Friday last, in the House of Lords, Earl Granville, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said that on Thursday he had an interview with the Russian Ambassador on the subject of the communication recently ; made by the British Government to Russia respecting the state of affairs on the Afghan frontier, and was informed that the Russian Government still had under consideration the reply to be made to the communication in question. In the meantime the advance of supports still goes on, and Eussia has massed 50,000 men at Baku, a fortified town on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. On the side of England preparations are actively being made to meet the Russian advance. Although considerable anxiety is felt in London as to the result of the negotiations with Russia, yet it is understood that the Government will not flinch from the stand England has taken. It is held by some writers that as England is much better prepured for war than Russia, and every hour's delay is a gain to Russia, England ought to force on the war, while the Russian base is still nearly 400 miles from the theatre of operations in Afghanistan. If one " short, sharp, and decisive" campaign in India would settle the matter, this view would be very acceptable to us in the Colonies, who hare so much to fear from the visits of Russian cruisers, who would lay us under contribution, or perhaps wantonly destroy the defenceless sea-port towns, and the shipping on our coasts. As for defending ourselves, we publish ,in another column a statement of the arms and ammunition in this Colony, which shows that we have not enough cartridges to supply the quantity needed for a four hours' engagement. The war material sent fur to the Home Country cannot possibly arrive here before a period of twelve months has elapsed. In our opinion it would have been perhaps better to have purchased in the American market, at least sufficient for our immediate requirements. England and Russia are both largely dependant on that country for certain war material, and New Zealand could have followed their example without loss of prestige. We observe that Victoria and New South "Wales are 11 arming for the fray" in anticipation of an attack, and foreign over-sea vessels are for the present prohibited from entering Melbourne Heads between sunset and sunrise. A gunboat has been stationed outside to enforce this law, and give an alarm in case of need. We learn from our English telegrams that two ships of war, the Roquefort and the Black Prince, newly-commissioned vessels, will be probably added to the Australian fleet. Immediately war is declared the firstclass New Zealand militia will be called out and made as efficient as circumstances will permit of. Although the Colonies may T.-e comparatively defenceless, .yet they are determined to give a warm reception to any foreign foe that may venture to attack them.