JPI 4gttildins jf for-THURSDAY, APEIL 9, 1885. The Anglo-Russian Crisis .

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 126, 9 April 1885, Page 2

JPI 4gttildins jf forTHURSDAY, APEIL 9, 1885. The Anglo-Russian Crisis .

Although the information which reached this Colony some days ago by wire informed us that Russia had agreed to the zone which should be recognised by both powers as the Afghan frontier, yet we learn that the reply of the Russian Government to the now memorable despatch of Earl Granville, dated the 16th of March, has been under the consideration of the English Cabinet, and it is believed that this reply of the Russian Minister of War, M. de Giebs, is not of a satisfactory, nature, and further negotiations will be necessary befoie the Russo- Afghan frontier question is settled. In the interim both Governments are making active preparations for war. On the part of England, the Times says if Russia wishes to fight, England .is not only ready but willing. The British war office is despatching troops and material of war to India with all possible speed, and preparations are being made for advancing troops to the probable future scene of operations. The Maharajah of Nepaul has offered a force of 15,000 Gourkas in the event of war being declared, and as these have hitherto proved the best and bravest of all the Indian native troops, their services will be gladly accepted. A detachment of engineers is about to be despatched to Herat to put that city in a state of defence. On the part of Russia the ambassador of that power in Paris has declared that the Czar's troops cannot withdraw with honor. That means that they will not retire unless at the points of British bayonets. The Russian Press advocates war, and hopes that the isolated security hitherto enjoyed by Great Britain will now be destroyed. They also advocate sending cruisers into the Indian and Pacific Oceans to destroy the English mercantile fleets in those seas. Russian quarter-masters are purchasing more camels than they require in Bokhara, in order to deprive the English, troops of the means of transportation, but as this body of men are notorious swiiv dlers, should English buyers want the animals and offer a higher price, they will readily dispose of them and pocket the difference in price. The only hope of peace that now remains is the bankruptcy of Russia. Mr Sai,a says their national finances are hopelessly bankrupt, and the nation will not venture on hostilities unless they believe there j English statesmen in power who will allow themselves to be bullied. The vigor displayed by the present Government has not as yet had the desired effect, and peace seems no nearer now than it did on the 16th of March.