RUSSIA AND EUROPE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1125, 7 May 1880, Page 3

RUSSIA AND EUROPE.

The Saturday Review considers tiiat Dhe warlike designs in Europe which have lately been attributed to Russia are improbable to a degree at which, they almost become incredible. A Russian General could scarcely hope to win a skirmish, or a combat against the armies which Would be encountered beyond the frontier. It is certain that at the end of the war the aggressor would not retain possession of a German or Austrian village ; and p»*o» bably Russia might emerge from the Struggle with the lo3s of the whole or part Poland. The German Emperor publicly stated only a few days ago his confidence in the preservation of peace, arid, although allowance must be made for his devoted attachment to the Imperial family of Russia, there is no reason to doubt his authoritative assertion. Geamans who feel or profess alarm as to Russian designs are compelled to justify their fears by imagining the negotiation of an offensive alliance between Russia and France. It is possible that such a combination may be formed at some future time, and Prince Bismarck has in his peculiar fashion already intimated to the new French Cabinet his intention of taking vigorous measures against the danger when it arises. But for the present no arrangement of the kind is to be apprehended. The rumours of the intended concentration of an enormous army in the neighbourhood of Afghanistan are probably spread, for the purpose of alarming the English Government, and perhaps of influencing the general elections.