RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 100, 31 March 1885, Page 3

RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

MR SALA ON THE RUSSIANS. To a Press interviewer m Sydney M Sala, when asked to give his views abou Russian designs, said : — " No, I canno tell you nay views about Russian policy —"Why not?" he was asked.--" Be cause," he replied, " m my first lecture to bo delivered m Melbourne I am goinj to deal fnlly with that matter. I knov Russia intimately. I visited it twenty five years ago, when I stopped there si: .months, and I have been there five time: since then. Every opportunity has thui been afforded mo of studying the charac teristics of the Russian nation, and j have formed the worst opinion of lti abominable Government, and of thi depth and turpitude of its designs. ] hope, without any undue exaggeration to be able to warn not only Englishmen but Australians, against Russia, anc against the evil policy of its rulers. I'—1 '— " Do you think she will go to war witl England?" 1 asked, "No," said Mi Sala, " you have only to squeeze . th( bear's paws, and he will withdraw. Sht has no navy, and can't fight at sea."— "What about her cruisers?" I asked " I think," he replied, " they are all bogus, and her war vessels are siniplj great unmanageable floating batteries. She may make an un wieldly attempt tc fight on land, but confront her with c British army and she will withdraw, Why, the nation is thoroughly bankrupt, and the people do not know the extent pi their own indebtedness. A third ofhei paper currency has been forged by the Nihilists. Tons of these forged notes arc transported by them into her borders every month, and the Government dare not make any outcry lipon the snbject, for fear of revealing the utterly rotten condition of affairs m the - country, Russia means aggression simply as long as she is not molested m her onward march.; but let British officials take n determined stand, as Lurnsdbn haadono and then you will see her humbly retire, At the same time, however, you musl watch her. She is treachorous and un. scrupulous to a degree, and is not to be depended upon for|an hour, for a minute, or for a second. Her navy cannot bo a formidable factor m any war except tc do a little damage m the (Black Sea."— " Do you not think that Russian policj was very clearly outlined by Colonel Burnaby m his book "A Ride to Khiva?" — " Yes," answered Mr Sala, " strikingly so.' Colonel Burnaby exposed their intrigues to the light of the world." (special to united pbess asssociation.) (elbctbio telegraph. — copyright) London, March 25. In consequence of war being considered imminent, the officers who have been absent on furlough are now hastening their return to India. ' il <- : . Russia is bidding , for an alliance with Turkey* " .;•'". . • March 28. General Stewart, Commander-in-Chiei m India, will at once take the field with 50,000 . troops. General Hardinge and Lieut-General Sleigh Roberts will command the divisions, and H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught the reserves, who number 100,000. The English Government have arranged for thirty transports which are now being prepared, for carrying reinforcements to India. Recently the Russians have attempted to purchase several swift cruisers m England, but they have been frustrated. The English Government are arming the steamers Arizona, America, Oregon, and Alaska, which will be used m the event of hostilities breaking out with Russia. Several other vessels are also to be armed, so as to be ( ready m case of emergency. ■•..-..■ " v (BEUTEttS' ■ TELEGRAMS. )■"■■ ■■-■■■■>■ March 29. In view of the present emergency m foreign affairs, the Government are chartering vessels belonging to the principal steamship companies, to act as armed cruisers if occasion should require. Sydney, This Day. Measures forstrengthening thedefenees of the colony are occupying the attention of the Government, and active military preparations are on foot for securing positions at the Sydney Heads, Botany, and New Castle. Melbourne, March 30. Queenscliffe fort has been .manned by a detachmont of permanent artillery. Other preparations are being rapidly proceeded with. Torpedoes are being submerged m various positions m the bay. Pilots' certificates of the captains of coasting vessels are suspended for a time and additional pilots have been appointed m consequence, Thisl)ay. It has. transpired that the Government recently received an unofficial warning from Singapore to the effect that several Russian, cruisers had left there and proceeded m a northerly direction, and were again warned on Friday that the Russian ironclad. General Admiral, 16 guns, 4600 tons, was at the Cape. In consequence of the news, Mr Service, communicated with the premiers of the various colonies m cypher, which has given rise to unusually activity m matters of defence. Adelaide, This Day. ( ' The Government communicated with the Australian squadron, regarding measures for the protection of the Port Darwin Cable.