RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 108, 11 April 1885, Page 3

RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

One of our contemporaries says : — Being acquainted with the Russian method of procedure, and seeing what is now talcing place between England and Russia, it is not quite pleasing to recall the fact that last year a Russian mining engineer made an ostensibly professional tour of inspection among the mining districts of Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Most likely this gentlemen, while m New Zealand, at any rate, travelled over our railways on a free pass politely presented to hitn by our benevolent Government ; and it is not at all improbable that his tour of the colonies may have been made solely for the purpose of obtaining for his Government information concerning our wealth, resources, and general condition not otherwise obtainable by them. We know for a fact that M. Schosfcak took more than a cursory glance at our institutions and social position as he passed through the colony, statiug that it was the custom of Russian officials to note carefully what they saw. We may rest assured that long ere this the Government of the Czar knows the position of every important town m this and the sister colonies.

(SPECIAL TO UNITED PRESS ASSSOCIATION.) (BLEOTEIO TELEGRAPH. — CUT UIUUT) Londov, April 8. The several colonies have sent Home heavy orders for torpedoes, guns, and war material for defence purposes.

(keuter's telegrams.") London, April 10. A- later despatch has been received by Government from Sir Peter Lumsden m which lie qualifies the statement that the Russian attack on the Afghan troops was entirely unprovoked, and states that when the Russian force menaced Afghan outposts at Penjdeh, the Afghans had crossed the river Khuskli and took up a stronger position.