The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1885. THE RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 116, 22 April 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 1885. THE RUSSIAN CRISIS.

Our. cable intelligence published elsewhere is of a disquieting nature. We greatly fear more yet remain* un•divuTged. Hopes were generally entertained until yesterday that the crisis was past, and that the next news would be of peace.lt does not now look like a realization of those antici pations, Indeed, : the aspect of the matter is gloomy enough. A despatch hax been received from Sir Peter Ltjmsden, the British Commissioner ab Herat. This communi* cation is not a reply to the Government's inquiry as to the circumstances of the attack on the Afghau forces by Komaroff's army. The nature of the communication has not been revealed. This reservation naturally had induced a renewal of the uneasy impression on the public mind that, to sonic extent was being- allayed by the pacific indications that generally made themselves apparent. There is too much reason to doubt that war is imminent and cannot now; be averted- ..The.. St. Petersburg cablegram has also its special significance. It is to the effect that the Russ.an fleet is rendezvousing at Cronstadt and that the vessels are actively preparing for sea. Then, we , have the news of the chartering of fast steam-' ers as armed cruisers for the Australian; waters'. The outlook, generally speaking,'. it will be admitted is sui' ficiently ominous to cause serious apprehension tliao peace i* not likely to prevail for long;, and that hourly may come the intelligence that ;war has been actually proclaimed. Our colonial defences are still m-a backward state, but there is reason for congratulation that they are being pushed oh with vigor, aud that the Government are m earnest. As a Wellington paper remarks : — '* By all means let the present preparations continue, but New Zealand colonists should make up their minds at once to the necessity of something much more elaborate than is now m contemplation. .They should cheerfully consent to considerable sacrifices as the price of safety which cannot be^ hadonany otherterms.lt' it be jndiciou to borrow money for the construction of railways and other public works •it would be equally, judicious to provide for defence m the same manner. It cannot be denied that security is worth paying for, and the only question with regard to the means is whether they shall be raised by taxation as the expenditure is required froni.year to year, or whether a complete scheme shall be adopted and its entire cost estimated and defrayed out of a special loan." Previous loans "have been expended on the construction of works, which, , without proper system of defence, maritime and otherwise, would only leave the Colony more open to attack, and more attractive to a hostile power because of the accessibility of our ; centres, and the means of intercommunication now afforded. Our breakwaters, harbour works, and railways, would all be serviceable to the enemy, and must be protected! On the whole the present position and aspect of affairs is one of real apprehension and, deep suspense. We can scarcely hope for the passing away of the war cloud m view < f present com plications, and further intelligence will be awaited with intense anxiety.