The Manawatu Standard. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1885. THE WAR CLOUD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 118, 23 April 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1885. THE WAR CLOUD.

Later news published m this issue is indicative of the omnious approach of the war cloud. There can be very little doubt that General Komaroff's attack on the Afghan army at Penrljeh was part of a premeditated sohetne. That it was unprovoked now apoears palpable and self-evident. An excuse was sought to be made that the Afghans had taken up a menacing position. This, m the light of later intelligence, seems m the last degree improbable. The aim of the Russian General seems to have been to invent or precipitate a casus belli, of some kind or Other. Eussia is evidently determined to involve Great Britain m war on some pretext, and the fact may just as well be recognized now as hereafter that, Russia means to fight,and that parleying is simply had re source to with a view to gain time m order to be better prepared to strike an effective blow when war is formally declared. The British Cabinet seems to be slowly awakening to the gravity of the position, and, while most apparently anxious to msiiniain peace, even at some sacrifice of prestige, is making preparations for the great conflict which Britain how feels cannot long be averted. A.uy moment the news mny be expected that war has been proclaimed *md that the strife of nations bus commenced m real earnest. That a terrible struggle will ensue, none can doubt, l»nt it is idle to conjecture at the present stage how the various European powers vill ultimately stand affected, or to what extern t the dependencies of Great Britain comprising AHsbralasia will find themselves under the necessity of depending on themselves for protection. It is almost certain that other nations will be embroiled before long, and a general European war is not improbable. Meantime, the position is one which gives cause for extreme anxiety, as no one ban predict with certainty wbat momentous issue may be brought about through the existing complication of international affairs, which are m a most critical state of general un*ettiedness and common suspense. That the world is on the eve of a vast conflict, seems to be the universal opinion. Britain will come through the ordeal, as of yore, victorious ; but the sacrifice of human lives, and the horrors inseparable from war will darken a p:»«je m history and leave many bereaved and mourning ones throughout the world.