The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1885. THE WAR CLOUD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 123, 29 April 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1885. THE WAR CLOUD.

Our cable news to-day is plainly indicative of the near approach of hostilities between England and Bussia. The Premier appears to have made one of his characteristic great speeches when moving the motion for the special war vote of eleven millions sterling. The request for such a large amount is significantly suggestive of the idea that is entertained of the magnitude of the operations that will be required in the impending struggle between the two great powers. Mr Gladstone distinctly implied the responsibility of the Government to support the Ameer of Afghanistan,to which effect a direct pledge had been given by Great Britain. That may be one view to take of the present position, but we take it that the actual question at issue is how to effectually check the further progress of Russia towards British India. The faot has a significance specially its own that the war vote was carried "without a division" This plainly proves that the House of Commons is fully alive to the gravity of the situation, and recognizes the imperative necessity that exists for England to place herself in a state of preparedness lor possible, and, we think, very probable .eventualities. It is said to think of such a large amount of money being devoted to the purposes of war. But the occasion is urgent, and the exigencies of the position are undeniable. Mr Gladstone further expressed himself as not despairing of a peaceful settlement of the matters at issue even yet. We do not think such a congratulatory consummation is in any degree likely to l.e attained. Matters have now progressed too far, we feai\. for either power to consent to a compromise. The further intelligence that the Prince of Wales has suddenly returned from his tour through Ireland is not in coinlormity with a possible amicable adjustment of questions in reference to which the Governments of England and Russia are now at variance. Of equal if not greater siguificance than any previous intelligence is the news that the British forces are about to be withdrawn from the Soudan. If this means anything, it indicates in the plainest and most nnmistakeable sense time Great Britain believes that all her forces will be required for the impending conflict. There is also further intelligence that ! the offer of the services of the New | South 'Wales contingent now in Soudan has been accepted by the British Government in the event of war with fUssia. All this goea to prove that anv hopes of peace must be considered as'in the last degree slender and improbable. So far as can be judged from the aspect of affairs both nations are preparing for the great struggle that each knows full well must sooner or later commence. It would seem also that Eugland is making all the overtures, and Russia is simply waiting till she has tried every alternative but makes no sign of any desire to entertain offers of compromise in a conciliatory spirit. In fact so fur as can be learnt Russia has no intention of abandoning her warlike scheme*. She is bent on seizing Herat, and parleying ouly affords hei a better opportunity to concentrate her forces and mature the organization of her armament. That the war into which she has absolutely forced Great Britain will result in her own ultimate and complete defeat and discomfiture will be the wish of every person imbued with true feelings of patriotism, a love for fair play, and a hatred of oppression and coercion in any form. That England will have \ a full measure of sympathy in the I impending conflict has been already amply demonstrated, though it is difficult to say what international complications may arise as the campaign progresses, which may involve her with powers now disposed to be either positively neutral or ready to render assistance and offer alliance if help is required, The hope and prayer of every patriot will be that whatever betides her in the fortune of war, old England will still be able to maintain her ascendancy on sea and land and still uphold her position as the sovereign power of the world.