AGGRESSIVE RUSSIA.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 160, 28 August 1886, Page 3

AGGRESSIVE RUSSIA.

Serious Trouble Threatened in the Orient. Private despatches tend to confirm tne threatened occupation by the Russians of Port Lazeroff. Russia has long had a coaling station there, for whioh she paid yearly a bounty to the Corean Government. Russia and China recently made mutual concessions regarding the Mancbooria l frontier, and it is believed China will quietly acquiesce in Russia occupying of Port Lazeroff in revenge for England's refusal to[acknowledgeChina's suzerainty over Burmah., Jn the event of war between Russia and England, Port Lazeroff places Russia in a more advantageous position for both offensive and detensive operations than during the recent Rubso- Afghan crisis, The occupation of Port Hamilton by England at that time was a serious blow to Russia's operations. In military circles the matter is regareed as of Berious import. The '•Standard" of July 21st has an , alarmist article on the Afghan question. Russia is hotly denounoed in connection with the Boundary Commission and recent events in Central Asia. Russia is plainly warned that the policy of her Majesty's Government will be very different to that of Gladstone's Ministry *rith respect to the Russian project of aggrandizement in the far East.' The article, bearing as it does indications of having been inspired from high sources, has attracted much attention in diplomatic circles. Thin early reminder of the threatening situation of foreign politics and of the advent of the Tories to power has had a marked effect in modify* ing the views of Liberal Unionists previously favouring a Tory alliance. A London despatch from Sophia states that the collection of war stores and arms and the drilling of troops are going on with j renewed activity. Military preparations are also progressing on the Servian line of the frontier. The situation in both countries indicates uncertainty as to the duration of peace. Reports from Montenegrin sources show that the Turkish forces in Albania are receiving reinforcements, the intention apparently being to bring the garrison up to a war footing. Russia is getting bolder, and now demands the concession of Erzeroum, in Armenia, the possession of which would give her the key to the whole country south. The necessity of supporting Turkey against further Russian encroachments is universally assured. Sobastopol and other Black Sea ports are now protected by electric apparatus placed in the sea to destroy hostile torpedo boats The construction of the apparatus, which is the work of American engineers, has been kept secret.