The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Ressurexi. MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1885.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5058, 30 March 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Ressurexi. MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1885.

The position of affairs in Asia atill thickens, and at almost any,, moment the clouds which hang over the situation may be expected to burst. In our telegraphic columns intelligence, will bo found to the effect that the Russians have resolved to mass no less than fifty thousand troops at a fortified town on the western shore of the Caspian Sea. This is decidedly ominous, and would, whon taken with other recent occurrences, tend to a belief ,that <he Great Bear means to fight, while England's action, as telegraphed, in the direction of augmenting her forces by calling, out the militia and her reserves, cannot bear any other construction but that she means to maintain the position she has taken up. Taken altogether the present phase of affairs is such as to render uneasy those desirous of peace. A very brief and superficial survey of the condition of things will at once convince most people that the policy adopted by Russia has been cne of waiting to take the bold step she is apparently determined to follow up, until the favorable moment of England's hands being heavily engaged elsewhere seemed to render the task apparently easy. So favorable an opportunity—to all appearances—was one that she could ill afford to miss ; yet it is not that the wish is father to the thought alone 'that cause a most Britishers to express themselves as satisfied that should the misfortune of a war arise, the British Empire will, as of yore, maintain intact her prestige amongst nations ; unfortunate though it be that a heavy loss of men and money will assuredly be sustained. To anti-bellicose people, the slight consolation still remains that Russia may act as she has previously done, namely, withdraw her troops and cease to show an aggressive front if she finds anything like thorough preparedness for conflict in the British camp. It is not at all out of keeping with her past diplomatic behaviour that delay should be made in giving an. answer to England's ultimatum, regarding the settlement of the Afghanistanfrontier question. Doubtless time is being gained, and this may appear, to the jaundiced vision of those looking at one side of the question alone, of some advantage, to Eussia, but the British Lion is not asleep. Should the intelligence received by us to-day, to the effect that Russian' cruisers have appeared at Singapore and the Cape, be true, there is little doubt that their actions have been oarefully noted, and that England's warships are following steadily in their wake,' or occupying points of vantage to prevent damage being done by them. The fulfilment of the dream of Russian Emperors for years — the possession of India—has been attempted in every conceivable way during the past half century. Secret agency among the native princes and their subt jects, intrigue of every possible character, attempts to cause disaffection on the part of the natives throughout the land, have all been used, but in vain, and even now intelligence is flashed to us that in addition to the threatened recourse to arms, Russian agents are quietly at work in India intriguing at the present time. Doubtless Russia is making most lavish promises to those countries lying between her own territory and India, pointing out the advantages that might arise were the last named country under Russian control; how the transport of all commerce through their dominions would inaugurate an era of progress, and how they have not those privileges while they remain under Eng* lish Government, which very liberal Russia would certainly accord them, were they to assist her in attaining her object. Self-government might even be included ia the dazzling programme placed before the native princes and other leaders, should Russian designs be carried out. Such promises would seem hardly likely to beguile those before whom they might, be dangled, into becoming allies of the Muscovite, but if put by talented hands before the natives, it is possible they might induce a species of inactivity on their part in case of trouble arising. It is impossible to properly deal with this very important subject within the limited space at our-command, therefore wo will embrace a further opportunity of reverting to it. Meanwhile we await, with anxiety the issue of present Goriiplications. ' .