The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 1886.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5092, 13 May 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY MAY 13, 1886.

According to late telegrams, matters in Asia, wbiefe threatened to cause a serious breach in the not over«warm relations for some time existing between the English and Russian powers, have been patched up, and —for a brief period only, we fearopen hostility has been averted. This consummation is perhaps satisfactory, but there is very little doubt indeed that the peace decided upon is but of a temporary character. Much patience has, as far es our telegraphic news has told us, been shown by Great Britain's rulers, but it certainly appears that greater patience is being displayed by Russia in following her determined advance towards India. Step by step the march on that coveted territory is, being made, and another advantage, it would appear, has also been secured. It may be said, and perhaps with perfect truth, that a sacrifice of British dignity has been made in bringing about the pacific solution of one of the most difficult questions of modern tines, but although men of peace may

applaud the action of the English administration, the result must not be accepted as an unmixed blessing. What was looked upon as an imminent danger haa been averted, it is true, and war with all its attendant horrors has been avoided. Sentiment seems tb have conquered im> pulse, as it should—as a rule—do. But, at what sacrifice ? Of course, we are not fully in possession of tha particulars attendant on the settlement arrived at,

but if—as there can be,, little doubt

should be the case—full reliability is placed in the information flashed across the cable to us, no inconsiderable concession has been given to an aggressive power in the matter ot granting it—unreasonably, we think—an extension of its very wide territory. It would gecm that Panj-Deh has become a part and parcel of Russia, and that the extreme liberality of the Sclavonic potentate (through his ambassadors) has allowed Afghanistan to retain the balance of ber territory which was at one time threatened by the invader's troops. While being profoundly grateful that peace has resumed its sway o'er the land, we can hardly congratulate those who have brought it about, without having more reassuring intelligence than that now to hand. If the report that Britian has been permitted by the Afghanistan Ameer to occupy and fortify Herat be confirmed, and the concession granted to Russia be part of the price of such a bargain, well and good; but an idea, perhaps a little indistinct, arises in "the minds of many, that a certain amount of honorable dignity has been bartered away under a " peace at any price" principle. We in common with every Britisher earnestly hope that the terms concluded have not been derogatory to that prestige which has always attached itself to our Nation's name, and should it have suffered, we fear that woe will betide those who have been neglectful of its preservation.