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Waipawa Mail, Volume I, Issue 15, 2 November 1878, Page 2

There is a growing feeling in the mother country that the Afghanistan affair may lead to a war with Russia. Whether it is the intention of the latter power to attack Great Britain on the Indian frontier it is difficult to say. Both the Russian Government and people, in their present temper, entertain no friendly feelings towards England. The results of the Berlin Conference have been particularly galling. But it is not a question of mere ill-will. It is one of means; and the advisers of the Czar are well aware of the dangers of a contest with England, otherwise the Treaty of San Stefano would not have been torn in shreads at the command of Lord Beaconsfield. There is little doubt that Shere Ali, the Ameer of Afghanistan, has been induced by Russia to assume a hostile attitude towards England, but Shere Ali will in all likelihood be punished without a Muscovite shot being fired on his behalf. The intention of the Government of the Czar is to please the Russian people by inducing them to believe that a blow may be struck against England at any moment. There is a deep feeling of humiliation in Russia at the barren result of the late victorious war with Turkey; and as England is looked upon as the Power which deprived Russia of the fruits of victory a war with Great Britain would be exceedingly popular with the fanatical masses. But a disastrous campaign might be to the fatal ruling dynasty ; and the entering upon a war with the mightiest nation in the world offers so many chances of absolute defeat that the Czar and his chief adviser, Prince Gortsciiakoff, would pause long before risking a conflict. Russian orators may make brave speeches and Russian envoys may intrigue to work trouble to England in the East, which is considered her most vulnerable point ; but not a blow will be struck. By the last European news to hand we notice that M. Aksokoff, a wellknown Panslavist leader, has made a violent speech at Moscow against the resolutions of the Congress. “ Has victorious Russia,” he said, “ really volunteered to play the part of the vanguished, to do penance like a criminal for the holy work she has done, and to beg pardon for her brilliant victories ? Germany and the Western Powers, ironically praising her political wisdom, gently withdraw the wreath of victory from her brow, and set up in its place a cap of bells.” The Russan ffcople, M. Aksakoff continued, will never forget what their diplomatists have done for them. They have cut Bulgaria in two after the Russian army had liberated the Bulgarians, and the Czar had decided that the whole of Bulgaria on both sides of the Balkans should form a single principality, “ Such a concession could only be justified by a terrible defeat—more terrrible than that of Sedan ; for even after that catastrophe France did not sue for peace, and defended herself for five months longer. It seems that Lord Beaconsfield had only to stamp his footto makeour diplomatists tremble.” At other times M. Aksakoff dare not use such strong language in reference to Prince Gortsciiakoff, but the feeling of irritation is too deep and widespread for the Government of the Czar to interfere. It is to allay this indignation that the attention of the Russians is directed to the East, and for this object that bad advice was given to Shere Ali, which in all probability will result in his removal from the throne of Afghanistan.