Great. Exceitement in Loudon.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 74, 6 April 1885, Page 3

Great. Exceitement in Loudon.

ilusßia's BoUlooso Attitude,

Danger of a CollltfQu with Afgh»n«,

New York, Matt* &— A cablo special to theJ'Sun" "Ti'oin London of the 7th, says : In ajptte of tho ugly look of things, fow seriously oxpect a war with Russia In tho meantime, howover, tho Marquis of Hartington, Secretary of Sl&te for Wdr, tho Dukfl of (Jumbrldfge, com_nrtnt_'o_ inchief of thift toms, aVitl othor high OlSteiult), l\avo ftet[uoht interviews at tho \VAr Office with tho Agontfl-General of the British colonies. Tho first conference was on the 3rd inst. Tho meetings since have been concerned with the question of the colonial defoncos and assistance in tho event of war with Russia. As a result of tho conference tho squadrons of tho Australian and North Pacific stations nre to be re-enforced., . ' th, Inolvkb&is of tlio Russian Embassy in London continue to scout the idea that there is any probability of a declaration of war betwoen England and Russia. Despite the protestations of the Russian Embassy that there is no danger of nn open rupture between Russia and England, some Englishmen of vory conservative tendencies maintain that tlio Afghan situation is roully complicated and sorious, Do Glors, tho Russian Foreign Minister, has beon prompt and explicit In the statement of tho Russian attitude. Tho dispatches ho sout to the British Eoniign Otlico ycetorday, whilo thoy affirm that Instructions havo been sent Rfc England's request to tho Hussion Commondots to avoid all acta likoly to provoke tho Afghan into hostilities, plainly decline to accede to England's othor request, that tho Russian troops bo withdrawn from thoir prosont advanced posts. Those posts are almost within rillo - shot of tho advanced posts maintained by tho Afghtlns. Tho latterorcnotoriouslyaggressive. Thoy are said to havo become actually impudent undor tho encouragement given them by Etiglahtt's tocont advice te hold theit gtouhd. It Would bo the oasitsst thtllg In the world for Russian intrigue to secure an offensive act on tho part of tho Afghntts as would justify o 1 battle of dbh)ut_o." Such an engagement wtluld.initiate opon warfare in Afghanistan A St. Poterfburg dispatch to tho "Times" says :—"The Russian Govern mont has sont an official offer to England to withdraw the Russian frontier from the hills bordoring On Herat, but states that it will not retire Its troops from the positions occupied at Hcrforud or -.enjdeh, which, Russia claims, arc essential to hor effectual hold on tho Turcomans. An activo scattering of troops concentrated in Central Asia ia taking place. It is roporrod that troops are moving from tho Caucasus. The " Timos," in a loador, urgos England to occupy ond fortify Horat at onco, and check the Russian advance towards the interior of Afghanistan at any cost. It says if Russia wishes to fight, England is not only ready, but willing, and Russia has only to say the word. Tho Russian batteries of horso artillery in Turkestan and along tho Afghan frontier have beon increased to bix guns each.