The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1888.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 114, 15 May 1888, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

TUESDAY, MAY 15, 1888.

JFor the cause that lacks a33istanoc, For the -wrong that needs resistance, Tor the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

Eussia's renewal of interference in Afghanistan, as reported by cable, is symptomatic of the proximity of an outbreak of war in the east of Europe, for the Muscovite is keen to perceive that the threat of an attack on India is the best means of diverting England's attention from' European complications. A revolt of the Afghan tribe stationed between Penjdeh and Herat is the very thing which Kussian intrigue would be likely to instigate, and, though the rising has bean (jueiled fey the Ame6r, it is disquieting to

learn that General Alikhanoff has gone to the assistance of the rebels. Ominous of coming trouble, too, is the report published a few days ago that the French Eastern fleet had gone to sea under sealed orders ; and the « official " explanation, that they had simply gone out to perform naval manoeuvres, does not dispose _of the uneasy feeling, since it is not usual to have " sealed orders ' in such cases. . Weeks ago Lord Salisbury confessed himself apprehensive that Russia would make a sudden advance in Constantinople, and all that has happened since then only serves to confirm the suspicion that a coup is intended. The great additions made to the Eussian Pacific Squadron, and the possibility of tho French fleet co - operating with them in those seas, almost justifies the fear that the English fleet on the China station will bo taken at a disadvantage, or that a naval descent on India or Australasia is contemplated by Russia when war is declared. Some time ago, as we showed, the English fleet in tho China seas was more than a match for a Eusso-French combination ; but tho additions made to the Eussian fleet sinco then may quite alter tho position.