Cromwell Argus AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell : Tuesday, March 17, 1885.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 831, 17 March 1885, Page 2

Cromwell Argus AND NORTHERN GOLDFIELDS GAZETTE. Cromwell : Tuesday, March 17, 1885.

The attitude assumed by Russia in Afghanistan is certainly not very pleasant to contemplate ; but we are altogether at issue with our metropolitan contemporaries as to the ultimate result. So far as the casus belli assumed to exist has already progressed, it can only be regarded from one point of view. Russia wants the Bosphorus, and if by an advance towards India she can frighten the British Government into allowing her to place her paw on the Turk, her primary object will have been attained. Now that the " peace-at-any-price" party is in power she thinks it possible to achieve the desired result. But the determination to accept only "peace with honor " is far too strongly impressed on the minds of the British people for them to suffer the G.O.M. and his Radical colleagues to sacrifice that honor to any potentate. The " scientific frontier " of Lord Beaconsfield so sneered at by shallow-pated critics when the necessity for it was first enunciated, is now admitted by all to be the only one which can secure the permanent safety of our Indian dominions. The error is seen somewhat late in the day it is true ; but it is seen at last, and th e prompt action of the Viceroy of India in taking possession of the most important passes leading through the HindooKoosh to Punjaub territory will command the approval and admiration of the Empire. For our own part, we feel it quite certain that Russia will abandon her present design as soon as she finds that England is neither unprepared nor dismayed. Of course England's difficulty has been Russia's opportunity. She sees that the Government have muddled the Soudanese business, that they are at cross-purposes with Germany, and that the internal affairs of the United Kingdom are unsettled. Now then, she thinks, the desired opportunity has arrived. But in this case she has reckoned without her host. Danger to the Empire unites all parties, and the consideration of Home politics will be cast to the winds in the face of imminent peril abroad. Then again it is not unlikely that if Turkey's offer to join England by making a demonstration in the field is accepted the Soudanese difficulty will be ended. The followers of the Prophet will not fight against the ally of the Sultan. Thus Russia will unwittingly have helped us in two directions —at home and abroad. If she reckons on the disaffection of our Indian allies, and the subjects of the Empire, once more she has made a mistake. Never was. the rule of England in India more popular than in the present day. Viewed from every point, therefore, Russia is not likely to give England much trouble, but it is certain that she can only be regarded as an insidious enemy, ever on the alert to do us a mischief when she can. For this troublous state of affairs we have to thank "theoldestconfidentialservantof the Crown " and his acceptance of the miserably weak foreign policy forced upon him by his colleagues. Never was there an English Ministry so profuse of promises of peace with all mankind, which yet has led the nation into so many inglorious and expensive wars. It is to be hoped that the people of Britain will rise to the occasion and relegate the causers of these troubles to the obscurity which best befits them. Meantime we have faith that even they dare not allow the honor of the national flag to be stained by Russia PF any otfeer foreign Power,