ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XX, Issue 57, 9 March 1886, Page 4

ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

A remarkable article in fche Russian Novoye Vtemya (says the London correspondent of the Melbourne Argils') has attracted much attention throughout bhe European capitals during bbc week. The article purports to give us the views of " an illustrious British statesman," who was recently in Scotland, on the Anglo-Russian relations and their development. Of conrse Mr Gladstone is in question, but ib would be doing him something less than justice to believe that he has opened bis heart so completely to the unknown correspondent of a Russian newspaper. The Continent believes it, as ib believes anything thafc appears in the newspapers, and hence the annoyance which has been created both at Berlin and Vienna — and especially at Vienna. According to the article of the Russian journal, Mr Gladstone, speaking to its correspondent, declared for an Anglo-Russian alliance. These two Powers, he said, were the only colonising Powers, and there was scope for each of them without either crossing the path of the other. He reproached the Russian Government with their want of consideration for the late British Ministry in Afghanistan, and insidiously suggested that they were a cat's paw for Prince Bismaroh, who had successfully removed them for the natural field of developement in the Balkans. The " illustrious statesmen " went so far as to say that the Russian Government should change the sphere of their activity from Central Asia to the Danube, and it would : seem that he was quite prepared to allow Russia to bring all the Balkan nations under her feet. Turkey would be the natural prey of Russia in this connection, and, though it is nofc so stated, it would appear thafc there would be no objection on the part of Mr Gladstone to the Czar occupying Constantinople. And this from the patron of the Balkan nationalities— of Bulgaria and Greece ! It is toe much to believe, otherwise one must join in the chorus of condemnation which haß gone up concerning it.