GREAT BRITAIN AND THE EAST.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 9302, 5 September 1898, Page 3

GREAT BRITAIN AND THE EAST.

Blaok and Whifco makoa tho following statement : Wo hoar on authority whioh commanda respect that tho various Government officers concerned are oxorting fchoir onergieo in order to plaoo both tho avtny and navy in a abate of preparation for active service. It Is whispered that it Is more likely than not that there will bo war in tho Far Easb daring tho coming autumn, tho tumor being baood on the faofc that it is believed tho Government is about to cry "Hands off" to Russia, and to take atepB to compel that country, if need bo, to refrain from farther aggression in China, There can bo no question, if this rumor proves oorreob that tho aotion suggested will moot with universal approval throughout tho country. If this rumor be true, it may account for the extraordinary oonduot of tho Ministers all leaving London at tho present juncture, with tho exception of Mr Balfoar. Everything Is In train ; whon tho proper time comes Lord Salisbury will cry " Stop, enough 1" Only his past oaroor hardly onggests the nerve to do this, In the meantime nearly 70,000 men are exercising on Salisbury Plain, and fcho gonoral officers are learning tho arc of handling masses. When Khartoum falls, the ball may opon in the Fur East.