The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1885.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3264, 13 March 1885, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 1885.

Herat, so often the subject of diplomatic negotiations, and almost as frequently the scene of actual combat, is once more attracting world-wide attention. Centuries ago, hordes of savage Tartars -waged almost incessant warfare m the city and its neighborhood ; and from the earliest times it has been regarded as a military position of the utmost value. In modern days its importance from this point of view has very much increased rather than diminished. More especially has it regarded as the outpost to be maintained at all hazards against Russian encroachment m the direction of India. Hence, the numerous treaties of which it has been the subject, and m which England has been concerned, and hence the lively apprehension with which the latest Russian movements have been regarded. The Muscovite schemes can possibly have but one object. No one has ever been insane enough to imagine that the sole end m view of the massing of troops, the tricky evasions, and the insolent bearing of Russia bas been simply to bring about the drawing of a frontier line so as to include a few more miles of barren hills or dreary desert than England was originally prepared to concede. The simple object aimed at has been tlie acquisition of the rich and fertile district of Herat, the fortified city, so aptly styled the key of India, and last, but not least, having secured this position of advantage, the making of a direct attack on India itself. If all these objects were not self-evident,- — if further confirmation were needed, we have it m the fact that Russian Generals are permitted, unchecked by the Government, to indulge m blatant braggartism m the public newspapers about "striking at the enemy at his very heart, which m- the case of England means India." We have even confided to us the interesting details of a plot to promote an antiEnglish rising among the native population of Hindostan, with a view of aiding the nefarious designs of Russia. The English Government have, therefore, been forewarned m this case, and it is tp bo hoped also that they are forearmed. • . In regard to the alliance of Turkey, some people talk as if this were a very unexpected offer on the part of that Power, prompted by pure generosity towards England. As a master of fact, the very existence of Turkey depends on the success of Great Britain m any contest with Russia. The latter Power is aiming at India only as a means of coercing England into making terms with the Czar, by which the latter should gain possession of the Bosphorus. India and its treasures stimulate the imaginations of Russian soldiers with bright prospects of sack and pillage, but the country itself would be worse than a white elephant to Russia, and we do not believe her statesmen covet its permanent possession. To be established in' a position of great military, strength on its borders, from which an attack, with the prospect of loot, could be made at any time, is far more m accordance with -their ideas. In regard to the value of the Turkish alliance this, undoubtedly, is very great. "We do not attach the chief importance to the troops that the Porte maybe able to send into the field. The Turkish army has for a long time been m an exceedingly unsatisf actory state. Perhaps there are 150,000 men under arms at the present time, and these are capable of being supplemented by Redifs or reserves, and iiTegular troops. The army, however, is the worst officered m Europe, although a commission of German military men recently endeavored to amend matters, and submitted to the Sultan a scheme of reform which has been partially acted upon. What is of more value is the fact that the Turkish alliance will give England the command of the Black Sea with her navy, while the Sultan's influence among the Mahomedan tribes of India should also be of considerable importance m counteracting any Russian machinations m that direction. Thus far England has shown no disposition to be intimidated by Russia's vulgar blustering, and much as we must all deplore the necessity of war, most candid men will recognise that on the present occasion this would be the less of the two evils which present themselves. The time has come when England must either maintain her old reputation, or sink back humiliated into the position of a second or thirdrate Power. There is no middle course. The humiliation would be immediate if the Government were to yield one inch to the impudent presumption of Russia, The latter would gain an immense advantage for the prosecution of her designs, which would assuredly be persisted m. The day of reckoning with the Northern Power would still have to come, whilst m the meantime the delay would .have strengthened Russia, and immensely weakened our own country. The British lion, after long forbearance,

has at length bad to show his teeth, and m the event of actual conflict, no Englishman can doubt that the native courage, added to a sense of having to champion the cause of right and justice against dishonesty, treachery and greed, will again win the day. ♦ The anxiety felt m Australia regarding the unprotected condition of the port of Albany, Western Australia, is natural and only too well-founded. As Sir William Jervois has pointed out, all ships approaching Australia by the Cape or Red Sea routes, must pass comparatively near to King George's Sound. " If, therefore," says His Excellency, " this harbor were held by an enemy, his war-ships acting therefrom might cat off all our steamers and merchant vessels. Op the other hand, if secured to us, our men-of-war cruisers could use that port as a base for the defence of our commercial maiine." The question is one, therefore, which concerns not merely Western Australia, but the whole of the continent. Western Australia is a Crown colony, of very limited means, and could not itself provide anything like sufficient defence for the port. If it is undertaken at all, it will have to be done by the Imperial Government, aided, perhaps, by the Australian colonies jointly. Whatever may be the result of the present crisis, the work is one which it will be impossible long to delay.

Personal. — Captain Hume, Inspector of Prisons for this colony, was a passenger by the up-Express yesterday. Tiiat well-known and Popular Front Bar of the Ship Hotel is now Selling Marshall and Copeland's Ales at 3d per Glass and 9d per Quart. — [Advt.] Oamaru Races. — We publish m our advertising columns this morning the train arrangements for the Oamaru autumn raeo meeting, which takes place on tho 17th and 18th inst. Nat Aii Brigade. — Tenders for the supply of uniforms for the Timatu Naval Artillery close at five o'clock this evening. Intending tenderers can get full particulars on applying at the Harbor Master's office. Marriage ov Mh Gladstone's Son. — Tho " young Mr Gladstone." whose wedding was referrod to m tho San Francisco summary, is the Rev. Stephen Gladstone, rector of Hawarden, who married Miss Annie Wilson at Liverpool, on Jan. 29th. Oaitahu Regatta.— We publish this morning m full the progrnmmo for the Oamaru regatta, which is to bo held m the harbor on Monday, May 25th. The principal race is for sailing boats not exceeding 10 tons, while the next m value is for senior four-oar inrigged boats. Thk Railway ExotrnsioNS to ChbistCHURCn. — Owing to an unfortunate accident which happened to the second train from Clirislchurch last evening, and which caused tho last train, by which our special reporter returned, to be three hours late, we have to hold over our report of the excursion till next issue. Pleasant Point Racks. —In another column will be found the full programme for tho race meeting which takos place next Tuesday. Judging by the excellent arrangements made by the Club for the convenience of visitors, and the attractive programme offered, the meeting should be a decided success. Resident Magistrates' Court, Timabtj. — At th is Court yesterday, beforo J. H. Sutter arid E. McGlashan, Esqs., J.P's., a man named Thomas Keating, charged with being drunk m Cain's Terrace the previous day, was fined 10s, m default five days' hard labor. For having an unregistered dog m his possession Charles Tapp was fined 10s and costs. Habbob Boabd. — The adjourned annual meeting of the Timaru Harbor Board will bo held at their offices, Maclean and Stewart's Buildings, at 11 a.m. to-day. Business — The election of Chairman ; business relating to tho Engineer j to receive tenders for the supply of stores, and any other general business. Football ANNUAL.— We have to acknowledge receipt of "The Now Zealand Rugby Football Annual for 1885," edited by Mr 8. E. Sleigh, Vice-Proddent of the Dunedin Football Club, and so well-known as having organisod the recent tour of New Zealand footballers m New South Wales. There is a photograph of " the ever victorious team " as a frontispiece, and the book contains much information of interest to footballers. The Editor, we observe, strongly urges that an uniform system of scoring by points should be adopted. • . . Cbicket. — A scratch match was played on the ground of the Timaru Cricket Club yesterday between sides chosen by Messrs Hughes and Rothwcll. Mr Hughes' side won by 10 runs on the first innings, the scores of tho respective sides boing 94 and 84. Tho chief scorers on tho winning side were C. A. Jefferson 24 and F. W. Jones 44, not out. For Mr Rothwoll's side King 11, Haggett- 14, Norrie 27, not out, were the highest scorers. The bowling on both sides was good, but was uot backed up by the field. A Sensational "Bolt." — Somo excitement was caused m the Main North Road yesterday morniug by tho spectacle of a horse and buggy careering at headlong speed down the hill,, from the direction of the Waiiti road. The terrified animal made at full speed for King's stables, and m endeavoring to enter what were evidently familiar quarters, it came down with a terrific crash on to the footpath, and was hurled against the wall.. People, m the neighborhood rushed. to the spot, expecting to find the horse killed, and the buggy smashed to pieces. Strange to say, on an examination being made, it was found that both had escaped almost uninjured. Considerable anxiety was then manifested as to what had become of the two occupants of the buggy, who had taken it out earlier m the morning, but were now nowhere to be Been. It was subsequently ascertained that the horse became startled on the hill near Mr Belfield's estate, and the two Jehus took an early opportunity of slipping out of the trap, which they left to its fate. Some corporation laborers at work by the road-side tried to stop the runaway, but without success. Fortunately the streets were almost deserted at the time, owing to- so many people having patronised the Christchurch excursion, or a serious accident might have ocourred. Sore Throat quiokly yields to " Baxter's Lung Preserver." Truth and Sobebness. — What is the best family medicine m the world to regulate the bowels, pnrify the blood, 1 remove costiveness and biliousness, aid digestion, and stimulate the whole system ? Truth and sobonioss compel us to answer, Hop Bitterr, boing pure, perfeot and harmloss. See. — TAdvt:l SYNOPSIS OFINEW AOTERTIBEMKNTB. Maclean and Stewart— Hell horses, harness, etc,, tomorrow. R. Turnbull and Son— Hold a sale of furniture and sundries to-morrow. N.Z. Railways— Publish train arrangements for Oamaru Races. Pleasant Point Jockey Club— Publish programme for their race meeting on Tuesday. Davies and Murphy— Aro opening out an assortment of new season's millinery. Hon. Sec, Oamaru Regatta— Publishes programmefor regatta on 26th May.