RUSSIA AND AFGHANISTAN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3275, 26 March 1885, Page 2

RUSSIA AND AFGHANISTAN.

(By Electric Telegraph — Copyright.) (Redter'B Agency.)

IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY MR GLADSTONE.

| Received 2.45 p.m. March 25th.T London, March 24. In the House of Commons to-day Mr Gladstone stated, m reply to a question, that Earl Granyille, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, had addressed an important communication to Russia on the 16th March, and it was expected that the character of the answer would determine whether negotiations between the two Powers would take place m London, or whether the Afghan frontier delimitation would be settled by a local Commission of Enquiry as desired by the British Government.

(Reoeived 1.15 a.m., Maroh 26th.) March 25. The greatest activity is being shown at [ all the Admiralty dockyards m; prepara- , tion for possible hostilities with Russia. 1 Caicdtta, March 25.A division of the Indian army has been ■ ordered to proceed forthwith to Peeshin, m Southern Afghanistan, and a reserve force of 40,000 men is also* being roobi- | lised. It is expected Maj.or-Gener.al the Duke of Connaught, commanding at . Meerut, will take command of tbe re- ' x serve division. (Spkciaxi to the Press Association.) [Eeoeived 1 a.m., March 26th.] ; London, March 25. It is intended by the Indian GoyernI ment to despatch 50,000 troops to Peeshin, near Kandahar, m Afghanistan. General Sir Donald M. Stewart, head of the Military Department m India, will be i placed m command. [Received 3 p.m., March 25th.] Bombay, March 25. It is announced that those officers of . the British and Indian armies who are absent on furlough at the present time will be recalled to India without delay. SIB W. JEEVOIB ON THE SITUATION. (By Telegraph.) Auckland, March 25. In an interview with a reporter yesterday the Governor, Sir W. Jervois, said the most effective way m which the colonies could assist Great Britain if she were at war would be by putting all their ports m an effective state of defence. If these ports were properly defended, they would be of great assistance ' to the Imperial navy, but the British Govern- ' ment would hesitate to send vessels to any 1 port which was not adequately defended, and J where it might be overpowered by a superior ' force. "It would appear from, the cable- • grams," added His Excellency, " that there already is considerable danger of war with " Russia owing to the attitude taken up by that ' Power. Bußsia seems to have played fast and 1 loose with us m reference to the Afghan boundary question. Russian troops have advanced to certain points, and say 'Here we are, and we are going to stop her ; you can take what course yon like.' I remember once having a conversation with a German officer of rank, who, like most of his class, was a thoughtful and capable man, and he expressed ; the opinion, without hesitation, that sooner • or later, England and Russia would come into conflict m India ; : it was only a question of time. The question now is, whether that time hag come. It seems to be one of Russia's objects to gain access to the ocean. In the r Black Sea and Baltic she is hemmed m, and . it is no doubt a great object with her to reach the ocean at the peninsula. You might state 1 (His Excellency continued) I am afraid I , shall not be able to visit Auckland and reside here for some time, as I proposed doing. I > regret it, but m the present state of affairs it wSI be necessary for me to remain at head- • quarters. Of course, if all this danger of , war blows over, I may be able to come to Auckland for a short time." . ;