RUSSIA’S FRIENDSHIP.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 362, 12 March 1902, Page 1

RUSSIA’S FRIENDSHIP.

PACIFIC ASSURANCES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, March 10. M. de Whitto has assured Mr Horner, a member of the House of Commons, that Russia desired a good understanding with England, and if asked would probably 7 counter-sign the Anglo Japanese treaty. Russia had recently stopped building a railway 000 miles short of the Indian frontier in order to avoid creating the ideu that she A\as menacing India. (Special Correspondent.) London, January 25. It would seem that we are never to be very long without a “ Russian (scare,” and that we have possibly been unduly previous in our self-gratulation on the (iiiiescence of affairs in and about Afghanistan. At any rate a new rumor has suddenly arisen that trouble may arise in Afghanistan so soon as the coming spring. One London daily paper says “In the Ptmjauh the belief is widespread that Russian troops will be massing all through the ‘ black winter ’ on the northern frontiers of Afghanistan, arid that when the snow on the passes begins to melt this army may possibly make a dash into Afghanistan. On the British side of the border certain defensive steps are, we are informed, beiiig taken to meet any eventualities that may occur. The Punjaub army manoeuvres are timed to take place in February, a most unusual season of the year. They are to be what is called 1 a demonstration in force,’ with everything on a war footing. Already, says our informant, a good many regiments arc being quietly massed on the north-west frontier, ostensibly to fight against the Mahsud Warizis, but in reality to he ready for more serious complications. Many new hospitals arc being built along the base ; the stores and arsenals are filling quietly hut steadily. All of which points in only one direction. There seems, in fact, little doubt that there is a Russian scare at present in progress in high quarters in India. Many such scares have died away before now without coming to anything. But trouble lias always been expected to follow the death of the Ameer Abdurrahaman Khan. As the late Ameer died just before the beginning of winter a Russian move at the moment was rendered impossible. But it is quite on the cards that the long-ex-pected trouble was only delayed and not averted.