Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1885 — FUR WILL FLY. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FUR WILL FLY.

The British Lion and the Northern Bear Spoiling for a Decisive Fight Queen Victoria Calls Out the Reserves and Militiamen for Permanent Service. Birmingham’s Great Gun Factories Overwhelmed with Pressing Orders for Arms. England. [Cable dispatches from London.] PREPARING FOR THE CONFLICT. Active war preparations throughout England continue, and not since the days of the Crimea has the excitement been so great. The belief has rapidly grown within the past few days that a war with Russia is unavoidable, and the war fever is now strong upon the people. The activ.ty at the arsenals and dockyards is almost unprecedented. Large forces of men are employed both day and night filling the heavy orders already sent in by both the War and Admiralty Offices. Already the Government arsenals are taxed to their utmost, and so urgent are some of the orders that contracts have been made with

private firms. At the dockyards vessels are being fitted out for instant departure, some of them not having been placed under sailing orders for years. The Queen’s message in calling out the reserves and militia is as follows: “The present state of public affairs and the extent of the demand on Her Majesty's military forces for the protection of the interests of the empire having constituted, in the opinion of her Majesty, a case of great emergency, her Majesty has deemed it proper to provide additional means for military service. She has therefore thought it right to communicate to the House of Commons that she is about to cause the reserve forces and such proportion of the militia ns might be deemed necessary to be called out for permanent service.” The call issued by the War Office, in accordance with the Queen’s message, is for 53.000 reserves and 140,000 militia. The Queen’s message has been received by the country with great enthusiasm. The enthusiasm is especially marked at the various military stations throughout the kingdom. Everywhere active efforts are being exerted to get barracks ready for the reserves, and have arms and accoutrements at. hand to equip them. The immense stores of arms at the Tower are ready to be distributed when required. The war feeling is strong among the reserves, and many had already joined the guards before the order summoning them to service was received. In proof of the energy of the preparations, it may be pointed out that a contract for 12,000 tons of coal to be delivered in the Baltic has been made; that 100,000 uniforms have been ordered; that 5,000,000 rifle cartridges are to be sent to India within ten days, and that ten torpedo-boats are in course of construction. Such furdishing of rifles, overhauling of vessels, and fitting up of army quarters- has not been seen in England in seventy years. The arming of the nation is, however, beset by some difficulties. On no account is the military force in Ireland to be reduced. It is intended to send 25,000 of the English militia to Ireland, thus releasing 25,000 regular troops. This will be a delicate operation, for the presence of the militia in Ireland will probably be an incentive to a revolt The English policy is, if there is any sign of open rebellion in Ireland, so hurry it to a head and crush it out bodily, making a smaller garrison necessary in the end. Canada is practically denuded of regular troops, and little aid is expected from there, as disturbance, and dynamite, if not invasion, will, it is feared, keep Canadians busy at home. From Australia a goodly contingent is expected. Finally, it is believed that England and Scotland alone will furnish all the troops needed, even if it is necessary to put 250,0C0 men into the field by the beginning of next year, should the cimpaign last so long. All this, will cost heavily. The first call will be for $40,000,000 next month. ■—■ ■ • Russia. to arms! to arms! I The St. Petersburg government is said to be so eager for a conflict that peace can only be preserved by a humiliating surrender on the part of the British. The Russians are keeping their preparations very secret. Contracts have been made with ship-owners to carry troops across the Caspian Sea. The Russian railroad across Turkestan, from Kizil-Arvat to Askabad, is almost finished. The section to Merv will be at once begun.

It is reported that an additional force of 20,000 Russian troops is now hurrying from the Caucasus to the Afghan frontier, and that a collision between the Ameer’s forces and the Russians is imminent. Russia is working hard to raise money in Germany. Several great failures have occurred in Moscow, and a financial panic is feared. This complicates matters for Russia. A RACE FOR HERAT. A telegram from Nice, the Italian watering place, says: The Ctntral A ews correspondent was today accorded an interview with Capt. Abkanoff, the Russian military Governor of Men’, who is sojourning here for his health. That gentleman, replying to the correspondents request for his views in regard to the chances of war between England and Russia, stated that he had but little doubt a conflict between the countries would occur, and it would be hard to predict the result. The war, if once commenced, will undoubtedly be a long and bitter one, and its result will forever settle,or at least for a long time, all differences between Russia and England with regard to their Asiatic possessions. It is the only way the differences with regard to the Russo-Afghan frontier can be settled. “The present threatened outbreak of hostilities between both countries over these questions, ” continued Capt. Abkanoff, “has long been brewing, and matters seem to be in a fair way of reaching a climax. If war is meant neither power has a moment to lose. It will be the question of a race between the armies of

both countries for Herat, and the one who obtains possession will have much to its advantage. Russia,” concluded the Captain. “has never had a better opportunity, and her troops ought to seize Herat before the English get a chance to fortify and make it impregnable. ” CHEERFUL TALK. [London special.] A prominent official at the Russian Embassy to-night offered to bet your correspondent two to one, in any amount, that there would be no war between Russia and England. The talk at the Russian Embassy is cheerful, when visitors are present, but the gayety seems forced, and the visitor leaves with an impression that the diplomats are trying to put a good face upon a serious matter. WAR COUNCIL. A war council of Generals, including the Grand Dukes Nicholas, Vladimir, Peter, and George, has been called at St. Petersburg, to decide if in the case of war the regular cavalry could be used in Central Asia, where provender and water are scarce. India’s Share. From India come reports of still greater activity. Lord Dufferin has received the assurance of the Maharajahs of their loyalty, and the formal offer of their forces. The native Indian troops will furnish some 7 ',OOO men for a war, but their value as fighting factors must be counted at not more than half that number. The Viceroy now has 60,000 men ready to march, but, of course, all are not on or near the Afghan frontier. He estimated that in case of war he will require immediate reinforcements equivalent to twen-ty-three regiments of infantry, three regiments of cavalry, two batteries of field artillery, and eighteen batteries of horse artillery. As shadowing the future of the campaign against the Mahdi, it is significant that the War Office is almost resolved to send to India from Suakim the troops now forming the garrison there, together with the Grenadier Guards, now with Gen. Graham, provided arrang ments are affected with the Porte whereby Sunkim may be garrisoned "by 5,000 Turkish troops in lieu of the British force. The Council of India has been authorized to raise a credit of £1,500,000 on account of the Indian treasury for war purposes. Earl Dufferin, Viceroy of India, will give the Ameer of Afghanistan the grant which he demands to pay the Afghan troops and allay the discontent of tribal leaders. The Ameer promises to place 50,000 troops on the frontier and in the forts at Balkh, Penjdeh, and Herat. Preparations now being made at Rawul Pindi and Quetta indicate that nn early advance will be made via Quetta and Sidi, with the object of reaching Herat before the Russians. The authorities of Rawul Pindi presented Lord Dufferin with an address, declaring loyalty to her British Majesty the Empress of India, and expressing appreciation of the honor done Rawul Pindi in selecting it as the meeting place of the council. The address of the Rawul Pindi authorities concluded with the following statement: “This recognition of our dignity will confirm that confidence in us which has been so long established, and which is daily receiving expression from the rulers of India. ” Earl Dufferin responded to the Rawul Pindi address very happily, and ended by saying: “The offers of loyalty and service made upon this occasion are most eloquent proofs of England’s steadfast good faith and noble confidence of our friends. ”