The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-05-02 00:00:00

WAR REGARDED AS INEVITABLE.

- A Reuter's telegram from Simla on Monday night
says that no order had then been issued for the des-
patch of British troops to the frontier, but prepara-
tions were being hastened.
A message from St. Petersburg, transmitted through
the same agency, on April 27, gave the intelligence
that war between England and Russia was regarded
in that city as inevitable. It was stated that the Czar
would leave for Moscow the same day, and issue a
manifesto from that city.
The Paris Temps of April 27 published a telegram
from Berlin stating that correspondence of a semi-
official character had been proceeding between the
Royal families of England and Prussia on the subject
of mediation, but that Prince Bismarck is believed to
be opposed to this course at present.
The opinion prevailed in the French capital that all
hope of peace has not yet disappeared, and that a
peaceful solution might be arrived at if England were
to renounce her demands for an inquiry into recent
military events on the Afghan frontier, contenting
herself merely with the appointment of a mixed com-
mission for the delimitation of the boundary. Such a
solution, it was thought, would be in perfect accord
with the wishes attributed to Russia.

A Brussels correspondent, telegraphing at 10.10
p.m. on April 27, said: The Independance Beige
publishes a report of a fresh engagement between the
Russians and Afghans, in which the former were de-
feated and retired with heavy loss. The journal
publishes the intelligence with all reserve, but adds
that it is derived from an excellent source.

The Vienna correspondent of the Morning Post
telegraphed on Monday night: I learn from St.
Petersburg that public opinion is becoming more and
more excited, and the chances of a peaceful solution
are becoming hourly more and more difficult. The
most moderate journals hitherto are now crying for
war, declaring that England's attitude has worn out
Russia's patience.
The Berlin correspondent of the same journal,
wiring late on the evening of the same day, said:
There are rumours of a mediation between England
and Russia, but I cannot affirm anything to this
effect. I believe lam justified in asserting that no
negotiation is possible which would place as a basis
any doubt on the veracity of General Kornaroff's
report. The Russian Government declares that it
can accept no discussion on that point, General Ko-
maroff's report being based on facts, while Sir Peter
Lumsden's version is taken from second-hand reports,
the veracity of which he himself could not maintain.

THE REPORTED FURTHER ENGAGEMENT.
[Reuter's Telegrams.]
ST. PETERSBURG, April 28.
No news whatever has reached St. Petersburg of
the fresh engagement reported to have taken place on
the Afghan frontier, in which the Russians were said
to have suffered a severe defeat. The report in ques-
tion is therefore considered to be wholly without
foundation.

SPECIAL COUNCIL AT ST. PETERSBURG.
BRUSSELS, April 28, 10 p.m.
The Independence Beige publishes a telegram from
St. Petersburg, of to-day's date, stating that a special
private council has been held at the Palace, at which
the Emperor, the Government advisers, and several
otlaer important personages were present. In the
course of the deliberations, M. de Giers proposed
that some slight concessions should be made in order
to satisfy England, by means of an honourable
retreat. This proposal was, however, unanimously
rejected.
A second telegram from St. Petersburg to the same
journal gives some particulars regarding the reply of
Russia to Lord Granville, which, it is declared,
although courteous in form, is nevertheless very firm
in tone, and does not withdraw any of the previous
declarations or pretensions of the St. Petersburg
Government. The telegram adds that the reply
would appear to render difficult the continuance of
negotiations on the ground chosen by England.