Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-10-18
BY CABLE.
German, Austrian, English and
Russian Complications.
Fears Of Difficulty Between England
and Russil-Attitude of
Germany, Austria
and Persia.
Lord Derby Casting His Innu-
ence with the Liberals.

LONDON, October 10. Y Various
rumors that have been floating about
in political circles during the past few
weeks now seem to take on more
definite character. The following
summary of the political situation is
based on information which has been
obtained from good authority:
Prince Bismarck, during his sojourn |
in Vienna, has succeeded in securing
a secret defensive alliance between
the German and the Austrian empe-
rors, This alliance is strongly ap-
proved by England, though she is not
actually party to the understanding.
The relations between England and
Russia are at this moment almost
critical. The friendly interchanges
between the two powers which were
recently observable, have given way to
evidences Of jealous diplomatic ques-
tionings. England has been watching
with no little fear the progress Of the
Russian expedition against the Tekke
Turcomans, and the question of a
possible Russian occupation of Herat
has been discussed in. all its bearings
on the now absorbing Central Asiatic
question. Russian journals urge the
czar to extend his territory in Central
Asia down to the Hindo0- Koosh, and
to secure Herat On Monday last
Count Schouvaloff, the Russian am
bassador, had an interview with Lord
Salisbury, when he was instructed to
broach the question as to an arrange
ment respecting Afghanistan. Count
Schouvalof proposed that Russia shall
have the jurisdiction of the eastern
part of Afghanistan, while England
should take possession of the western
part as far as the HindOo- K GOSH.
Lord Salisbury declared in the most
emphatic, even harsh terms, that
England would not allow Russia to
meddle in any way whatsoever in the
matter He said thai the future of
Afghanistan has to be settled by Eng
land exclusively. Count Schouvalofi
persisted in advocating the plans sug-
gested by his government, and seeing
SaHsbury's stubbornness, proposed
various other plans Of settling the
Central Asiatic difficulty. But Lord
Salisbury refused to consider these
propositions. Thus the interview ter
minated.
Count Muenster, the German Am
bassador at the Court of st. James,
has had several interviews with Lord
Salisbury during the past two weeks,
and it is believed that his explanation
respecting the present political stu
alton on the Continent influenced
Lord Salisbury in his unusually en-
phatic language to Count Schouvaloff
1t is also rumored that the English
government has lately succeeded in
obtaining certain assurances from the
Shah Of Persia of such a nature as to
satisfy Lord BeacoDsfeld that, in the
event of complications arising be-
tween England and Russia, Persia
will not side with the latter power
The Shah's assurance, it is thought,
may have resulted from his knowledge
of the bad plight of the Russian ex-
pedition against the Tekke Turco-
mans, and Lord Salisburys emphatic
language is probably based on the
certainty that in a race for Herat the
English troops could undoubtedly
reach first the goal
All information received here seems
to point to the probability that the
Russian expedition is moving slowly
or has received definite check. The
Daily News this afternoon publishes
letter from st. Petersburg which con
firms the news of the defeat of the
Russians at Cock Tepe The letter
says The advance column of the
expedition, after an Intellectual as
sault on Dengiltepe, retreatcd on the
main body, which fell back to Beur-
ma during the night"
A dispatch from Berlin to the
Standard says The truth about the
Geek Tepe affair is gradually leaking
out. The assault on the Dengiltepe
earthworks was made on the Plevna
pattern. After an Intellectual cannon
ade the Russians made a rush with
fixed bayonets, but were repulsed and
retreated in disorder. The Turcoman
cavalry, attacking the Russian flank
and rear, created such confusion that
when the vanguard reached the main
force in reserve the latter was unable
to stem the tide Of retreat, and was
itself compelled to retire forty miles
before order could be restored.
According to private intelligence
received at st. Petersburg the Russian
loss is much greater thar the official
reports admit.