The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-22

damage thus done to Great Britain IN lndia
would far exceed any losses to Russian COM
merceby blockade of Russian ports.
The Moscow Gazette, in a significant article
on the Anglo Russian dispute, describes the atti-
tude which has been maintained by the Earl OF
Dufferin, Viceroy of India, during the contro-
versy as a sufficient casus belli. The Gazette
also denounces England's action in occupying
Port Hamilton island for the purpose of con-
trolling the entrance to the Sea of Japan, the
route to the Russian Pacific ports, and declares
that unless England surrenders her occupation
of this island, war between Great Britain and
Russia will be inevitable. Continuing in this
strain, the Gazette finally demands that the
Oersund, the strait between Denmark and
Sweden, connecting the Baltic and North seas,
and the Suez canal. shall be closed to England
as well as to Russia in the event of war;
The Journal de ST. Petersburg insists that the
accounts of the battle on tie Kushk river made
by General Komaroff and Sir Peter Lumsden
agree, notwithstanding the English opinions to
the contrary. 1t says detailed statement of
the affair from General Komaroff cannot be had
for several weeks.
The St Petersburg Gazette says the occupa-
ton of Penjdeh was a good answer to the inn
pudent seizure by England of the island of Port
Hamilton.
The Novoe Vremya says that exchange has
again fallen. aud that the war cloud is advanc-
ing. The Novoe Vremya adds that France has
joined with the other powers in insisting that
the Porte shall close the Dardanelles in the
event of war between Russia and England.
The Vienna Politissch Correspondence states
that the real points of the difficulty between
England and Russia are the bridges at Pul-i-
Khisti and Aktapa which command Herat, and
which Russia insists upon retaining.
1t is rumored at ST. Petersburg that Ayoub
Khan, formerly Ameer of Afghanistan who was
arrested at Teheran, was taken into custody by
order of Russia and that he will be kept at the
disposal of the Russian government One of the
uses to which, it is said he will be put if it be
comes necessary, will be to produce schism among
the Afghan troops.
In defiance of her treaty stipulations with
England, Turkey and other powers, Russia is
strongly fortifying Ba.oum, on the eastern coast
of the Black sea- The place is now
flooded with guns and munitions of war, and a
the railway from Poti on the coast, to Tifis, the
capital Of transcaucasus. The railway is of
great value in transporting troops from the
Caspian, on the way from European Russia to
Afghanistan.
Lord Wolseleyis expected to return to England
Immediately, to assist at a council of war. The
English forces on the Nile will be removed to
Lower Egypt, portion being left at Wady
Halfa.
U,u-o ;ro,, cladc and Ave ha1tad cru;sarc ara N
be constructed, at cost of 81, 250. 600.
The Cunard and Guion steamship companies
are employing their own workmen in arming the
steamers Umbria and Arizona. The Umbria
will have ten heavy guns.
The Timess ST. Petersburg correspondent
ilearss - IS the telegraph line from Askabad to
Merv will not be completed until the 9th inst
The statement that it had been finished was
incorrect The situation. the correspondent
says, appears to be unchanged.
A dispatch from Cracow says the frstclass
reserves in Russian Poland and the southwestern
provinces of Russia have been called out.
Advices from Odessa state that two men-of-
war are occupied in carrying guns and ammu-
nition to Batoum, where large army corps is
massing to protect the Tif1is-Poti railroad.
Fortifications are hurriedly being constructed at
Kertch and Jenikaleh.
1t is rumored at Vienna that Lord Dufferin
will resign If Gladstone makes further conceS-
sions to Russia.
The opinion is expressed at Calcutta that it
would be grave mistake to cede Penjdeh to the
Russians. 1t would enable Russia to cut
Herat off from Badokohan. thus preventing
communication between Afghanistan, Turke-
stan and Cabul. and would allow Russia to Sc
cretly push forward a descent upon Cabul by
the Bamian pass, as we'll as to carry on opera
tions by the Murghab river.
The Marquis of Salisbury the Conservative
leader of the House of Lords, delivered speech
at Wrexham, Wales. this evening, in the course
of which he said: "Our hold upon India has
been rudely shaken in the past FIVE years. I'm
less we emphatically reassert our position against
Russia, the Indian empire illcrumble away"