Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-16
AFGHANISTAN ACTIVITY.
SIR LUNTSDEN REPORTED TO BE
AT HERAT.

The Natives Throwing Up Fortihcations
to Resist Russisn Advanoe-The
Cars Troops Being Pushed Forward
to Merv from AslIabad-I6,O 900 Already
Ordered Forward
TEHERAN, March 15.-It is reported
that Sir Peter Lumsden has arrived at
Herat and that the Afghans are actively
terrifying the city and the roads between
Sarakas and the Murghab river. There
are several hundred Cossacks near Pull
khatun, which is the most southerly
point nearest to Herat occupied by the
Russians. The Russian forces occupyipg
Merv consist of battalion of infantry.
regiment of dragons and some Cossacks.
AT Askabad there are about 5000 troops
of all arms. One Russian brigade and
convoy of military stores are en- route
from the Caucasus to Askabad. The
Afghans here believe that an offensive
and defensive alliance between England
and Turkey would have the effect of
alternating the Tulcomans from Russian
authority. 1t is expected that the pres
ent Governor of Khorassan will be re-
called. and that his place will be taken by
Ruk Ed Dooleh, the Shah's second
brother.
THE FRONTIER LINE.
LONDON, March 15.-M. Lessar. the
Russian member of the Afghan Boundary
Commission, iii an interview Yesterday
said that Russia desired frontier bound
airy line starting at Peri Rud, a little
south Of Zulfkar, thence running east to
Chamany Bald, on the kushk river,
thence northeast, leaving Balamurghab
to the Afghans, to point few
miles south of Penjdeh, and
thence in direct line northeast
to khOrja Saleh. Russia, he said, had
never admitted that the frontier line due
east from Sarakahrs to KhOria Saleh was
a correct one. The Russians had only
advanced in order TO protect the Turco-
mans who were quitting their towns
In fear OF an Afghan invasion.
England had obtained information
movements long before he knew of them,
because Sir Peter Lumsden was located
near to the telegraph. NJ. Lessar de-
clared that Russia had no designs upon
Herat, which belongs to the Atghans
according to the terms of the
treaty of 1878. He hoped to
see a pacific solution OF the difficulty, and
had no fears of a collision between Russia
and the Atghans, even should the advance
forces of tue Russians make an attack.
such misunderstanding as the present
one, M. Lessar thought, ought not
TO form casus belli, and
would not, unless one country greatly
desired war. He thought it probable that
the Russian troops were concentrating
in the Caucasus and that when the pre-
llminary negotiations were completed
Gen. KamOraff would be ready to join Sir
Peter Lumsden in fixing the frontier.
ACTIVITY AT AsKABAD.
A letter from Askabad dated
Feb. a, says: Communications
between strangers here and the
people in the outside world are closely
supervised. Troops and stores are going
forward daily en- route for Merv. Soldiers
are previously blessed by priests, who
tell them 10 fight Vaiantiy against the
Cars enemies. Civilians and military
men openly discuss the likelihood of a
declaration of war against England.
Great excitement prevails here. 1t is
said that 10000 troops altogether have
been ordered to Merv. Work on the rail-
way from Kizsn Arvat to
Merv is being pushed with
the utmost rapidity. Great difficulty is
experienced in inducing wOrkmen to go
to Merv, as they fear that they will be
killed by the British or by the Afghans."
A letter from Sarakahrs, dated March 2,
states that five battaliOns of Russian in
fantry and three batteries of artillery are
en- route from Bokhara to Mery, and a
small party of COssacks recently at
tempted to traverse the Zulfikar defile,
but was prevented by force.
KOMAROFF'S ORDERS.
st. PETERSBURG, March 15.-Gen.
has been given peremptory or
d2rs to avoid provoking the Afghans.