The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-29
AN INCREASING DANGER.
The Probability of War Augmented by the
Recent Battle in Afghanistan.

The Probability of War Augmented by the
Recent Battle in Afghanstan.
LONDON, April 23.-The news of another bat
tie, though not yet confirmed, has greatly
increased the danger of war The Times says
that the rumor is probably the first oozing out
of news which has been officially suppressed.
AT present only the Independence Beige and the
Daily News have received reports of the battle.
1t is presumed that body of Russians followed
a body of retreating Afghans while scouting in
the country for the purpose Of collecting in
formation, and perhaps pushed forward and
came in contact with the Afghan troops the
direct route to Herat; or a similar movement
may have been made from Zulfkar or Akrobat
AZ present there is nothing to show where the
conflict occurred.
The declaration Of war is not expected to fol
low directly upon rupture of diplomatic rela-
tons Baron De Staal and Sir Edward Thorn
ton would be recalled, and Russia would then
probably order General Koraroff to advance on
Herat. England meanwhile occupying Quetta
and Candahar The fact that the Russian
transport which passed through the Suez canal
and was then ordered back. is still waiting at
anxiety.
Grain freights to the north of England from
the sea of Azof were last week 26s, and are now
33s. The first charter for coal to be sent to
Cronstadt was made at West Hartlepool yester-
day at Us Cd per ton, which is nearly Is above
last years rate. Russian importers are anx-
ious to get coal early into the Baltic. All British
merchantmen have been insured against war
risks. During the last few days it has been re-
ported that the whole Russian coast of the Baltic
has been strongly fortified, and that the ap-
proach at any point is dangerous, owing to the
presence of torpedoes and sea mines.
A special dispatch from eTirpu dated April
l6, says that the Russians occupy Ak-Tepe, and
are actively. at work making a military road from
Penideh to Herat
Immense quantities of coal are being shipped
to Capetown, South Africa, for the use of Brit
ish armed cruisers and men-of war, in the event
of an outbreak of war between England and
Russia
Mr.. Gladstone stated in the House of Com
mons, this afternoon, that the government had
received no confirmation of the battle reported
to have recently occurred between the Russians
Mr.. Ellis Ashmead Bartlett Conservative
member for Eye. asked whether Russia had
withdrawn from the undertaking to not occupy
Herat and Mr.. Gladstone answered, mo"
The commssary department of the Indian
army mas completed arrangements for furnish
ing transportation and provisions in India for
two army corps. The first corps consists of
13, 900 British and $4,000 native troops with
10000 camp-folowers transport tenders). and
5000 horses and 80, 600 transport animals. The
second corps consists of IL, 600 British and 10,
900 native troops with $4,000 followers 5000
horses and $4,000 transport animals. One
and Abdulla. and three months supplies to
Quetta.
After the receipt of General Komaroffs cipher
dispatch, yesterday, at the parade Of the troops,
the Gar had detected look
Owing to the great scarcity of coal at St
Petersburg. it is feared that the stock row
held by the merchants will quickly be exhausted
The manufacturers are trying to obtain supplies
of wood instead of coal, but that also is becom-
ing very dear and threatens to compel some of
the manufacturers to close.
The London Standard announces that the
Russians have occupied Meruchak. 1t is not
stated whether or not the Afghans resisted
The pay of the sailors in the Russian navy
has been raised to the war rate.
A dispatch to the independence Beige, from
st. Petersburg, says council was held at the
palace to-day, at which the Car presided. The
council rejected tho proposals made by M. De
Giers to adopt conciliatory measures toward
England. The reply of the Russian government
to Earl Granville firmly maintains the tenor of
former dispatches