, 1885-05-27

nnlssanct, three companies with a cannon
and some cavalry" Reply:-A r~econnois-
sance Ill force itself meant hostile intention.
A Russian company meant $50 men-more
than equivalent to three Afghan companies
a%ggregating 225 men. On 9th two bodies
of Russian troops simultaneously advanc-
ed, Colonel Alikhanof with cavalry pushed
past Pul-iKhisti, and Russian infantry
penetrated the right flank of Afghan posi-.
ton on right bank of Murghab. Colonel
AlikhanOf only retired when intercepted
by Afghan cavalry some four miles in rear
of Afghan position, and Russian infantry
only when Afghan commander drew up
three companies and warned Russian Off.
Ger that if he advanced further he would
be fred upon. General Komarof7s Chief
of staff, at interview of Goth, called Colo.
mel Alikhanoffs advance merely a pleasure
trip, but was informed that the Afghan
commander viewed it in the most serious
light.
6. General Komaroft states :-"Afghan
audacity and arrogance increased by de.
grees." Reply:-It may have been so,
but il so it was entirely caused by Russian
action, as the Afghans did all they could
to avoid collision, and it was solely owing
to their patience and forbearance during
two months of inceSsant irritation that
peace has been preserved so long. The
Afghan commanders courteous reply of
29th to General Komarof7s altimatwn
proves his wish to the last to avoid con.
t1ict.
Z. General Komaroff says :-"On 2Sth
Afghans occupied ID height which com.
manded lett flank of our camp, began to
throw up intrenchments there, to establish
a nnOf nF ooVoIrv hahinI ~ Ena o,.V
placed a picket at gunshot distance from
our ford" Reply 1T was the case that
the Afghan commander did on the 18th,
after the occurrence of the hostile recon
noissance on 9th, place a post of obserya.
ton on the hills on the right bank of Muir.
ghab to give notice of any like fresh Rus.
sian advance on that flank, but this post
was withdrawn the next day.
8. General Komaroff says ION the Doth
/ sent to Afghan commander an energetic
summons, &C., and l received an answer
that by the advice of the English he refused
to retire across the Kushk." Reply Tho
fact itself is reported to me to be totally
incorrect, and nowhere in the Afghan
commanders reply is any such statement.
On the contrary the wording is distinct.
~ have duly received your letter regard.
ing the withdrawal of certain pickets.
AS / had received orders from the Gov.
ernor of Herat to consult Captain Yate,
who has been deputed to Penjdeh by Sir
Peter Lumsden, in such matters, / showed
him your letter, Captain Yate afterwards
had an interview with Colonel Zakrchew.
ski, aud informed me of the conversation
which had taken place between them. Be
it known to ye that | must Loyalty obey
the orders I have received from His High.
ness the Ameer. I can in no way do any.
thing contrary to the orders of my
Sovereign. Of course, in matters of detail,
such as alterations in position of advanced
pickets and vedettes posted in front of the
troops, | am prepared to come to an ar.
rangement with We with a view to the
avoidance of any risk of conflict"
o. General Komaroff says :--NI again
addressed a private letter c0uched in
friendly teIms.n Reply The letter in
question was never seen by any officers of
the Commission, but CAPTAIN Delashoe
was told that a letter had been received q
few hours before Russian attack ON 30th.
/ have now called on Sepeh Salar for copy
of second letter. .aef
10. General KomaroR states:-"On 30th,
to support my demands, I marched with
detachment against the Afghan posi-.
ton, counting still on pacific result, bnt
artillery fire. and cavalry attack compelled
me to accept combat" Reply:-Russians
advanced to attack of Afghan position,
and of course AfghanS were Obliged to, de.