The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-05-06
SUMMONED HOME.
Sir Peter Lu1nsden and Colonel
Stewart Ordered to Return
to London.
Great Sensation Caused In Political and
Military Circles.
The Tories Think England Has
Been Humiliated.
The Public GeneraIl y Satisfied with the
New Situation.
Belief That the Struggle Has Only
Been Postponed.


Been Postponed.
this afternoon Mr.. Gladstone announced that
SIR Peter Lumsden and Colonel Stewart of the
British Afghan frontier commission had been
ordered home, and that they were directed to
start a. once anc hasten their journey as much
as possible. The announcement has caused an
enormous sensation in both political and mill
tsry circles Sir Peters recall ia looked upon
as the price paid by the British for the accept
ance OF arbitration by Russia Many express
the belief that by this action Mr.. Gladstone
has subjected England to fresh humiliation,
and assert that when the circumstances be-
come fully known they will demonstrate that
the Premier has purchased peace at a price
which will not be indorsed by the country
1t is officially explained that Sir Peter
Lumsden has not been recalled in diplomatic
sense OF the term, but has been SUNNI oned to
London to advise the government upon techni-
cal matters regarding delimitation of the from
LONDON, May 5.-An eye witness of the
Penjdeh affair says that on March 29th Taib
Sailor, the Afghan commander, received Gen.
homraon's ultlmatnm, which was, ia sab
stance, that unless the Afghans retired from
the left bank OF the Kushk and the right bank
OF the Murghab before the evening of that
date, the Russians would drive them ont the
same night. Taib Sailor, after consulting with
the British officers, declined to evaeuate the
positions referred to, but offered to consider
reasonable proposals regarding pickets and
outposts. Gen. Komaroff made no answer To
tne CHER, and the next morning the Russians
advanced, Turcoman cavalry covering the in
dantry. This movement drew the Afghan fire.
Ihen the Turcomans opened out, showing a
battalion of the 73 regiment, sotnya of Cos
SACKS ana eight guns. Then the latter came
into action and the infantry fred yolleys for
half an hour, sweeping the Afghans down in
MES. The Afghans, with muzzle leaders and
wet powder, answered feebly, while two gnns
badly placed replied tv the Russian artillery.
Ine hushk was sweled and unfordable, and
the enlv means of retreat was by the Pul-i
hhisti bridge seven feet wide. The Cossaeks
swept forward on the left flank of the Afghans
and the Russian infantry charged their in
trenchmenis and carried them at the point of
the bayonet, killing hundreds of the defenders,
who resisted bravely. The Afghans were de.
moralized.
copy of the telegram giving the news of
the agreement of March H. was given to Col.
zacharevski on March 81. Therefore he must
have been aware of the agreement at the time
of the Pepjdeh battle.
After Mr.. Gladstone had announced the
peace arrangement in the House of Commons.
the Conservative members held q meeting aud
discussed their course in regard to the vote of
credit. They decided that it would be imnoli-
tic to oppose the vote. The opinion prevails in
tne party that the government excited the war
.aAo.S a. OhaOA W CON0E lb6 retreat from the
Soudan and to obtain a credit with which to
meet the existing deficits 1t is said Mr.. Glad
stone never had the faintest intention of enter
ing into conflict with Russia.
a communication from the Russian govern.
ment defines the scope of arbitration, II ia not
to include the military question, but ia to he
limited 10 consideration Of explanations with
reference to an alleged violation of the conyen-
tion. The tenor of the arrangement indicates
tnat the aroitrator's function will be to find q
t0rmnIa tiati ins,
"amour propre" of both sides. Emperor viii
liam will be asked to act as arbitrator and il ia
expected that he will consent,
Inc moderate London papers and the public
IN general are inclined to approve the present
plan OF settlement, as 1t will allow England
time in which to put her army and pavv in
perfect lighting order for the final struggle
which majority believe certain to occur The
only fear expressed is that the government
cannot sut1ciently bind Russia to a solemn
agreement not to advance beyond the frontier.
There is sudden subsistence of reports in the
papers OF war preparations, both in England
and in Russia, but preparations will probably
continue on both sides. They will be less hur-
ed on more solid footing.
The STOCK market closed quiet but firm and
general impression prevails in financial
circles that peace between Russia and England
ls assured. On the bourses of the continent to-
day prices were firm and advancing in sym-
s.
Mr.. Gladstone in the House of Commons
this evening was asked how it was that while
Sir Peter Lumsden was recalled from the
Afghan frontier by England, Gen. Komaroff
was retained there by Russia, and if these
facts would not indicate confession of wrong
on England'S side of the Afghan dispute,
Mr. Gladstone stated that there was no rela-
lion between the cases OF Sir Peter Lumsden
and Gen. Komaroff. The latter was not re-
called because he was in command of the Rms
sian forces while Sir Peter had been employed
IN purely civic capacity. Sir Peter Lumsden.
the premier added, had not been recalled. bnt
had been consulted upon the subject, and in
conformity with his own views had been re-
quested to return to England, as it had been
decided to 3arry on in London future com
munications with r Russia about the main points
on the Afghan frontier. Both Sir Peter Lums-
den and Col. Stewart had been directed to
come to London.
Baron De Staal, Russian ambassador. and
Earl Granville had long conference todav on
the question OF what guarantee should be pro.
vided against Russian advance on Herat It
Is reported that Earl Granville proposed the
making OF treaty pledging Russia against
iurther advance and recognizing an English
protectorate in Afghanistan.
some feeling OF uncertainty still 'remains in
diplomatic and official circles as to the MAIN
talnance OF peace, and naval and military
woEk will continue until both branches are
fully supplied with stores.
The Times in editorial says:-There is little to
pe tnankful for except the fact that war has been
avoided at price which as yet we are unable to
calculate with precision, as it is dependent anon
the Russian governments ability to curb the ag-
greSslve spirit OF the military party
Inc Standard repeats the statement that the
king OF Denmark will probably be accepted by
Russia and England to arbitrate upon the Question
Oh the violation of the agreement of March II,
, Inc DAILY News says the government considers
Lnat kussias despatch of Saturday is q full and
maj acceptance OF Earl Granvilles proposals. The
news, In an editorial, says:-The government must
Delleve the worst is not to come.
The Post. in an editorial this morning, says:-One
more humiliation, when they crowd SO thickly on
us, would be of little moment if thereby we could
avoid war, but. even if the from ier question is
settled. the inevitable conflict will only be post
poned for brief period.
Inc Standard says edtorially:-Earl Granville
tArows up the sponge in the most artistic manner.
we nave no doubt that when the British empire
perishes it. too will have learned to die esthetica
~ 1t remains to be seen how much life there is in
u yet The only serious matter is the position of
Sir Peter Lumsden, whom all Asia is laughing at.
we are unable to say what will become Of him.
Will he be able to report the severity of the wealth
or the sharpness of Russian sabers, the ferceness
OF Russian humor? At any rate he has not sRr-
rendered the frontier That is left to negotiation.
The Telegraph says the danger is not yet past.
The Marquis of Salisbury, in opening The conser-
yattve club last night said regarding the frontier
natives Of India, who would say that Russia always
retires.
ST. PETERSBURG, May 6.-The Novoe Vremya
says Is evident that the English cabinet is
WIN much less than when they hurled their thun-
1efDoits around on account of the battle of
Daskkepri. The question however will never be
fhAd off fhsTa