The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-07
Severe Criticism Of the Government Because
of the Ambiguity of the Statement
Concerning the Afghan Question.
Nothing Yet Known as to Who Will
Consent to Serve as Arbitrator.
Semi Official Announcement that Russia Will
Give q Guarantee that She Will Not
Occupy Herat-Notes by Cable.
THE ANGLo-RUssIAN QUARREL.

English Newspapers Continue Criticise
the Action Of Gladstone.
LONDON May 6.-The recall of Sir Peter
Lumsden has created general feeling of uneasi-
ness, as it Is expected to have an adverse in
fuence on the patriotism of the natives of India,
who will consider his recall further concession
to Russia. The Standard says 1--WE must count
it a piece of good luck if the whole commission
is not recalled"
No news is obtainable of the appointment of
an arbitrator. The King of the Begans is spoken
of in Berlin as the potentate most likely to be
chosen. Bismarck has had long interview with
the Emperor of Germany, which is supposed to
have been in reference to the Afghan question.
This gave rise to the rumor that both England
and Russia had asked Emperor William to arbi
trate for them. The Conservative papers think
that the delay in finding an arbitrator foreshad-
ows the difficulty of obtaining the consent of a
European state to arbitrate
The Times this morning complains Of the reti
cence and ambiguity of the statements of the
government in regard to the Afghan question.
1t severely criticises the action of the govern
ment in recalling Sir Peter Lumsden, as the
frontier question will be all settled before he
can possibly arrive in London, and that there
fore, any information he may have will be worth
less so far as the negotiations with Russia in
London are concerned. The Times also says
that the change Of purpose of the Ameer of AT
ghanistan has placed the government in differ
ent position. and that it is time to make him un-
derstand that he must strongly garrison Herat,
and at least allow the English to superintend the
fort fca tinp 0f ho y,1a ic
porarily secured, it would be madness to waste
the time thus gained, which at best can be but
small.
The Standard, in an editorial, says that the
recall of Sir Peter Lumsden completes the
picture of English humility.
Denmark is willing to act as arbitrator of the
dispute between England and Russia, should her
services be requested by both these countries.
The Journal de ST. Petersburg says it lis
pleased to say that the debates in the British
Parliament on the Afghan question have avoided
the military question involved. It declares that
the resumed communications between England
and Russia have replaced the discussion on the
basis of the real interest of Russia and England
in Central Asia, and expresses the hope that Mr..
Gladstone will succeed in appeasing the present
English agitation which has no reasonable
cause. Russia, the Journal concludes, awaits
the result with the same calmness she has hith-
erto displayed"
A dispatch from Simla to Reuters Telegram
Company says: ut is stated that Sir Peter
Lumsden has resigned the position of British
Afghan boundary commissioner, because of his
inability to agree with the policy of the home
government"
The News is authorized to deny that Russia
has stipulated that England shall not occupy
Port Hamilton. The News believes Russia has
offered England positive assurance that she has
no intention of taking possession of Herat.
The King of Denmark has informed Russia
that he is willing to act as arbitrator if he is so
asked by England
A ST. Petersburg dispatch says: 'There is no
appearance of any abatement in warlike prepara-
tions. The mobilizing Of rifle batallions is
still progressing"