Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-14

THE RUSSIANS IN PENJDsH.

A London telegram Of Sunday says:
General Ksmaroff has made detailed
statement tending to show that the
Afrhans provoked the recent battle.
The effect Of this statement, however,
has been weakened by reports received
by way Of the Austrian telegraph sta
tons on the Russian frontier. Penjdeh
was occupied by Colonel Alikhsnof on
the Cd instant. Russia explains that
General Komsroff was obliged 10 occupy
Penjdeh in order TO stop the pillaging
Of the district by Turcomsns, and that
the Afghans had threatened 10 resume
offensive operations.
The Russian Minister Of War has
sent congratulstory message to Gene
raj Komaroa, and has directed him to
thank the troops in the name Of the
Gar. and TO announce TO them that all
who took part in the battle will be re-
warded according TO their rank.
The Official Nessengsr OF ST. Peters
burg publishes the following telegram
from General Komsrof, dated April
LIST:
"On the 25th Of March our detach-
mont approached Dashkepri. When
near the bridge we saw an eotrcnch-
nent occupied by Afghans. In order
to avoid q conflict / stationed my
troops five versts IA little over three
miles, from the Afghan position. Ne
gotiations with Captain Yste 10 member
Of Sir Peter Lumsden's foreel began on
the Goth. When the Afshsns became
convinced that we had no intention Of
attacking them they daily drew nearer
to our camp. On the 9th they dis
patched against a company Of ours,
covering a recommending party, three
companies. with q gun and some
cavalry. Next day, their sudscity
and arrogance increasing, they occu-
pied high and commanding position
on the left flank OF our camp, made in
trenchments, and placed a cavalry post
in the rear Of our line and picket
within gunshot Of our fort. On the
Doth | sent the Afghan commander an
energetic summons to eyscuate the left
bank Of the Kushk and the right bank
of the Murghsb as far as the mouth of
the Kushk. lie replied that, acting on
the advice Of the English, he would not
retire beyond the Kushk. ! then sent
him private letter, couched in ami
cable terms. On the 30th, in order to
support my demand, | marched with
my detachment against the Afghan po-
sition, still eXpectinga pacific issue;
but fire from the Afghan artillery and
an attack Of their cavalry compelled me
TO accept combat"
The st. Petersburg Journal says that
the foregoing statement leaves no ques-
ton that the Russians did not act az
excessively; that, moreover, Sir Peter
Lumsden's secoud dispatch to the Bril-
tish Government justified General Ko-
maroff's action. and that even Mr. Glad
stone has shown praiseworthy anxiety
TO atone for the ungrscious words about
Russia which first escaped him. The
press unanimously declare that Ko-
marof's explanation is sufficient reply
TO England's demand.
II is reported that Lieutenant-Gen-
.eral 0brOutcheh, chief of the general
staff Of the imperial army, is about to
proceed to Mery to assume command
of all the military operations in Tur-
kestan and Afghanistan. General
Obroutchef is known as the conQueror
of Moukhtar Pachs, whom he defeated
at Aladjs-Dsgh after pitched battle
lasting two days, in October, 1877.
The imperial arsensls at Cronstsdt
and elsewhere are being worked to their
utmost capacity preparing field and
siege artillery, small arms, and ammu-
milton for immediate service.
A rumor is current that the conflict
between the Russians and Afghans
arose in the following way: "Some Of
the English officers stationed at the AZ
CHAN outposts invited some Russian
officers on the other side to breakfast.
The Russians were unable TO accept the
invitation, but they sent An invitation
to the English officers. The latter &C
ccpted. and stayed in the Russian camp
until late at night and then asked for
sn escort. General Komsroff dis
guiSed some Of his officers IS pri-
Yates to accompany the escort,
with the object Of obtaining news
of the Afghan forces. When the
escort arrived at tho Afghan camp one
Of the RuSSisns was observed taking
notes in his pocket-boOk. The Afghsns
tried to take away the book, a struggle
ensued, and shot was fired, from
which side is not known. The Rus
SLAMS hurried back to their camp and
the Russian troops were called to arms
and advanced against the Afghans next
morning.
The London Daily Telcgroph's Berlin
dispatch says that General komarotf
has been appointed commsnder-in-chief
of the Russian army in Turkestsn, and
asserts that Russia refuses to yield an
inch.
A dispatch received at the War Office
from Sir Peter Lumsden, at Tirpul,
says the Russian army is advancing
down the Murghab river.
Up to an early hour this morning the
Government had received no further
dispatches from 1t. Petersburg.
1t is reported that a council Of war
has been held at ST. Petersburg, at
which the Car presided, and that the
Car has appointed General Komaron
ommander-in-chief in Turkestsn and
has issued orders to push $4,000 troops
forward to the Afghan border.
A Rawsl Pindi telegram says; The
Ameer Abdurrahman left for Cabul to-
day. Previous TO his departure a
grand review of the army took place,
and the Ameer was invested with the
insignia of the order Of the Grand Cross
of India. lie expressed himself as be-
ing greatly pleased with his visit, praised
the troops, and hoped that the friend
ship between India and Afghanistsn
might be eternal.
There was not hitch in the whole
course Of the negotiations between the
Amer and the Viceroy. The Amer
has great belief in the natural defensive
strength Of Afehanistan to repel Rus
that Tho IL ~