The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-04
Fifteen Thousand English Troops To Be Held
in Readiness for Operations Against the
Russians on the Afghan Frontier.
Sir Peter Lumsden Urges the Afghans
to Resist Russian EncrOachments.
Admiral Courbet Blockades the Mouth OF the
Ningpo River. and Is on the Look
out for Rice Laden Vessels.
A Decline in English Securities-Russia Re
fuses to Withdraw Her Troops.

LONDON, March 3-The excitement occa-
stoned by the strained relations between Russia
md England still continues, and consols have
fallen in consequence
1t is reported from Woolwich Arsenal that in
military circles it is understood the government
has arranged to hold in readiness Is 900 troops
for service against Russia in Afghanistan.
England will depend for protection upon the
reserves.
In the House of Lords this afternoon, in an
swer to question respecting the position of the
government on the Russo-Afghan frontier ques-
tion Earl Granville admitted that Russian
troops had been advancing in the disputed ter
ritory of Afghanistan, and when requested by
England to withdraw from their advanced posts,
had refused to retire. Sir Peter Lumsden had
advised the Afghans not to retire from before
the Russian troops, but to dispute every inch Of
ground, and had said the British government
would uphold them Granville refused further
information
When pressed by tine Marquis of Salisbury
concerning the situation in central Asia, Gran
vile said the latest reports from Sir Peter
Lumsden were that the Russian outposts now
occupied Tulfkar Pass, twenty miles south of
Puli-khatum. A post of Turkomans was also
stationed at Sulikhiote. few miles distant
from Penjdeh. Granville said representations
had been made to Russia earnestly pressing her
to give stringent orders to her military COM
mander to refrain from any forward movement
which would be likely TO bring about a collision
between the Russian and Afghan outposts. In
reply to our remonstrances, Russia declined
ITohO
Saryan and Tulfkar Pass, but government has as
surances that the Russian officers have been
ordered to carefully avoid conflicts with the
Afghans and no complications need be feared.
Sir Peter Lumsden has eIerted himself TO pre-
vent collisions, and has advised the Afghans to
maintain themselves at the posts they now oc-
cupy. This advice has been approved by her
Majesty's government. Sir Peter Lumsden has
been instructed to urge the Afghans, at the same
time to refrain from advancing beyond their
present positions. Negotiations are now in
progress between her Majesty's government and
Russia for a settlement of tho difficulty.
The Marquis of Salisbury asked whether the
Russian outposts were within the boundary of
Afghanistan, and the Secretary of State for
India said he had no hesitation in saying that
England regards the Russian outposts as within
the Afghan boundary, and that they form con-
siderable advance in the direction of Herat
The Marquis of Lothian asked. 'Does the
whole question of peace war between England
and Russia depend upon chance squabble be-
tween the Afghan and Russian outposts2'
Granville, Foreign Secretary, said he must
have notice of the question. and the Marquis
thereupon gave notice that he would repeat the
question.
Lessar, of the Russian Afghan frontier COM
mission, will leave London Monday, discus
sion of his proposals having closed There is no
fear at the Russian embassy of war between
England and Russia. The Russian commission
Will meet the English commission, near Balla-
murghab, about May 10. The decline in Russian
fves on the stock exchange since Feb. Z, is only
403.
The Daily News expresses the hope that Rus
sian statesmen will prove reasonable and keep
their word, otherwise the consequences must
be on their heads, not on ours 1t says: 1--WE
are bound by solemn treaty to protect the
Afghan frontier"
The Times commends the decisive Afghan
policy of the government, and says: Oar rights
there are clear beyond dispute. Whatever may
be necessary for the safety of India, England is
fully prepared to attempt and perfectly able to
perform"
The Standard and other papers comment in q
similar strain.
Russia's Recent Advance Toward India.
New York SUM-
The latest news from Persia and Afghanistan
and relentless advance of Russia towards the,
British outworks during the last FIVE years, or
since the fact was recognized that the short and
easy route to India is not from Tashkend by way
of Balkh to Cabnl, but from the southeast corner
of the Caspian, directly to Herdt. The capture of
Cock -tepe; by Gen. Skobeleff and the subiuea-
tion of the Tekke Turcomans, were speedily fol-
lowed by the annexation of the Merv oasis and
the occupation of Sarakhs which place will soon
be connected with the Caspian by rail- Russian
influence has for some years been so dominant at
Teherau, that even point of well known STRAIT
egical value like Sarakhs was coded for the ask
ing, and the further sacrifice of Penideh and
other convenient positions in KEorassan was of
course, to be expected. But there is an old dis
pute between the Shah and the Ameers of Cabul,
about the Khorassan frontier, and as Penjdeh is
now occupied by an Afghan garrison, the ap-
proach of a Russian force to take possession OF
that place, in pursuance of the agreement with
Persia, is not unlikely to result in collision.
1t is true that the intention OF sezing Herat,
imputed to the Czar by the Anglo-Indian authori-
ties, is disclaimed by St Petersburg newspapers
and by Mr.. Lessar the Russian agent pro-
fessedly deputed to settle, in conjunction with a
British representative, the Afghan boundaries.
But what, in view of past experience, do such
disclaimers signify, except that tho Cars gov
ernment is not yet in position to fully execute
its plansl just such assurances were given in
regard to Merv and Sarakhs, yet Russian troops
The time being favorable for fresh step in adj