Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-04-24

videttes. The Russian cavalry detacE-
| ment alluded to did advance against
Puei Khisti March 25, but they retir
ed before reaching there, when warned
by the Afghan commander as they
had been on February 20.
Secondlv-Gen. Komaroff states
that near the bridge he found an en-
trenchment occupied by Afghans.
reply that this position was occupied
by the Afghans previous to Gen.
Komaroff's advance, and to the agree
ment of March 18th.
Thirdly-Gen. Ksmaroff says: "Ip
order to avoid a conflict, l placed my
troops five versts from the Afghans'
position. In reply to this l can only
refer TO the main body, as the Russian
troops were in Kizl Tepe, a mile fror
the Afghan position, The Russian
videttes were considerably in advance
of that point.
Fifthly-Gen. Komarcf states that
on the 9th ult. the Afghans sent
against the company which was
charged with covering a reconnois-
ance, three companies with cannons
and some cavalry, In reply to
this, l say, tho reconnaissance
in force, itself meant a hostile inten-
ton. The Russian company meant
$50 men more than the equivalent to
three Afghan companies, which ag-
gregated 225 men. On the 9th the
two bodies of Russians simultaneously
advanced.
Col. Ali Kihanof with the cavalry
pushed past Pull Khisti. The Russian
infantry penetrated the right flank of
the Afghan position, on the right
bank of the Murghab. Col. Alikhan-
off only retired when intercepted by
the Afghans. His cavalry was
four miles in the rear of
the Afghan position. The Russian
infantry only retired when the. At
gan commander drew three compan>
les warning the Russian officer if ne
advanced further he would be fred
upon.
Gen. Komaroffs chief of staff
in an interview had on the 29th
called Alikanoff s advance merely
pleasure trip, but he was informed
by the Afghan commander vino
viewed it in a most serious light.
Sixthly-Gen. KQmaroff states that
the arrogance and audacity of the
Afghans increased by degrees. I re
ply that may have been so, but il so,
1t was entirely caused by the Rus
sian action. The Afghans did their
utmost to avoid collision. 1t is
solely their patience and fo2ebear>
ance during two months
of incessant irritation that
peace was preserved, so long as
the Afghan commander was court
eous. The reply of March Goth to
Gen. Komaroff's ultimatum proves
his wish to the last to avoid conflict.
Gen. Komaroff says that ON the 2Sth
the Afghans occupied height com
manding the left flank, and began to
throw up entertainments there, to es-
tablish post of cayaly behind the
Russian line, and placed pickets
within gun shot distance. | reply
that the Afghan commander did, on
the 2Sth, after the hostile reconnois-
ance on the 29th, place a post of OBJ
servation on the hills on the right
bank Of the M-rghab river, for the
purpose of giving notice of any fresh
Russian anvance, bet the post was
withdrawn the next day.
ENGLAND CONCENTRATING HER FORCES
LONDON, April 21.-The lobby was
excited over G1adstone's statement in
the house OF commons, which is cons
sidered to be an evacuation of the
Soudan. His repeated references to
the necessity of holding the troops IN
the Soudan in readiness for service
whenever wanted, indicate that Eng
land is on the verge of war. Despite
the fact that the credit of $55, 100000
means an increase eff six pence in the
income tax, it is undoubtedly true
that the bulk of the conservative
and liberal members of the house of
commons will vote for the credit
cheerfullv.