Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-04-22

warned BY the Afghan commander as they
had been on February 10th.
Secondly-GeneraI Komaroff states that
near the bridge he found the entrenchm mt
occupied by Afghans. / reply that this
position was occupied by the Afghans pre-.
vious to General Komsrof's advance, and
to agreement OF March 18th.
Ihirdly-Gen Komaroff says: "In order
TO avoid a conflict, placed my troops ii .v
versts from the Afghan position"
In reply 10 this | can only refer t. the
main BODY As Russian troops were in Kzie
Sepe, a mile from the Afghan position, and
Russian vedettes considerably In advance
Of that point
:. tnly-Gen. Komaroff says: "When
the Atghans Were convinced that we had no
intention of attacking them they began to
come daily nearer to our camp"
reply that far from the Atghsns' being
convinced of Gen. komaroff' innocent in
tentions the continued irritating daily at
tempts to provoke hostility convinced the
Atghans that the Russians were determined
to provoke a conflict. This induced the
Afghans to what appeared military neces
Fifthly-Gen Komarof states that on
the 9th of March the Afghans sent against
the company Of which was charged with
covering reconnaissance three companies
with cannons and some cavalry. In reply
to this say: Reconnaissance in force itself
meant hostile intention, Russian company
meant $50 men more than equivalent to
three Afghan con paui s, which aggregated
22j men. On the 9TH two bodies of Rus
slams simultaneously advanced. Colonel
Ahkhanotf with cavalry advanced past
Put-l-Khisti. Russian infantry penetrated
the right flank of the Afghan position on
the right bank Of the Murghah. Colonel
Aikhanoff only retired when intercepted by
the Afghans.
The cavalry was four miles in the rear
Of the Afghan position. The Russian in-
fantry only retired when the Afghan COM
mander drew up, warning the Russian oil.
Ger if ne advanced further he would be fired
upon. Gen. Komaroff, chief of the staff, at
an interview had on the 29th called Col.
Alkbanoff s advance merely pleasure
trip, but he was informed the Afghan com.
mander viewed it in the most serious light.
Sixthly-Gen. komaroif states that the
arrogance and audaciry of the Atghans in
creased by degrees | reply that it may
have been so, but if 50 it was evidently
caused by Russian action. The Afghans
did their utmost to avoid collision. 1t is
solely owing to their patience and torbear-
ance during the two months of incessant
irritation that peace was preserved so long.
he Afghan commanders courteous
reply of March 10Th to Gen
eral Komaroh's ultimatum proves
his wish to the last toward a conflict Gen.
Komarof says that on the 2Sth the Afghaus
occupied the height commanding the left
flank ofthe Russian camp and began to
throw up entertainments there to establish a
post OF cavalry behind the Russian line and
placed picket within gunshot distance.
! reply that the Afghan commander did
on the 18th, after hostile reconnaissance
on the 27th, place a post Of observation on
hills on the right bank of the Murghab
river for the purpose Of giving notice OF
any fresh Russian advance, but the post
was Withdrawn the next day.
Eighthly-General Komarotf says on the
29th he sent to the Afghan commander an
energetic summons, etc, and received an.
swer that by advice OF the English, he, the
Afghan commander refused to retire across
the Kushk river.
In reply to this | may state that the fact
Itself reported TO me 10 be incorrect. No
where in the Afghan commanders reply is
there any such statement. On the contrary
he wording is distinct thus: II have duly
recovered our letter regarding the withdraw
al Of certain pickets as had received orders
from the government at Herat to consult
Capt. Iate who was deputed to Penjdeh
bv Sir Peter Lumsden in such matters. |
showed him your letter. Capt. Gate alter
ward had an interview with Col. Iakrichw-
ki and informed me OF the conversation
which ensued
BE it known to ye; | must Loyalty obey
order | have received from his Highness
The Ameer ! can in no wise act contrary
70 TIE orders Of my sovereign, Of course
IN matters Of detail such as alteration in
Dhr pcsiticn of the advanced pickets and
vttct's. ! am prepared to arrange with
ye With = view 10 the avoidance of any risk
ol conflict
Niuthly-Gereral Komarof says he
again addressed private letter, eouched in
friendly terms.
In reply, | say The letter in question
was never seen by any officer Of the con-
mission, but Captain Detashee was told the
letter had been received a few hours before
the Russian attack on the 3Oth. | have
now called upon Sepch Salas for copy ot
the second letter"
Ttnthly-Geueral Komarof states: Ou
the &Oth, 10 support my demands, marched
my detachment against the AtIhlus posi-
ZION counting still on the Pacific result. but
the artillery fire and the caValcy attack
compelled me to accept combat In
reply, ! say: The Russians advanced
TO attack the Afghan position and Of course
the Afghans were obliged to defend them
selves. Certainly the engagement was not
commenced by artillery fire as General
KCmarof states, as infantry fire was heard
continuing several minutes before the first
gun.
Excited over Gladstoue's Words.
LoxpoY. April 81 .-- The lobby was excited
over Mr.. GlaCdstones statement in Com
mons, which il cousi }ered 10 amount to an
evacuation Of the Soudan. His repeated
references to the necessity Of holding troops
in the Soudan in readiness Tor service
wherever wanted indicated that Englaud is
on the verge Of war. 1t is believed Sir
Peter Lums deD dispatch is certain to inhu
ence the British war feeling to an alarming
degree despite the fact that the credit OF
SO, 100000 means an increase of six pence
in the income tax. 1t is undoubtedly true
that the bulk Of conservative and liberia
members of the House OF Commons will
vote for the credit cheerfully.
Russian Designs on Herat.
WARSAW, April 2l.-The Tagblat an
nounces this morning that 1T is the inten-
ton of Russia to Immediately make de-
scent upon Herat, capture it and strongly
fortify the place 1t also states that the
damage thus done to Great Britain in India
would far exceed any losses to Russian com
merce BY blockade OF Russian ports.
1t is stated that cipher dispatch was re-
ceived at Brussels from St. Petersburg last
nipbt announcing fresh advance Of the