Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-22

one detachment approached Tash Kepri or
our bank of the Kushk river
Reply-Tash-kepri is Kurt for Pull
Khisti
| Gen. Komaroffs claim to either bank OF
the kushk is untenable. The left bank has
always been held by the Afghans and was
never subject to Russian occupation. He
says that near the bridge he found an in
trenchment occupied by Afghans. reply
that this position was occupied by the At
hgans previous to Komaroff's advance and TO
the agreement of March II.
Gen. komaroff says-"When the Afghans
were convinced we had no intention of
attacking them they began to come daily
| nearer to our camp" reply that far from
the Afghans being convinced OF Gen. Komar-
off's innocent intent, continued initiating
daily attempts to provoke hostility convinced
the Afghans that the Russians were determin-
ed to provoke a conflict. This induced the
Afghans to what appeared a military neces-
sity in extending their defensive positions.
Gen. k0maroff states that on the 9th of
March the Afghans sent against one company
which was charged with covering recon-
noisance, three companies with cannon and
some cavalry. In regard to this, say The
reconnaissance in force itself meant hostile
intention. The Russian company meant $50
men, more than equivalent to three Afghan
companies, which aggregated 225 men. On
the 9th the two bodies of Russians stimuli
taneously advanced Col Alikhanoff 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. These only retired when inter-
cepted by the Atghans. The Afghan COM
mander viewed this in a most serious light.
Gen. Komarotf states that the arrogance
and audacity of the Afghans increased by de-
grees. l reply that it may have been so. but
If so it was entirely caused by Russian action.
The Afghans did their utmost to avoid a col
lision. The Afghan commander did, on the
2Sth, after the hostile reconnaissance on the
9th, place post of observ alton on the hills
on the right bank OF the Murghab for the pur-
pose of giving notice of any fresh Russian
advance, but the post was withdrawn the next
day.
Gen. Komaroff says that on the 29th he
sent to the Afghan commander an energetic
summons, ETC., and received an answer that
by the advice of the English, he, the Afghan
commander, refused to retire across the
Kushk river. In reply to this, l may state
that the fact itself is reported to me to be
totally incorrect.
Gen. komaroff says he again addressed a
private letter, couched in friendly terms
In reply say: The letter in question W as
never seen by any officer of commission, but
Capt. Delashoe was told letter had been
received few hours before the Russian at
tack on the 30th. have now called upon
Sepeh Salai for a copy of the second letter.
Gen. Komaroff states: On the 30th to sup
port nv demands l marched with my detach-
ment against the Afghans position, counting
still on pacific result, but the artillery fire
and cavalry attack compelled me to accept a
combat.
In reply say the Russians advanced to
attack the Afghan position, and of course the
Afghans were obliged to defend themselves.
Certainly the engagement was not CON-
menced by artillery fire as Gen. Komaroff
states, as the infantry fire was heard contin-
uing several minutes before the first gun.
The war office has issued a notice calling
out the first class of the army reserves, COM
prising 10 regiments for immediate and per-
manent service.
An important despatch has been sent to Sir
Edward Thornton, British ambassador at St.
Petersburg, for immediate delivery to the
Russian government.