Milford chronicle., 1885-05-08
THE INDIAN WAR.


The T,dependdnoe Beige publishes, under re
serve. but from an excellent source specia
dispatch from ST. Petersburg reporting frest
battle between tho Russians and Aighans, IN
which the former were defeated and retired
having met with heavy loss.
The st. Petersburg correspondent OF the
| London DdilV Net0s says: ~ am informed
on good authority Of another engagement on
the Afghan frontier. OF ], 200 Russians who
engaged the Afghans nearly all were killed"
The credit Of S55, 600, 900 was voted by the
English House Of Commons after one OF the
most powerful and telling speeches ever deliy-
I cred bv Mr.. Gladstone. The Premier was
cheered to the echo both during the delivery
and at the close Of the speech. he was also
/ most enthusiastically cheered when leaving the
House Of Commons after the speech.
The proposal to separate the Soudan credit
from the credit for special preparations was
rejected by vote of 229 against 1856.
It is undeniable that Mr.. Gladstone believes
that England's only chance Of peace lies in
/ gaining time. The Premier's constant dream
/ Just now and his highest present ambition is
to retire in a blaze Of glory after having finally
and peacefully settled the central Asian ques-
/ ton.
The Government Of New South Wales has
offered England the Australian contingent
now in the Soudan for service in India.
Thirty-three British vessels laden with
grain have left Riga, Russia, during the past
fortnight, and those remaining in the harbOr
are fastening their preparations for departure.
dispatch from Berlin says that Prince
Bismarck is opposed to mediation as a means
Of settling the troubles existing between Eng
land and Russia.
The Russian Gar has sent an ultimatum to
Great Britain demanding that the latter shall
accept Russias proposed boundary line be-
tween Turkestan and Afghanistan. II
Great Britain refuses to accept this bOun-
dary Russia will proceed to occupy Herat.
A despatch to the Independence Beige from
St. Petersburg says; After the council, at
which NJ. de Gier's proposals to adopt cOncili-
atory measures toward England were rejected,
NJ. de Giers rendered his resignation as
Foreign Minister, but the Gar refused to ac-
cept it at the present crisis. On the arrival Of
the news Of the Russian defeat in Afghanistan
the Gar sent a courier despatch to England
in the nature Of an ultimatum, and signed an
order for the mobilization Of the forces
Official dispatches from India received in
London confirm the report Of the recent de-
feat Of the Russians in a second engagement
with the Afghans on the frontier, and says the
Russians were defeated with heavy loss.
dispatch from st. Petersburg says that the
Imperial Bank Of St. Petersburg has advanced
the Government 20, 100000 roubles as loan 10
carry on war preparations.
Lord Edmund Fitzmaurice, Under Secretary
Of State for Foreign Affairs, announced IN the
House of Commons on Wednesday that the
English Government had received definite and
reliable information to the effect that the Rus
slams we're now in full advance on Herat. He
also announced that the report Of the occupa-
tion of Maruchuk had been confirmed. The
announcement created profound sensation,
and much bitterness was expressed by the
members.
A gloomy feeling prevailed in London
Wednesday morning, the belief being general
that the beginning Of open hostlities between
England and Russia was now only matter Of
a few days.
The stock market and prices have declined
almost uninterruptedly since the opening. The
whole list is lower, but the greatest depression
is in Russian bonds. Consols are fractionaly
fournr