The Osceola times., 1885-04-18
PEACE OR WAR.

THE LATEST PHASE OF THE SITUATION.
LONDON, April l3.-There is now an
almost a unanimous consensus OF opinion |
that England has been outwitted by
Russia, But the chances Of peace are Just
distinctly improved, and the most cool
headed observers believe that all reason
able excuse for further puttering Is de-
s,royed. The ground for this belief Is
the general conviction that the Cabinet
must regard General Komaroff's dispatch
regarding the battle on the kushk and It's
antecedent man9uvers as being
virtually Russia's reply to Lord Gran
ville's demand for an explanation. The
report of General Komaroff absorbs at
tention in military and political circles.
The imputation that English officers in
stigated the Afghans to advance is scout
ed by the politicians, but the report OF
Captain Yates on this point is anxiously
awaited. Sir Peter Lumsden has already
described the Afghan movement as an act
of purely defensive strategy, but his
brief dispatch was based up
on the report of his staff officers.
Captain Yates, and the details OF the lat
ter's report are needed to establish the
facts to the satisfaction of military ex-
perts. The Cabinet, however, will
forced to speak without waiting for de-
tailed report of an already old story from
a detailed officer. 1t is expected that
Mr.. Gladstone will make statement ii
the House of Commons tomorrow.
The Tories and the bulls believe that
the Premier will say in effect that the
Afghans provoked and deserved the
thrashing they got. This assertion Will
of course be CLOSED with phrases OF
sympathy and regret. Ii NAV also be
accompanied by the statement that Rus
sa has made some important con-
cessions regarding the southern
limit Of the debatable zone,
Then the bulls will have their innings on
the Stock Exchange. 1t is reported that
the bears netted Sl,250,00O profits by
last Thursdays panic, and the bulls hope
ty recoup to-day or tomorrow. The ei-
feet of General Komaroff's statement has
been weakened by reports received by
way of the Austrian telegraph stations
on the Russian frontier that
Penjdeh was occupied by Colonel Alijah-
anoff on the I'd inst.
Russia explains that Komaroff was
obliged to occupy Penjdeh In order to
stop the piliaging OF the district by Tur-
comans, and that the Afghans had threat
ened to resume offensive operations.
Although the peace side of the balance
is slowly rising, the executive depart
ments are relaxing none of the vigor
e kntr t.Nnn for 1h.af I'm
force OF officers and artisans at Wool
wch Arsenal has been worked through.
out this week, day and night, preparing
heavy sea ordnance. The special
object of yesterdays overwork was the
| arming of the chartered transatlantic
vessels, Oregon and America. The pro-
| fessional ana other critics of the Admir-
| laty have renewed their attack, and find
many chances to carp at the present prep
arations The latest charge is that there is
scarcely vessel in the Pet Channel feet
that could steam 100 miles at the rate OF
ten knots per hour without disabling her
machinery. The Admiralty officials re.
ply that it Is quite possible that their OPP
ponents would be unable TO traverse
the same distance at five knots
per hour without some mishap.
1t is admitted that Russia has more
naval vessels than England, but the reply
is made that England annually spends
more on her navy than Russia does on
hers, the natural corrollary being that
| England's vessels are originally better,
and are better maintained than Russia's
| KoMARoFF's EXPLANATION.
ST. PETERSBURG, April l3. - The
| Proveetelstrehni Viesnek Government
messenger) published yesterday a tele.
gram from General Komaroff explaining
the cause of the battle with the Afghans
on March 30th. On March 25th, this dis.
patch says, the Afghans encamped In
force on the Russian bank OF Kushk
River Wishing to avoid a conflict
Komaroff paid no attention to them, ex.
cept to keep watch upon their move
ments. Finding themselves unmolested,
the Afghans became more aggressive
as accessions to their numbers
from time to time arrived, and finally
| captured a commanding position on the
nights, driving back the Russian pickets,
who occupied it, and advancing their
| own picket line. Komarof thereupon
requested the Afghan commander to
withdraw to the opposite bank OF the
river. lie refused to comply with this
| request saying that he was
acting entirely upon the advice
of British officials. A second
request, couched in the most friendly
terms, was dispatched, but to this no an.
swer was returned. Komaroff then, hop
ing to intimidate the Afghans by an az.
| gressive movement, advanced part OF
| his army, when the Afghans opened fire
on them. The Russians then advanced in
force, and made short work OF the AZ
ghans."
The Russian press unanimously declare
that Komarof's explanation is sufficient
reply to England's demand.
| Work at the Imperial Arsenal Is being
pushed as rapidly as possible, and a
largely augmented force of artisans is
employed night and day. Lieutenant
General Abrctchoff, the conquerer OF
Moukhtar Pasha in the last Russo Turk
lsh war will, it Is said, proceed at once to
Merv to assume command of the Russian
army.
Advlces from Odessa state that there is
great military activity In that city. This
is manifested not only by the garrison,
but also by other troops stationed there.
Numerous battalions of Cossacks are re-
viewed every day. The garrison at
Kertsch is engaged night and day in has.
lening the completion OF works at that
point, and the Touring mills are worked
at their full capacity in the preparation OF
provisions.
| The Tie Restored Again by Death.
JERsEYvILLE, Ill, April l2.--Thc