Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-22
THE WAR-cLoUD THICKENs.
xR. cEApsroNrs SUPPLEMENT-


Rssssa WIN eescese Neshtns-ras Issss
nssve~s ksmarsf ssd ssr Peter Lsmsdss
sersess- Extensive Msnssry Preparations.
LONDON, April 2l.--A Cabinet
council has been summoned for to-day
TO further consider the Afghan ques-
ton.
The Daily News says that nothing
has taken place during che last forty
seven hours TO change the position Of
affairs. Russia persists in the claims
she originally made, and the basis Of
the controversy remains unchanged.
The contracts gwen out by the Govern
ment for new men-ofwar allow two and
a half years in which to build five
cruisers and three and half for two
iron-clads.
Earl Granville, the British Foreign
Minister, in the House Of Lords this
afternoon stated that the Government
had come 20 the conclusion that the
position Of affairs justified putting the
army and navy and the whole OF the
auxiliary forces in condition Of imme-
date readiness for service if required.
Earl Granville said that operations in
Feypt had been such that they could not
be abandoned. The Government had
adhered to their pledges given regarding
the defence of Egypt. BY the vote
they had asked for they had met all
demands Of the Indian Government, the
expenses Of which were entirely cover
ed by the provision at home. The
Government asked for credit OF four
and half million pounds for the Sou
dan account, and six and half
millions for the account OF other
expenses. England desired TO remain
on most friendly terms with all
foreign countries. The contemplated
increase in the strength Of the army and
navy would not in the slightest de-
gree diminish the strong desire enter
tanned by the Government for peace
able and honorable settlement of the
present dispute with Russia. The Earl
of Merely, Under Secretary for War,
announced that the whole Of the first
class Of army reserves had been notified
that they are liable 10 be summoned for
service at very short notice. The
Government had no intention at pres
ent. he said, of summoning the militia
reserves. The vote Of credit was
passed by the House of Lords without
division.
1t is stated that Russia now declines
10 enter into distinct and definite
obligation on no account TO advance
beyond the Afghan boundary-line, which
shall be settled on by joint Anglo
Russian boundary commission. Eng
land proposes such obligation as the
only stable form of settlement of the
present dispute.
LONDON, April 2l.-The Govern
mcnt has asked for credit of eli ,000,-
600 for the army and navy account.
WARSAW, April 2l.-The TagbldH
announces that it is the intention of
Russia to capture and fortify Herat,
and says that the damage that would
thus be done to India would far exceed
the losses that the commerce Of Russia
would sustain by the blockade Of her
ports.
SIGNIFICANT U,TTERANCES.
LONDON, April 2l.--Mr. Gladstone
in the House Of Commons this after
noon announced that the Government
had received Sir Peter Lumsden's an
swer to the Governments inquiries of
the 18th instant. "The message ar
rived to-day" said Mr.. Gladstone,
and it shows how seriously Sir Peter
I.umsden is at issue with General KO-
marof. We cannot" continued the
Prime Minister, enter into details or
state the effect Of this difference in a
few words. The whole matter will be
laid on the table here early tomorrow.
Mr.. Gladstone stated that the Gov
eminent had received no communica-
tons from either Turkey, Austria,
France, or Germany concerning the
closing of the Dardanelles.
Mr.. Gladstone, in presenting the Gov
ernment's request for vote of credit,
said " The Government feels that it is
necessary to hold all the resources of
the Empire, including the forces in the
Soudan, available for instant use when
ever required. The credit does not in
clude any provision for further ofien-
siye operations or military preparations
for an early March on Khartoum.
The Premier requested that the de-
bate be had on the credit on Monday
next, and that the consideration Of the !
budget he postponed until the Both in
slant. He concluded as follows {: 1.-The
Government relies upon the patriotism
of the House, but our intentions have
been and are now based upon strong
desire that every pacific means should
be used to obtain just and honorable
settlement of whatever controversies
England might be involved
THE LOBBY EXCITED OVER GLAD
STONES STATEMENT.
LONDON. April 2l.-The lobby was
excited over MIR. Gladstone's statement
in the House Of Commons, which is
considered taptamOunt to an evacuation
of the Soudan. His repeated refer
ences 10 the necessity Of holding the
troops in the Soudan in readiness
for service whenever wanted in
dictate that England is on the verge of
war. Such words by responsible
Minister, it is thought, will soon make
peace impossible. Ii is believed that
Sir Peter Lumsden's dispatch is certain
TO influence British war feeling to an
alarming degree despite the fact that |
the credit Of 100000 means an in
crease Of Cd. income tax. IL is I'M
doubtedly true that the bulk Of the
Conservative and Liberal members Of |
the House of Commons will vote for
the credit cheerfully.
A RUSSIAN PAPER THINKS THE WAR
CLOUD Is ADVANCING.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 2l.-The
Journal de 81. Petersbourg insists that |
the accounts of the battle on the Kushk |
river made by General Komaroif and |
Sir Peter Lumsdcn agree notwithstand-