Huntsville gazette., 1885-05-02
iny in the mercantile marine, asking them

lu5 Ia tue meIcantlfe marine, asking tnem
to serve as officers Of new cruisers.
The studies of the graduating class in the
artillery at the Woolwich Academy, have
been ordered to be shortened, SO as to en-
able the cadets to join their batteries atthe
earliest possible date.
Immense quantities of coal is being ship
ped to Capetown, South Africa for the use
of the British armed cruisers and men OF
war in the event of the Suez Canal being
blocked or an outbreak OF war between
England and Russia.
The Russians have occupied Meruchak
20 miles south of Penjdeh on the Murghab
river. The Ameer while careless about
Pepjdeh, attached great importance to Me-
ruchak.
Gladstone's speech in the House of Com
mons on the vote Of credit, is generally ap
proved by the German press.
GslMANY TO REMAIN NEUTRAL.
The Berlin N i'ior al zeitung says that
Germany remains neutral IN the present
crisis in The relations Of England and Ru,-
sia, adding that no request has been receiv-
ed for meditation. The National Z.itune
also denies that the Gar wrote the Empe-
ror of Germany the chllfes for peace has
dimini, he'd.
The Government has accepted the offer
made by New South Wales Of their coniin-
gent now in the Soudan for serving in India
or ELSEWHERE, as may be required by the
military authorities.
THE SECOND ENGAGEMENT.
LONDON, April 29.-News Of another bat
tie, though it is yet unconirmed, has great
Iy increased the danger of war.
The Times says that the rumor is prob
ably the first DOSING out Of the news which
has been officially suppressed. At present
only the independence Beige aud Daily
News have received report of the battle.
1t is presumed that the Russians followed
A tocy OF the reIreating Afghans while
scouting in the country for tue purpose OF
collecting information. and perhaps push.
ed to ChameGibeide thus coming into con-
tao, With the Afghan troops On g direct
route TO Herat, or a similar movement may
have been made from lGkar or Akrobat.
At present there is nothing 10 show where
the conflict occurred.
The declaration Of war is not expected to
follow directly upon rupture Of the dip
lomatic relations. Baron DeStaal and Sir
Edward Thornton woull be recalled and
Russia would then probably order Gtneial
Komaroof to advance On Herat, England
meanwhile occupying Q!tttah and Con-
dahar.
LONDON. April 30-2 a. ma dispatch
just received from Petersburg says: After
the council yesterday, at which Gier's pro
pcsals to adopt conciliatory measures to
ward England were rejected De Giers ten
dered his resignation as foreign minister,
but the Car refused to accept it at the
present crisis. On the arrival of the news
OF the Russian defeat in Afghanistap. the
Gar sent a courier dispatch to England III
the nature of an ultimatum and signed an
order for the mobilization Of forces. The
Imperial bark has been ordered to provide
the Government with 20, 600. 900 roubles.
The Admiralty is negotiating for the pur-
chase of II of the best available steamers
to be converted into gunboats
EFFECT OF THE ADVANCE.
In Ministerial circles the Russian advance
TO Maruchuk is not considered as altering
the diplomatic position. No action will be
taken until Giers responds to Earl Gran
vlile's demand Cor an arbitration inquiry.
II is expected Giers' reply will not reach
the Russian Embassy here before Monday,
and that it will be a refusal to accede to
Granville's demand, accompanied by coun-
ter proposals.
A dispatch to the Daily News from st.
Petersburg, confirms the statements of the
Independence Beige, that in the recent en-
gagement with the Afghans the Russians
were defeated with a heavy loss.
An Odessa Dispatch says the whole Of the
military division stationed here has been
ordered 10 the Caspian Sea. The div sion
will be replaced by troops from the Inte-
rior. Half million roubles will be devot-
ed to the immediate construction of de
fenses commanding the roads and quaran.
tine here.
PREPARATIONS IN RUSSIA.
ST. Petersburg. April 30.-Fifty heavy
guns have been sent from K.eff to Finland.
The Car has sign9d the order for tie
equipment OF The whole Russian Il .et. The
Russian Minister Of tie Marine has com
pleted the inspection Of all the ports at
Croustadt.
An O!essa date says: The Russian re-
serves are mobilizing. Ali business trans
actions now being entered into here are
undertaken sntJect TO heavy war risks
The j. ,ss:an government has crieIe the
Southwestern railway to prepare several
hundred railway carriages and have them
ready at as early moment as possible for
~ g T.