The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-04-17
RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.
Russian Expectation OF More Fighting
ON the Afghan Frontier.
Both Nations Still Actively Pre-
pairing for War.

LONDON, April 16.-A Hong Kong despatch
states that 1000 men have been sent to REIN
force the troops at Vladivostock, Siberian
port on the sea of Japan. An order has been
sent to Cronstadt to get ready within a fort
night forty war ships, including torpedo
boat. Two divisions are about to leave Odessa
for the Caucasus to take the place of those re-
moved to the trans-Caspian territory.
The st. Petersburg correspondent Of the
London Vimes says that alarming rumors are
circulating in Russia, and that there is strong
impression that further conflicts will be re-
ported sooH from the Afghan frontier. 1t is
thought aunlikely that the Afghans will al
low their recent defeat to pass without seeking
revenge. The correspondent continues Rus
sia makes no secret of her intention of invad-
ing Afghanstan if the Afghans compel her to
do 30. The general opinion here is that Eng
land is committing herself TO dangerous pol
icy in forming an alliance with the Ameer
without securing control.
BERLIN. April 16-Telegrams received from
ST. Petersburg say that Gen. Komaroff has
stated that the Afghans refused to obey the or
ders of the English officers, who directed them
to withdraw from their advanced positions.
ST.. PETERSBURG. April 16.-The Official
Messenger publishes this morning the follow
ing despatch from Gen. Komaroff:
DAsHKEPsI, April 6, 1885.
The remnant of the Afghan detachment defeated
by the Russian forces at the engagement on the
Kushk river fed to Herat after the battle. The los
ses OF the Atghans were largely in of the first
estimate In addition to those who fell on the field
OF battle or died of wounds. many pershed during
the 1erced retreat from cold and hunger The
weather has been unusually severe and cold, and
rain or snow has been falling almost without inter
mission for the last IL days. The AfghaDs in their
retreat burned the camp at Baa Mipghale which
Sir Peter Lumsden had lately abandoned. am
gagged in organising provisional administration for
PendJeh and the surrounding district in order to
prevent anarchy The Russian detachment re-
mains at Dashkepsi.
The despatch adds, in conclusion, that there
is no necessity of an immediate forward move
nent on the part of the Russians.
The Nov0eVremya says that the AfghanS on
the hnshk Were disccntented at the conference
between Lord Dufferin and the Ameer at Raw
al Plndi They became fearful that it would
result in another invasion of.Afghan territory
py Brit1sh armies. In consequence of this, af-
ter the defeat Of March 80, they only revolted
against the Ameer's authority.
LONDON, April 16.-The English govern
ment has chartered the Union Mail steamers
Mexican and Moore for use as armed cruisers.
Gladstone in the House of Commons this af.
ternoon answering interrogations said the gov
ernment had no reason whatever to believe
that any such demand had been established as
that reported of Russia g demand for Penjdeh.
In reply to question whether Baron de Staal,
Russian ambassador at London had suggested
as part of the terms of an Anglo Russian un-
derstanding that Pendjeh be annexed TO Rus
sia, Gladstone answered, "There is no reason
whatever to believe that any such demand had
been made. No assurances have been given or
received by either government regarding any
particular points on the Afghan frontier.
Sir Edward Thornton, British auabassaor at
st. Petersburg had telegrsphed that it was uu-
likely that Russia would receive Gen. Koma-
on 9 reply for some days yet.
Gladstone in answer to other questions con-
cerning the Afghan difficulty, denied the story
published today to the g fleet that the Gar had
officially expressed an opinion that war would
Dc deplorable to both countries and hoped a
prompt and simple arrangement would be es-
tablished.
Gladstone said there had been friendly con-
Versations (laughterl between Earl Granville