Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-14

| three weeks. The only posslL %
snse on peace Is In GIadstons's :.ps''n
policy. 80
LoSDoS, April 1s.-Instructi. on
have been telegraphed to Sir PETE
Lumsden 10 transmit to London as
quickly as possible his report and that
Of Captain Yates Of the conflict on
Kushk river.
At the various military and naval
stations preparations for war continue
to be vigorously made.
ST. PETERSBURG, April l3.-The
Otscial Messenger to-day publishes q
further communication nom General
Komaroff regarding the recent battle
between the Russians and Afghans on
the Kushk river. He asserts in this
telegram that the menacing attitude OF
tho Afghans in advancing so closely to
bis lines, and occupying several avsila-
BILE positions, together with the refusal
Of the Afghan commander to pay any
attention to his protests, made him ex-
pect that the Afghans contemplated q
night attack on his lines.
OFFICIAL INTERVIEWS.
LONDON, April 13.--General Ko-
msrof's explanation is regarded as in
adequate in official circles. Earl Gran
Vile, the British Foreign Minister, i'm
medistely after the adjournment Of to-
days Cabinet meeting, had interviews
with Fehrni Pacha, special envoy from
Turkey, and Count Karolyi, the Aus
trisn Ambassador.
JUSTIFICATION OF wABLIKB HOS
Utilities.
LONDON, April l3.-hr. Gladstone,
in the House Of Commons this after
noon, stated that the Government, upon
the receipt from Russia of General ko-
msrofr's explanation Of the Penjdeh
incident, had telcgraphed to Sir Peter
Lumsden for information as TO the cor
rectness Of the Russian commanders
justification Of his conduct in attacking
the Afghsns. Mr.. Gladstone also an
nounced that the Government had re-
ceived full report of the communica-
tons which had passed between the
Earl of Dufferin, the British Viceroy of
India, and Abdurrshman Khan, Amer
Of AfghAnistsn, in the councils re-
Gently had between them at Rawal
Pindi. These communications, the
Premier added, were entirely sat-
isf.ctory to the Government, eI-
planning the delay of the Govern
ment in reaching final decision
with Russia. Mr.. Gladstone said that
the reports Of the Russian officers who
took part in the Pcnjdeh battle and
those of the English officers who wit
messed the engagement differed so ma
terially in substance and effect that the
Government felt obliged to make an in
dependent inquiry. This was proceed
ing now, and the Government was do
ing everything in their power towards
ascertsiniDg the facts.
Mr.. Gladstone also stated that General
KomarOfrs report of the recent battle
between the Russians and Afghans had
been telegraphed to Sir Peter Lumsden,
but no reply had as yet been received
from the British Commissioner. Tho
Russian Premier, he admitted, had
failed to answer the material parts OF
Englsnd's communication sent on tho
day of tho receipt Of the news Of the
battle.
Mr.. Ellis Ashmeas Bartlett (Conser-
vative) asked ifthe Government had been
informed that the Russians had ad-
vanced to Murghab river. Mr.. Glad
stone replied that the Government had
not received any information of that
exact character. The Government was
aware, however, that rumor existed
so the effect that the Russians had
made such All advance. In response 10
other inquiries, Mr.. Gladstone said he
expected 10 soon receive further COM
munications about General Komaroff' 5
action from DeGiers, the Russian For
eign Minister.
LONDON, April 13.-The Govern
ment has ordered the transformation of
the steamship Oregon into a man-Of-
war instead Of \ troop-ship, as at first
intended.
Sir Peter Lumsden has occupied a
strong position at Tirpul. lie is be-
lieyed now to be able to prevent the
Russians from attempting a coup de
man in the direction of Herat.
THE THUNDERER' SARCASM.
LONDON, April ia Times edi-
torial says; General Kcmaroff makes
no excuse for his fresh advance. He
admits he did not see the Aighans until
near the bridge. This admission from
such source that the Afghans had not
advanced is valuable. General Koma-
rolf deliberately went in search of
the Afghan entrenchment, sat down
within easy shelling distance, threw
out an advance guard to seize
any undisputed, convenient posi-
ton. and sent al ultimatum demanding
that the Afghans evscuate theirpoSition.
He then marched forward and made an
attack, all the while laboring to main
tain peace. General Komarof is GER
tainly humorist of the first quality.
1t il fair inference that he never
received orders not to advance. The
tenor of the whole article is to the
effect that war is certain. The Times
congratulates the country upon having
enormous defensive resources and upon
possession Of loyal India.
PARIS, April l3.-The French Min
listers at London, St. Petersburg, Ber-
lin, and Vienna, have been ordered to
remain At their posts during the Afghan
crisis.
Exeisement I'm Dublin.
lBy cable to the Dispatch.l
DUBLIN, April ia scene o.
/ os..DAo1 a.. lopar