Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-04-16
THE AFGHAN WAR.
The British and Indian Troops Suffer
ing from the Intense Cold OF the
Nortblands.
Russia Demands an Explanation as to
the Presence Of British Officers at
the Kushk Battle.
ANeLo.RussIAs.
oo,1 weather an AfghAnlstMn.


LONDON, April l5.--Military move'
ments In Afghanistan are exceed ingiy
difficult at present on account OF the
almost unprecedented severity of the
weather. Incessant storms Of snow
and hall on the mountains and rain In
the valleys have swollen the rivers
into floods which are impossible by
any means OF transportation with
which Gen. Lumsden's forces are sup
plied. The weather 10 exceptionally
cold, and this fact tells more severely
on the British officers and Indian
troops, who are from the South, than
upon the Russians, who come from
The North.
Kngiand's Turn TO Explain.
Premier Giadstone's apparent hesi-
tation over the Kushk river affair has
emboldened Russia and she ia now
taking her turn in asking explana-
lions and Withdrawals. The report Is
confirmed that NJ. de Giers has de.
manded an explanation Of the pres
ence Of Capt Yates Of Gen. Lumsden's
staff at the Kushk river battle and Of
the part he is said to have taken In
provoking that engagement.
Special dispatches from st. Peters
burg even assert that Russia has de-
manded the recall of Gen. Lumsden
himself on the ground OF his pro-
nounoed sympathy with the Afghans
in their hostility toward Russia, but
this statement is doubtful.
The sultan Inflated,
The government Is still wrangling
with Turkey over the terms OF pro-
posed Anglo-TurlSish alliance. Long
interviews between Earl Granville and
Musurus Pashn, the Turkish minister
and Fehmi Pasha, the sultan's special
envoy, are of daily occurrence. The
sultan Ia coy and In coquetting with
both England and Russia. He prob
ably never felt his Importance in
European politics 80 keenly as at this
moment when Mr.. Gladstone, who
formerly described him rs the un-
speakable Turk, ID bidding for his
favor against the Russians who whip
ped him in 1877. The Russians are
making tempting overtures TO Tur-
key, batting the hook with provinces
on her northern boundary, the pos
session OF which would tend TO consol-
ldate and perpetuate the Turkish EN-.
pire In Europe. Tue solic-
itude of both England and
Russia for Turkish friendship
Is, Of course, caused by the latter's con-
troll Of the Dardenelles, which COM
mand the entrance to the Black sea.
There Is, however, this important diff.
ference between the suitors for Tur-
keys favor-England could force the
straits and Russia could not. No ordi
nary vessel or either navy could pass
the Dardeuelles. Castles and forts and
batteries line the straits from the
.EGean sea to the sea OF Marmora, but
the forts could be sileneed by two or
three of the British monster turret
ships, such AS IntleXible, Devastation,
Terror Alexander or Herculeus;
then these floating steel forts
could be stationed at either
end of the straits to protect
the Engllth and exclude the Russian
vessels. These facts are AZ well known
to the sultan rs TO the British adj
mlralty, and IL Is firmly believed here
that his friendship will eventually be
given TO the side carrying the heaviest
guns.
A Cabinet Council.
200 p. MA cabinet council Is now
being held. Nothing is known as to
the subject under discussion, but II is
believed to be with reference TO the
Anglo-Russian difficulty.
Lord Duaorin's Speech.
LAHORE, INDIA, April l5.-Earl
Dutlerin, the British viceroy OF India
has arrived here from Rswul. Plndee.
He comes officially to confer with
Nah ariah of Cashmere. The viceroy
was met by great crowd and &C,
corded u splendid reception. In reply
TO an address of welcome presented
by the officers of the municipality the
earl spoke officially OF the Anglo Rus.
sian situation In significant words,
Among other things he said:
Coming from an important inter.
view with the ameer OF Afghan.
istan, whose dominiens, 30 far
as have been able to ascertain, have
been the scene OF an unprovocable at.
tack, Il Is "a great satisfaction to find
the princes aud people OF India ready
with one accord to rally around the
standard OF Great Britain, even at a
distance from their own frontier. II
10 impossible 10 say how the present
crisis will end. Fit ends in war that
result will be In spite OF the earnest
and anxious endeavors OF the British
government to avoid so dire an as.
sAult and In defiance OF their most
moderate and concilatory conduct"
The Canadian Veterans fold to be Ready.
KINGSTON, ONT, April 10 The
imperial pensioners, on being paid Oh
to-day, We're warned that, in the event
of war between England and Russia,
all under fifty years OF age might be
called into service. The veterans re.
oeived the news with great satIsfac.
tioa.
The Other Powers Must Look on.
PARIS, April l5-La PAix (Peace)
says that in the event OF war between
England and Russia, the other pow
ers, especially France, must remain
strictly neutral La Paix hints that
such an agreement already exists.
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