Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-17

Afghsns compel her to do So"
The general opinion here is that Eng
land is committing herself to a danger
Gus policy in forming an alliance with
the Amer without securing absolute
control.
An order has been sent to the Cron-
stadt to get ready within fortnight
forty war-ships, including the torpedo
boats. Two divisions are about to
leave Odessa for the Caucasus to take
the place of those removed to the trans
Caspian Territory.
THE LONDON "TIMEs" on THE SIT
UATION.
LONDON, April l6.--A letter from
Gulran to the Times declares that if
Sir Peter Lumsden, the British Afghan
frontier commissioner, be withdrawn
from the frontier, such action would be
the signal for an immediate seizure by
the Russians Of Herat. Besides this,
the letter says the withdrawal would
cause to Great Britain loss of sup
port among the Afghsns, who even now,
according to the same authority, sus-
pect both the Amer and England Of
treachery.
The Times, in an editorial, says that
while politicians believe, or pretend to
believe, that the prospect is for peace,
commercial and financial circles, COM
posed Of men who are actuated by the
most powerful motives to ascertain the
truth and form their opinions with care,
believe that Russia is bent upon forcing
q quarrel with England. The English
businessmen of the highest class, the
Times says, believe that an emphatic
indication that the position is extremely
critical is afforded in a declaration
made yesterday at Lahore by the Earl
of Duiferin, Viceroy of India, when he
referred to the Penjdeh incident as an
unpIOvOked Russian invasion Of the
Ameer's dominion. The Times points
out that Russia is preparing for war on
large scale without the slightest
attempt now to conceal her intentions.
The fact appears to be beyond doubt.
The Times thinks that the Russian Gov
eminent was fully appriscd of the Penj-
dch battle as early as the 10th Of April.
A" While we in England. " concludes the
Times, "are still waiting for explana-
tons, it is quite possible that General
Komaroff is pushing forward under
telegraphic orders from st. Peters
burg"
THE CESSION OF PENJDEH.
LONDON, April l6.-A special dis
patch from Vienna to the Daily Teie-
graph gives the following: NJ. De Giers,
the Russian Premier, sent telegram to
Baron De Staal, the Russian Minister
at London. in these words am
charged by the Cars personal COM
mand to request you to inform the Eng
lish Government that in the Cars
opinion war would be dcplorable to
both countries. The Car firmly hopes
that prompt and simple ar
rangement will be established. In re-
ply TO this Baron De Staal telegraphed
NJ. DeGiers that the English Cabinet
gladly accepted Giers's communica-
ton. NJ. LeSsar, special envoy of
Russia, in an interview to-day said that
the arrangements for a ccsSiOn of
Penjdeh to Russia had not yet been
completed, but that negotiations were
proceeding favorably. The Ameer, he
thought, would offer no objection to
the cession of Penjdeh to Russia, as
the tribes occupying that place and
other portions of the territory which
has been in dispute have for long
time caused him much uneaSiness on
account of their rebellious spirit and
acts Of violence.
TIE HOUSE or COMMONS.
LONDON, April l6.-Mr. Gladstone,
in the House of Commons this after
noon, answering interrOgatories, said
the Government had no reason what
ever to believe that any such demand
had been established as that reported
of Russia's demand for Penjdeh.
Robert Bourke, ex-Under Foreign
Secretary, and the present Conserva-
tive member for Lynn Regis, asked
whether Baron De Staal, the Russian
Ambassador at London, had suggested
as part of the terms of the Anglo
Russian understanding that Penjdeh be
annexed to Russia.
Mr.. Gladstone answered. There is
no reason whatever to believe that any
such demand has been made. No as
surances have been given or received by
either Government regarding any par
ticular points on the Afghan frontier.
Mr.. Gladstone, in answer to other
questions concerning the Afghan diff
Guilty, denied the story published in the
Daily Telegraph to-day to the effect
that the Car had officially expressed
the opinion that war would be deplora-
bic to both countries, and hoped that
prompt and simple arrangement would
be established.
LONDON, April l6.-Mr. Gladstone
said that there had been friendly con-
versations [laughterl between Earl
Granville and the Russian Ambassador
and others competent to assist, but no
assurances had been given or received
regarding the points on the disputed
frontier. Mr.. Gladstone had no doubt
that Russia had established an " adj
ministration Of Penjdeh." Laughter
In answer to Mr.. Bourke, the
Premier said that he had not been
present at the conversation referred to.
lJeers.l He had no reason to believe
that anv suogestion or demand had