The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-04-10
BRUIN BREAKS COVER
RUSSIA STRIKES A BLOW THAT IS
LIKELY TO COST MONEY.
A Force of Afghans Wiped Out
Nearly, and Two Hundred
Killed,
England Wild with War Excitement and
Spelling to Get into the Scrimmage-
How the Belligerents Are Fixed
An Excellent Show
for Big Fight.

for Big Fight.
NEW YORK April 1a.-Ths following
ominous kilograms were received Thursday:
LONDON April cit is reported that the
Russians have pushed forward and occupied
Penjdeh, and that an engagement has taken
place between the Afghan outposts and
Russian advance, in which 500 were killed
LONDON, April g. A dispatch from |
Meshed confirms the report of battle be-
tween the Russian and Afghan outposts
The Afghan camp at Murghaub, on the
Murghaub river has been captured by the
Russians after a brief but Sanguinary bat |
tie. Two hundred Afghans were killed. |
The Russian loss was fifty killed and
wounded. The camp contained large guam
tlty of arms, ammunition, and military
stores, all of which fell into the hands of the
Russians
A later dispatch from Me>hed states that
tho fight between the Russian and Afghan
forces was witnessed by number of British
officers, who viewed the battle as assive
spectators. When these officers saw that
the Afghans were defeated they asked the
Rus ian commander to take them under
his protection, fearing that the Afghans, in
their frenzy over their defeat, would mas
sacre them.
This the Russian officer attempted to
do, but he was thwarted by the Afghans,
who carried the officers of beyond his
reach
The latest dispatches from tho Afghan
frontier state that the fight at Murghauh
was most stubborn one. The battle was
fought in a driving rain-storm, which rem
dered many of the Misunderstanding arms car
ried by both forces inefficient The Afghans
fought with great desperation and bravely
opposed, step 10y step the advance Of the
Russians.
Two companies Of Afghans defended one
position until they were completely annihi-
lated by deadly artillery fire opened on
| them by the Russians. The Afghans
retreated in perfect order after inflicting
| some severe losses The Russians were evil
| IDENTIFY surprised by the stubborn opposi-
ton, and did not follow up their advantage
| being evidently content with the capture of
| the camp.
The British officers who were present dur
ing the fight, are loud in their praises of the
valor displayed by the Afghans. Officers at
once proceeded to tl.s headquarters OF Sir
| Peter Lunsden, the English commissioner,
and made full report of the fight to that
| officer.
| LONDON, April $50 p. ma wild re-
port has just been put in circulation that
| fho 81
! Penjdeh, and after driving the Afghans
| from the place occupied it. The report
cannot be traced TO authentic source, but
several of the newspapers have
| dispatches from Bombay and Calcutta
stating that such report is current at those
places. The report has caused the greatest
CONSERVATION and has greatly intensiGod the
feeling against Russia.
Gladstone'S siothful policy Is again being
roundly denounced, and the feeling is so Bit
ter that it is believed should the reported
capture of Penj leh prove true, nothing but
the resignation of the premier and his col
leagues will Gilay popular indi ynation.
The admiralty lords mst this morn
ing, and consultations were subsequently,
held between officers of the navy and the
war office. orders being telegraphed to all
not to leave port until further orders. The
board are understood to have submitted a
report for the concentration of powerful
naval forces in Turkish AMI Russian waters
1t is stated at the war Office that the Indian
government has reported taking the initia-
tive by ordering the formation of flying
column for immediate service.
Offers are coming from all directions vol.
army circles is greater than has been known
for years.
LONDON, April 9-EvENING.-The day
has been one of unparalleled excitement,
and this evening there is no abatement.
The streets are even moro crowded
than during the day, and the SOLE
topic of discussion is the prob
able action Of the government now that
Russia, fguratively speaking, has thrown
the gauntlet. Nothing has yet tranSpired a,
to the doings of the cabinet Numerous dis
patches have passed between st Petersburg
and London, and the Russian ambassador
has received and answered several com
munications from Mr. Gladstone's Down
ing street Office. 1t is believed that tn,
Russian government is trying to hoodwinl
the English officials into further delay By
/. pretending TO be entirely ignorant OF AM
engagement of moment between the Rus iaI
, and Afghan forces on the frontier. and ask
ing that action be delayed until detaiet
official reports of tie occurrence ara re
ceived.
Up to this hour the reported capture o
Penjdeh has not been confirmed. but not
withstanding this, the belief is general tina
that place has also fallen into Kussial
hands.
All sorts Of wild rumors. with regard 4
the proceedings at Thursdays cabinet meet
ing are current Some are to the effect tina
all negotiations with Russia in regard to tn
Afghan boundary line have been broken of
and that if a satisfactory explanation of thu
affair on the frontier is not received from
St Petersburg within a few hours, til
Russian minister will be handed his pass
, port.
, The British officers reported to have bee
present at the sanguinary battle between tn
Russians and Afghans. are believed to b
members of the Afghan boundary commits
sion under Sir Peter Lumsden, and ar
stated to have boon engaged in their dute:
What Was Said in Par Lament.
A.. D..