, 1885-05-06
THE WAR PROBLEM
Nothing of Importance in Re
gard to This Matter.
A Scarcity of News in Regard
to the Situation.
The Difficulty Will Probably be
Settled Peacefully.
Gen. bumsden Called Home.

LONDON, May Sin the house Of
commons this afternoon, Mr.. Gladstone.
in answer TO questions, suited that Sir
Peter Lumsden, British Afghan boun-
dairy commissioner, and Col. Stewart had
been ordered to come home immediately.
During the evening session Mr.. Glad
stone was asked how it was that Lums-
den was recalled from the Afghan from
tier by England, aud Gen. KomaroF was
retained there by Russia, and il these
facts would not indicate a confession of
wrong on England's side in the Afghan
dispute. Mr.. Gladstone stated there
was no relation between the cases of Sir
Peter Lumsden and Gen. Komaroff. The
latter was not recalled because he was the
commander Of the Russiah forces, while
Sir Peter had been employed in a purely
civil capacity. Lumsdsn, the premier
added, had not been recalled, but had
been consulted upon the subject, and in
conformity with his own views had been
requested to return to England. As it
has been decided to carry on in London
future communications with Russia
about the main points in the Afghan
frontier ine. Both Sir Peter Lumsden
and Col. Stuart had been directed to come
to London.
Lord Granville. in the house of lords
this afternoon, stated on behalf of the
government that he could conceive of
nothing better than referring the dispute
Of the Penjdeh incident. involving the
honor of two officers, to the decision of a
third party in whom each side had per
feet confidence. In this way the whole
matter could be closed honorably for both
sides.
The Globe of to-day says the so-called
adjustment Of the Anglo-R Russian dispute
is a poor shift, which amounts to practi.
cilly nothing more than a truce for avert
ing a collision, and which will result in a
transfer of the difficulty from Gladstone's
shoulders to those of his SUCCESSORS.
1t is officially explained that Sir Peter
Lumsden has not been recalled from
Afghanistan in a diplomatic sense of the
term, but summoned to London to advise
the government upon technical matters
regarding the delimitation of the frontier.
The Russian ambassador and Earl
Granville had a long conference ta-day on
the question Of what guarantees should
be provided against a Russian advance on
Herat. 1t is reported that Granville pro-
posed making a treaty pledging Russia
against further advance. and recognizing
the English protectoratc in Afghanistan.
Some uncertainty remains in diplomatic
circles as to the maintenance of peace.
Naval and military work will continue
until both branches are fully supplied with
stores.
Gladstone, at the request of the Con
servatives, has consented to take the next
stage of the vote of credit on Monday,
instead of Thursday. The Conservatives
hope meantime that further light will be
thrown on the Afghan question.
Col. Ridgeway will take command Of
the British boundary commission in place
Of Sir Peter Lumsden. Capt Yates will
be second in command
The latest official Intelligence is that
two British gunboats are at Port Hami1-
ton for the purpose Of watching British
interests and anticipating any attempt of
a foreign power to occupy the island.
The daily Tstegraph's Tirhul CORE
spondent says: ''Thc best informed AZ
ghans aud Persians, as well as the inhabi-
tants Of Herat and Candahar, are fearing
Russian aggression, and court British oc-
cupation. The Afghan loss at Penjdeh
was 237.' The Telegraph urges the
Conservatives to agree to the vote of
credit. 1t says that the danger is not yet
past.