The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-15
The Ameer Consents to the Passage of British
Troops Through Afghanistan, and Both
Nations Continue War Preparations.
ALI the News Points to the Sword as the
Only Arbiter of the Dispute.
The Shah of Persia Grants Russia Permission
to Move Troops Through His Territory
Notes by the Cable.
ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.
All the News Indicates that the Quarrel Can
Only Be Settled by War.


Granville Fehmi Pasha said the Porte was un-
willing to enter into al active alliance with
either England or Russia. 1t is reported that
Earl Granville protested against the adoption of
a neutral policy, implying the closing of the
Bosphorus to the English menof-war.
The government has received a telegram from
the English agent at Meshed, stating that it is
rumorei among the Afghans that the Russians
at Maruchak.
The Standard complains of the delay caused
by communicating with Sir Peter Lumsden. The
government, it says, ought to depend upon its
own accounts of events, and to ignore the
accounts of the Russian officers which sure
to contradict the English accounts. While we
are collecting evidence, Russia is pushing her
troops forward. Unhappily there is nothing
in the news from Russia to indicate that
collision will be avoided
Lord Dufferin has informed the government
that the Ameer consents to the passage of Brit
ish troops through Afghanistan.
The Daily News in an editorial this morning,
says: IF General Komaroffs report were the
only answer Russia would give, there would be
little need Of the formality of declaration of
war. The guns would go off themselves. We
have rather to fear bland, evasive answers"
The Cabinet was in session this afternoon an
hour and twenty minutes. Immediately after
its adjournment Earl Granville, Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs had prolonged inter
view with Musurus Pasha, the Turkish embas-
sador, and Fehmi Pasha, special envoy from
Turkey.
Earl Granville, Foreign Minister stated this
Oft iyf f6aT of A. 49,
ernment were still engaged in making inquiry
into the reported advance of the Russians to the
Murghab river. Referring to the Queens mes
sage calling out the reserves, Earl Granvillesaid
that whatever measures might be taken, they
would entirely meet the requirements Of the In
dian government.
Mr.. Gladstone, in the House of Commons, this
afternoon, stated that word had been received
from Sir Peter Lumsden which showed that
there confirmation of the report that the
Russians had advanced to the Murghab river af-
ter tho battle of Penjdeh. Continuing. Mr..
Gladstone said that the result of the govern
ment's communications with Russia concerning
its reported advance amounted to q renewal Of
Russia's assurances that no such vance will
occur if the issue of contrary instructions can
prevent
Sir Peter Lumsden's reply to General Koma-
offs report is expected in London on the 23d
inst General Komaroffs reply to M. De Giers's
request for further explanation of the affair of
March 80, which request was made at the in
stance of the British government, yesterday, is
| expected to arrive on the 25th inst.
At a parade of $50 of the Gloucester militia,
to-day, the recruits were invited to join the reg
ular army and 148 out of the 25O responded to
the invitation.
The government has decided to purchase four
more steamers similar to the America, and to
equip them as armed cruisers.
The number of British men of-war now being
prepared for service is great that it is believed
that active officers cannot be found for all of
them, and that it will be necessary to resort to
the retired list.
Gibraltar and other British stronghods are to
be put in complete state of defense. Additional
supplies of torpedoes, of the latest approved pat
tern, being forwarded to all the naval
stations. both at home and abroad.
The British Foreign Office has sent directions
to the British Minister at Teheran to organize a
courier service to fill up gaps in the telegraph
lines by which communication is had with Sir
Peter Lumsden.
The latest reports from Meshed explain the
Russian advance on the Murghab river as
Cossack reconnaissance toward Mauracks to OBJ
tain information regarding the Afghan positions.
The Cossacks, according to these reports, after
ward returned to Pul-i-Khisti
Sir Lepel Griffin has gone on a special mission
to the greater native princes of India to arrange
for of Of Ind; nd
central Asia.
The Ameer of Afghanistan, after holding
durbar, will send envoys to Bokhara, Samar-
cand and other centers in Asiatc Russia to offer
the natives English aid, money and arms against
Russia.
The Teheran Gazette states that the Shah has
| consented to the marching of Russian troops
across Persian territory, to reinforce the army
now on the Afghan frontier.
The Russian Grand Duke Vladimir has been
ordered to Archangel to review the troops and
| feet congregated at that point There is news
from Russian Poland to the effect that the Rus
sian police are searching all the chateaus and
castles in Padolia and the Ukraine for arms seiz-
ing all they find, unless the possessors hold a
special license from them. This is attributed to
fear of Polish uprising in the event of war
between England and Russia.
A special dispatch from Berlin to tho Paris
Journal des Debats says that England and Rus
sia have not sought the good Offices of Germany
as mediator in the Afghan difficulty, and
Germany has not offered to act in this capacity
A dispatch from Trapul, dated April 8, says:
''The Afghans estimate their casualties in the
fight at Penjdeh at 700. 1t is generally believed,
however. that CONSERVATION caused them to