New-York tribune., 1885-03-16
ON THE AFGHAN FRONTIER.
slR PETER LUMsDEN AT HERAT.

THE CITY BEING FORTIFIED-MOvEMENTs OF RUS.
SLAMS.
TEHERAN, March 15.-It is reported that Sir Peter
Lumsden has arrived at Herat and that the Afghans
arc actively fortifying the city. Small bodies OF
Russians hold the wells and roads between Sarakhs
and the Murghab River There several hundred
Cossacks near Pul-i-Khatun which is the most
southcrIy point nearest. to Herat occupied by
Russians The Russian forces occupying Merv con-
sist Of battalion of infantry. o regiment Of
dragons and somc Cossacks At Askabad there
are about 5000 troops of all arms. One Russian
brigade and convoy Of military stores are en- route
from the Caucasus to Askabad. The Afghans here
believe that an offensive and defensive alliance
between England and Turkey would have tho effect
OF alternating the Turconans from Russian au-
thority.
1t 10 expected that tho present Governor Of
be taken by Ruk-ed-Dooleh, tho ShaRs second
brother.
A letter from Askabad dated February "a. says:
in the outside world arc closely supervised Troops
and stores are going forward daily en- route Ior
Merv. The soldiers are previously blessed py
priests. who tell them to fight vaantly against the
Cars enemies. Civilians and military men openly
discuss the likelihood of declaration of war against
England; Great excitement prevails here II Is
ordered to Merv. Work on the railway from XIII.
Arvat to Merv is being pushed with the UTMOST
ral1Hlty treat dltDculty IL encOunteLeu " ihuuc-
ing workmen to go tn Merry, as they fear that they
will be killed by ;he British OF by Afghans.
letter from Sarakhs, dated March = states tnat
five Lattaions Russian infantry and three batter
les OF artillery route from B0k1ara 10 MerV'
and that small party of COssacks recently at
tempted to traverse the ZuGkar deie. but was
prevented by force
LONDON. March 16.-M. Lcssar. the Russian
member Of tho Afghan Boundary Commission,
IN an interview yesterday, stated that
Russia desired frontier boundary line starting Mt
h.. I..tI. n, than. ~
east to Chamanir Bald on the kmshk River, thence
northeast, leaving Baa Murghab to the
Aighans, to n poini few miles south OF PenldeD,
aud thence in q direct line northeast to khoja
Saeh. Russia said, had never admitted
that tho frontier line due east from Sarakhs 10
Khcja saleh was the correct one: The hussians
had only advanced IN order TO protect tho
Iurcomans who were quitting their towns In fear
of an Afghan invasion. England had obtained
information in regard to tho Russian move
inents long before no knew Of them, because
Sir Peter Lumsden was nearer TO tele-
graph station NJ. Lessar declared that
Russia had no designs upon llerat, which
terms of the treaty of 1878, He hoped
TO SEQ n pacific solution OF the difficulty
aud had no fear OF a collision between
the Russians aud Afghans even should the advance
forces of the Russians make an attack such
q Misunderstanding as the present one, NJ Lossar
thonghi ought not TO form "A odsas teh and would
not unless one country greatly desired war. lie
centrating IN the Caucasus aud that when the pre-,
lIminary negotiations were completed uehera
Romanoir would be ready 10 join Sir Peter Lumsden
In fixing the frontier.
NJ. Lessar cane to London TO assist Baron dc
Staai. and IL likely TO be recalled at any time.