The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-17
Mr.. Gladstone lntimates that No Such De-
mand Has Been Made, and Russian Agent
Says Negotiations Are Proceeding.
British Papers Express Doubts of the
Loyalty of Afghanistan's Ameer.
Impression that Russia Is Seeking to Gain
Time in Order to Complete Preparations
for Seizing Herat-Cable Notes.
RUssIA,s ALLEGED DEMAND.
Conflicting Statements as to a Cession OF
Penjdeh-Misc cellaneous War Talk.


Conflicting Statements as to a Cession of
Penjdeh-Miscell cellaneous War Talk.
LONDON, April 16-The Telegraph publishes
a dispatch from Vienna, which states that De
Giers has telegraphed Baron De Staal, at Lon
don, as follows: II am charged by the Cars
personal command to request you to inform the
English government that in the Cars opinion.
war would be most deplorable to both countries;
also, that the Car firmly hopes that prompt
and simple arrangement of the present difficult
ties may be established" Staal telegraphed De
Giers in reply that ''the English government
gladly accepted his communication.
The ST. Petersburg Official Messenger pub
fishes. this morning, a telegram from General
Komaroff, which states that the remnant of the
Afghan detachment that was defeated in the
Kush river engagement fed to Herat. General
Komaroff also states that the losses of the AT
ghans largely exceeded the first estimate. Many
perished as they struggled through the rough
country on their retreat to Herat The weather
was intensely cold. and snow had been falling
for twelve days. The Afghans have burned
their camp at Bolamurghab, which Sir Peter
Lumsden abandoned. A provisional government
is being organized at PenJdeh to prevent an
archy. A Russian detachment remains at
Dashkepri. The dispatch concludes with the
statement that there is no necessity for a for
ward movement at present.
The Novoe vremya of St Petersburg. says that
the Afghans on the Kushk were discontented at
the conference between Lord Dufferin and the
Ameer at Rawul Pindee. They became fearful
~ in ipvp pnfA E.
CHAN territory by the British armies. In conse-
quence of this after the defeat of March 80, they
openly revolted against the Ameer's authority.
The impression at Varna is that Russia is
seeking to gain time only to complete prepara-
tions to march on to Herat. and to purchase in
America few more Alabamas. Your CORE
spondent is assured by high Turkish military
authority that Russia has a well-made roadway
between Vladikofkas, the terminus Of the north
Caucasus railway, and Tiflis. The Black sea is
thus not necessarily exposed to attack by hos
tile feet Three ships of the Russian feet, re-
Gently, while passing down, were ordered to
return to Odessa, which is thought to indicate
that Russia is probably expecting that the at
tack on Afghanistan will be followed by instant
war; but subsequent instructions from the Rus
OAAiSoooJ
outward voyage to Vladivostok. The Armenians
are getting excited over the prospect of an Anglo
Russian invasion, for in the Caucasus the Ar
menans hate the Russians and are full of hope
for their deliverance by the formation of some
sort of autonomy under Turkish protection.
There is no question among the Turks, notwith-
standing Mr. Gladstones GOODNESS in the last
war, that in the event of new war; Turkey
would become an ally of England.
THE PROPOSED CEssIoN OF PENJDEH.
NJ Lessar, special envoy of Russia, in an in
terview to-day said that the arrangements for
the cesson of Penjdeh to Russia had not yet
been completed, but that the negotiations
proceeding favorably. The Ameer, he thought,
would offer no objection to the cession of Penj
deh 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.
With reference to the report chat the govern
ment would cede Penjdeh to Russia, the Stand
ard says: I'VE cannot bring ourselves to be-
lieve that the government, even to preserve
peace, will enter into any arrangement leaving
Russia in possession of territory unlawfuly ac-
quired. adding fresh humiliation to the long list
that England has already endured"
Earl Granville, British Minister for Foreign
Affairs, being asked this afternoon if it was true,
as reported, that the government have agreed to
give up Penjdeh to the Russians. said: ~ must
really decline to answer all these unauthorized
and always inaccurate reports"
Mr.. Gladstone, in the House of Commons this
afternoon. in answering interrogatories, said the
government had no reason whatever to believe
any such demand had been made as that reported
of Russia's demand for Penjdeh.
The Right Hon. Thomas Bourke, ex-Under
Foreign Secretary, and present Conservative
member for Lynn Regis, asked whether Baron
De Staal the Russian ambassador at London,
had suggested as part of the terms of an 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 assurances have been given or
received by either government regarding any
particular points on the Afghan frontier"
Mr. Gladstone, in answer to other questions
concerning the Afghan difficulty, denied the
story published in the Daily Telegraph to-day,
to the effect that the Car had officially ex-
pressed the opinion that war would be deplor-
able to both countries, and the hope that
prompt and simple arrangement would be estab-
lshed
Mr. Gladstone added that there had been
friendly conversations Ilaughterl between Earl
Granville and the Russian ambassador and others
competent to assist but no assurances had been
given or received regarding points on the dis
puted frontier.
Mr.. Gladstone had no doubt that Russia had
established an administration at Penjdeh."
lLaughterl In answer to question by Mr..