Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-04-17
EaIland's War Responsibilities.

The Pail Mall Gazette, the leading or
gan of Liberal opinion in Englnnd, has
told what it calls the absolute truh about
the trouble on the Afghan frontier, and
it has issued a bold challenge 10 the
Ministry, to ali the organs which are
clamering for war, and to allohe eminent
authorities on Central Asian questions to
dispute lis statements. In taking its
position, which it need not be- said will
be very unpopular with the En- glish
peoele, it lays down the fundamental
truth that, after two parties have agreed
to refer a disputed territory to the arbi-
tration ofa Joint commission, the occu-
patton of any paft'of that territory pend
ing the arbitration is an act of bad faith
and renders the party taking that step
responsible for whatever may fellow.
Upon this basis, which is legally and
and equitably sound, the Gazette goes on
to show that England is the resposible
party. In May, 1884, England and
Russia agreed to refer the settlement of
the Afghan frontier to joint commis-
sion. The place most disputed was
Penjdeh, aud Sir Peter Lum sden, the
English Commissioner, was specially
instructed to- determine whether it was
Afghan, and ifit was not to give it over
to Russia. 1t was very we'll known that
at that time that it was not inhabited by
Atghans, bat by Sarakh Turcomans, and
that the Turcomans had been there for
scores of years. 1t WAS known that
there were no Afghans or Russians in
the place, and pending the settlement Of
the frontier question no Atghans or Rus
slams could go there without acting in
bad faith. In the very next month gune),
and before the final arrangements for the
commissions work were made, the
Afghans advanced their forces from Bala
Aurghah, which is on Afghan soil, and
occupied Penjdah, and they held it until
the Both Of last month, when the Rus
slams drove them out Of it, and then, from
all accounts, returned to their original
positions on the other side of the river.
The Russians protested against this oc.
cupatisu, but England took no notice of
the protest. Shs did not recall the A f.
ghaus, whereupon the Russians advanced
their forces furthur south aud occupied
Pali-Khatum, which is easily defensible
against any advance from Penjdeh,
and held back their Commissioner until
some arrangement could bs made to stop
this occupation, Of disputed territory
pending the decision of the mmission.
The news which came from St. Peters
burg Friday last makes the London Pail
Mall !Gazette's position that England is
in the wrong still stronger, for it shows
that the Afghans not only occupied Pen
jdeh, bat that they were encouraged by
Sir Peter IAumsden himself to advance on
Pull Khisti, which both the Afghans and
the British officials knew was part of
Russia or at ieas, disputed territory, As
to the recent collision, Gen. Kamorof
has already explained that the Afghan
outposts attacked the Russian pickets
crossing the river to do it, and that in
retaliation he drove them back, defeated
them, captured their artillery and equip
age, and then returned within his lines.
Meanwhile Russia seems to be keeping
her temper well IN haud and Is in no
danger Of losing her head. Her reply to-
Mr. Gladstone that she will ask an ex-
plt nation of her General Is q fair sample
ether cool diplomacy TO send the
request to Gen, Kamorof and get 4 reply
will take over tWo weeks. Il viii be.t
remembered that The, news q tho bsttie
whom itarriyed Wa two isesks old. BY /
thir move sho aniDs that much more OF
lime, and thsse need be no doubt that
she will improve il. II it is to be war,
she win bs better prepared. II it is tobe
peace. sic viii have csssummated Wh..
she aimed to aehieye.