The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-16
ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.
A Battle Precipitated and War Thought
to be Inevltable-Gladstone on the Situ-


a Battle PrecfpitaCed ana war ThouSnt
to be Inevltable-GIadstone on the situ-
alton.
LONDON, April 9.-The news of the en-
gagement on the Afghan frontier between
the Russians and Afghans has caused great
excitement here. The people are incensed
at the Russian duplicity. pretending to be
anxious for peace, while the object was
merely for the purpose of gaining time.
t'he fight on the frontier is generally viewed
SIS the first step by Russia in the long-cOn-
templated struggle for supremacy in
Asia, and that a bloody and desper-
ate war between her and England
IS inevitable. The feeling in financial and
commercial circles is panicky. In the Stock
Exchange the gravity of the situation is re-
flected by heavy falling eff in conSolS and
Russian bonds. The former have de-
clined fully two per cent since yesterday,
while Russian bonds have declined nearly
ten per cent. The Egyptian securities are
down four per cent. The whole market
is off. There are fears of panic.
NOT SURPRISED.
LONDON, April 9.-Baron de Staal, the
Russian Ambassador at London, was called
on by Central Nelps reporter this morn
ing. He appeared not to be surprised by
the news of the outbreak on the Afghan
frontier. He said he only wondered it had
been so long deferred. THE affair is seri-
OuS," said the ambassador, "but L
fear the worst is not known and that the
fighting has been on larger scale than the
dispatches Indicated De Staal would not
venture on an opinion as to the result. He
refused to talk on the subject until he had
received official advices from his Govern
ment concerning the affair.
WILL DECLARE WAR.
LONDON, April 9.-On receipt of the tele-
grams announcing the outbreak of hOstili-
ties between the Russians and AfghanS, a
hurried consultation at headquarters of the
staff took place. The wires between Lon
don and India were instantly cleared for
dispatches between the Indian Office and
the Governor General OF India. The Secre-
tary of State for India wired for Il contirma-
ton and full information. The reply is
mOmentarily expected. Ii the report tele-
graphed from Meshed is true, it is believed
that a formal declaration of war will be
made.
CONFIRMED.
LONDON. April "a dispatch from
Meshed confirms the report that in battle
between the Russian and Afghan OutpoStS,
the Afghan camp at Murghaub on the
MurghaHb River was captured by the Rus
slams after a brief but sanguinary battle.
Five hundred AfghanS were killed. The
Russian loss is fifty killed AID wounded.
The camp contained a large quantity of
arms, ammunition and military stores, all of
which fell in the hands of the Russians.
A STUBBORN BATTLE.
LONDON, April 9.-LateSt dispatches
from the Afghan frontier state that the
fight at Murghanb was most stubborn bat
tie. 1t was fought i'll a driving rainstOrm
which rendered the arms carried by
both inefficient. The Afghans fought
with desperation. They brave.y opposed
step by step the advance of the Russians.
Two companies of AfghanS defended one
position until they were completely ami
hilated by the deadly artillery fire opened
on them by the Russians. The
inflicting severe losses the Russians
were evidently surprised by the stubborn
resistance. They did not follow up the adj
vantage. being evidently content with the
capture OF the camp. The British officers
present during the fight are loud in praises
Of the valor displayed by the Afghan Off
GERS and at once proceeded to the head
quarters of Sir Peter Lumsden, English
Commissioner, and made a full report of the
fight.
AFGHANs TIE AGGREssORs.
LONDON, April 9.-LesSar, the special
envoy of the Car, was called upon. and
viewed the news as serious. He regretted
that conflict should occur at this time.
Matters" said he, with regard to
the Afghan frontier were progressing
nicely. There was a fair prospect of a
peaceful adjustment of all disputes. But
now / can only hope for enc. The Afghans
must undoubtedly have been the aggressOrs.
| have the best authority for knowing
that the Russian commander had strict
instructions to keep the peace.