Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-06-07
Of the Amesr of Afghanistan Ru-
mored in Persia.
A Russian Newspaper Dispatch
Containing
The Alarming News of Abdurrah-
mans Murder.
His Successor---F0rsign News in
General.

LONDON, June GA st. Petersburg dis
patch says the Novosti newspaper announces
that it has been privately informed from the
Caucasus that the Ameer of Afghanistan,
Abdurrahman, had been murdered by his
suite. 1t is said that the murder took place
in Persia, where the Ameer was at the time
travelling, and that Ayoub Khan, the de-
posed Ameer, will be his successor. The
report causes much excitement in st. Peters
burg.
Another cable says: Dispatches received
here from Bombay and Calcutta state that
it is currently reported in both those cities,
that the Ameer of Afghanistaa had been
asssssinsted by some of the members of his
suite while travelling in Persia. These dis
patches have caused decided sensation
here, and the Government has telegraphed
Its official in Afghanistan to ascertain at
once whether there is truth in the report.
A Russian sympathizier His Successor.
If the rumor is corrobborated, the fact is
very significant and may reopen the whole
Afghan problem, tor if Ayoub Khan is
made Ameer, the ruler of Afghsnistan will
favor Russia. Abdurrahmsn Khan, whose
assassination is rumored, was born in 1880
He was the eldest son of AfZul Khan, and
is thus a grandson OF Dost Mohammed,
who ruled Afghsnistan uutil his death in
1868, and nephew to the late Shere
Ali, who was deposed and
expelled by the British invasion
OF 1879, and who died soon afterwards in
exile. When Shere Ali was recognized by
the English, Abdurrahman, who had mar.
ried a daughter OF the ex-Chiet of Baiak-
shan, took refuge in those countries north
of Afghanistan beyond the Oxus, which
had then not been subjected to Russian
sway, and FIVE years struggle for the
Afghan throne ensued between him and
Shere Ali. the forces Of the latter being
led BY his son Ayoub Khan. His mother,
wife and sister had been seized by Yskoob
ard were detained for years as prisoners at
Candahar.
Abdurrahman's Defeat.
The struggle terminated in the last days
of 1858 in the utter rout of Abdurrahmau,
who fed with his uncle Aim towards Box
hara, the latter soon after dying near
Meshed. From Bokhara the defeated Prince
wrote TO General Kaufman, requesting
rmission TO reside within Russian terri
tory. Abdurrshman was accorded friend
ly reception, but all his requests for assist
arce either in arms, men, or moral support
for the purpose of making war afresh in
Afghanistan were rejected. Instead OF
complying with these demands, the Russian
government allotted him a pension of $4,000
roubles year The Russians do not seem
even TO have troubled themselves greatly to
use him at that time or even 10 concilia:e
him by any little attentions. The CORE
spondence on Central Asia presented to
Parliament in 1873, showed that be had
been decidedly discouraged, not to say
snubbed, when, in the words OF NJ. West
mauns dispatch, he attempted Ito persuade
General Kaufman that it would not only
be for the interests of Russia, but that it was
absolutely indispensable to secure her
against the hostility of Eugland, that he
should he assisted to conquer the throne Of
Cabul." The Pretender, therefore, kept up
bis correspondence with Atghanistsn, aud
increased by sedulons cultivation his inau
srce in Turkestan, from Balkh to Badak.
shan.
Proclaimed Ameer.
Thus matters rested until February, 1890,
when the stormy condition of Afghan af.
t.irs seemed to offsr the Pretenjer q
chance. He managed to reach Bokhars
where he was granted an escort OF cavalry
and was next heard of marching towarj,
Herat and distributing proclamations to the
AfghaEs promising speedily to tree Afghan
stan from foreign intruders When, however
the English showed signs ofhailing his caI-
didature with favor, he sent on letters that,
though at first vague, soon became cordis
and at last even elusive. By the advice OF
the British political agents many Of the Sir
dars of the National (Ayoub Khan's) pa
~ accepted Abdurrahmau as Ameer and
oined him at Kharika; he was afterwards
formally recognized as a ruler Of Afghan
sran, aud was formally proclaimed as such
~ u solemn "darbar," on July q of the
same Year. By the Eughsh Commander,
General Stewart. This installation, how
ever, did not end the matter, for Ayoub
Khan did not abandon his own claim TO the
,broue but fought the British al Candahar
on July 2S, and almost annihilated Gen.
Burrows brigade Notwithstandug this
defeat, the new administration in Engand
Mr. Gladstone had succeeded LORD Bea-
consfeld as Premier in April preceding
determined 10 abandon the new Ameer 10
his own devices, and the British forces az
ccrdiuglY Withdrew from Cebul about the
middle of August
Arrest of Ayoub Khan.
Ayoub Khan subsidized and was pensioned
at leheran. During 'he present imbrogio
be attempted 20 escape from Persia. He
was placed under arrest. His sympathies
are with Russia. and be will accep: Russian
aid to replace him On the throne if the op.
poEtuuity offers.
LATER The reported assassination OF
the Ameer in Persia by members of his
sui'e remains UncoDfrmed Enquiry at
the Foreign office elici,s the fact that the
govern ment bss not received anything
which would in any manner point to such
an occurrence.
Slapped n French Lieutenant's Face.
TUSIS, June 6-The European cOmmuni
" here has been thrown into excitement by
q sensational incident that may lead to polit.
ical complications. On Tuesday evening an
Italian slapped the face of Lieutenant Of
Chasseurs as they were going out of the
thester, where an Italian opera bolfe com
psny had evoked Kisses from the French
portion of the audience BY innueudoes cal
cUlated to wound their patriotic sensibiGties.
Tire Italian was arrested aud condemned to
six days imprisonment. General Boulsn
ger, dsshing but, perhaps, somewhat hot
hes ded young officer, took offsnse at tha
hghtness Of the sentence and com olsiued of
the veTdic, to the Minister of War He
also decided to punish the officer whose face
had been slapped in case the inquiry should
show that he might have made use Of his
sword Gen. Boalanger then wrote an or
DER of the day commanding all officers in
future, on the least provocstion from Jews of
Italians. to draw their swords. since the