Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-04-22

apart from military reasons. In regard to
Interior steps in the Soudan, the Govern
ment reserved entire liberty of action, sub
iect to the judgment of Parliament
SIGNIFICANCE OF GLADsToNE's WORDS.
LONDON, April 21st-The lobby was ex-
cited over Gladstone's statement III the
House of Commons to-day, which is con-
sidered to amount to an evacuation OF the
Soudan. His repeated references to the
necessity of holding the troops IN the
Soudan in readiness for service wherever
wanted indicate that England Is on the
verge of war. Such words by response
BILE Minister, it is thought, VIII soon make
peace impossible. 1t is believed that Sir
Peter Iumsdens dispatch is certain to in
fluence the British war feeling to an alarm
ing degree Despite the fact that the credit
of $50, 900, 900 means an increase of SIX
pence in the income tax, it is undoubtedly
true that the bulk of the Conservative and
Liberal members OF the House OF Com
mons will vote for the credit cheerfully.
RUSSIA vrILATING TREATY srIPULATIoNs.
LONDON, April 21st.-In defiance OF her
treaty stipulations with England, Turkey
and other powers, Russia is strongly tortl-
flying Batoum, on the eastern coast OF the
Black Sea. That point is now Hooded with
guns and munitions of war, and large
corps of infantry and cavalry guards the
railway from Poti. on the coast, TO Iltils,
the capital of Transcaucasia. This railway
is of great value in transporting troops
from the Black Sea to the Caspian. on the
way from European Russia to Afghanlstan.
SIR PETER LUMsDEN's DISPATCH IN FULL.
LONDON, April 22d-A. M.-Sir Peter
Lumsden's dispatch, in reply to the Gov
ernment's inquiry as to the correctness of
General Komaroff's report OF the encounter
between the Russians and Afghans on the
Kushk river, is dated at Tiapul April 18th,
and is addressed to Earl Granville The
dispatch reads:
General Komaroff's account of the attack on
maroff says ION the 18th of March one de-
tachment approached fash kepri on our bank
of the Kushk river.
Reply: fash Kepri is Murti for Pull khisti.
General Komaroffs claim to either bank of the
Kushk is untenable. The left bank has always
been held by the Afghans, and was never
subject to Russian occupation. ON the
10Th Of February the RUSSIANS Sy Is, l0ca5ed
n, Kill, Tepe Mound, one mile ncth of Pul
Khisti and about mile from the nearest point
on the Kushk river and the kushkS junction
with the Murghab river. This had always re-
manned the extreme limit of the Russian adj
vance within their line of videttes. The Rus
sian cavalry detachment alluded to did advance
against Pul-i-khisti on March 10Th, but they
retired before reaching there, when warned by
the Afghan commander, as they had been on
February both.
Secondly, General KOmaToff states that near
the bridge he found an intrenchment occupied
by the Afghans. l reply that this position was
occupied by the Afghans previous to General
Komaroffs advance, and TO the agreement OF
March 18th.
Thirdly, General Kamaroff says: SIN orderto
avoid conflict, | placed my troops five yersts
from the Afghan position" In reply to this,
can only refer to the main body, as the Russian
troops were i'll hizil Tepe, one mile from the AT
CHAN position, and the Russian videttes were
considerably III advance OF that point.
Fourthly, General komaroti says When
the Afghans Were convinced tiat we Laa 10 III
tentiou of attacking them, they began to come
daily nearer to our camp" reply that far from
the Afghans being convinced OF General koma-
rolls innocent Intentions they continued lrrl-
tGting daily i'll attempts to promote h0stlltles.
which convinced the Atghans that the Russians
were determined to provoke conflict. This IN
duced the Atshans TO what appeared military
necessity in extending their defensive position.
Filthy, General kOmarof states that on the
9th OF March Afghans were sent against com
pany which was charged with covering recon-
Nuisance of three companies, with cannons ana
me cavalry. In reply 10 this say recon-
noissance in force itself meant hostile inten-
tons. The Russian company meant 80
men, more than equivalent TO the three
Afghan companies, winch as55ETeSHltu 11tii
On the 9th two bodies of Russians simultane-
ously advanced. Colonel AlikhanOff, with cav
airy pushed past Pull Khishi. The Russian
infantry occupied the right flank OF the Afghan
Colonel Alkhanoff only retired when in
tercepted by the Afghans The cav
airy was four miles in rb the p.r rear
infantry only retired when the Afghan com
mander drew other companies, warning the
Russian officer that if he advanced further he
of staff at an interview had on the 10Th, called
Colonel Alkahancff sadvance merely pleasure
trip but he wa informed that the Afghan com
mander viewed il in the most serious hight.
Sixthly. General Komarof states that the ar
rogance and audacity of the Atghans increased
by degrees. l reply that it may have been so,
but if so, il was entirely caused by Russian ac-
ton The AfghanS did their utmost to avoid a
collision 1t is solely owing to theii patience
and forbearance during two months OF lnccssant
irritation that peace was preserved so long. The
Afghan cOmmanders courteous reply OF March
29th to General komarots ultlmatum proves
that his wish TO the last was 10 avoid conflict.
Seventhly, General KomarofPsays that on the
18th the Afghaus occupied height command
ing the left flank of the Russian camp and
began 10 throw UP intreuchmentS there to
establish q post of cavalry behind the Russian
lines and placed picket within gunshot dis
lance. reply that the Afghan commander did
on the 18th after the hostile reconnaissance on
the 9th place post of observation on the hills
on the right hank OF the Murghab river, for the
advance but the post was Withdrawn the Ee%t
clay.
Eighthly. General KomaroG says that on the
29th he sent to the Afghan commander an ener-
gctic summons. etc, and received an answer
that, by the advice of the English. he the
Afghan commandrr) refused to retire across the
Kushk river. In reply 10 this: may state that
The fact itself is reported to me 70 be
commanders reply is there any such
statement. On the contrary the wording is
dis.inutiy this: q" have duly received your let
ter rcgarding the withdrawal of certain Dickets
As had received orders from the Government
at Herat to consult Captain Yates who was de
puted to PeujGch by sir Peter LUmsden in such
matters, / showed him your letter. Cap
tain Yates afterwards had an interview with
Colonel IadriChcwslti and informed me of the
conversation which enSued Re it known to ye
that | must Loyalty obey the orders | have re-
ceiyed from his HighuesS, the Ameer. | can in
no wise act contrary TO the orders of my sOver-
eign OF course. in matters OF detail, such as
alterations the position OF advanced pickets
and videteS, am prepared to arrange with
view TO avoid any risk of cOuctiit.'
Niuthly, General komarotf says he again ad-
dressed Il private letter. couchCd in friendly
terms In reply say that the letter in question
was never seen By an officer of the Commission,
but Captain DelaShoe was told a letter had been
received four hours before the Russian attack
on the 50th. l have now called upon Sepch
Salas for a copy OF the second letter.
Tenthly General kOmaroh states: "On the
30th. TO support my demands, ! marched with
my detachment against the Afghan position,
counting still on a pacific result, but artillery
me to accept the combat In reply
say that the Russians advanced to
attack the Afghan position, and OF course the Al
ghauS were obliged to defend themselves Ger
tainiy the engagement was not commenced by
artillery fire, as General kOmaroff states. as in
lautry fire was heard, continuing several min
utCs before the first gun
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HERE AND THERE.