The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-04-18
PEACE OR WAR.

THE LATEST PHASE OF THE SITUATION.
LONDON, April l9.--There is now an
almost a unanimous consensus Of opinion
that England has been outwitted by
Russia, But the chances Of peace are just
distinctly improved, and the most COOL
able excuse for further puttering is de-
stroyed. The ground for this belief is
the general conviction that the Cabinet
must regard General Komaroff's dispatch
regarding the battle on the Kushk and its
antecedent man9uvers as being
virtually Russla's reply to Loyd Gran
villes demand for an explanation. The
report Of General Komaroff absorbs at
tentlon in military and political circles.
The imputation that English officers in
stigated the Afghans to advance is scout
ed by the politicians, but the report of
| Captain Yates on this point is anxiously
awaited. Sir Peter Lumsden has already
| described the Afghan movement as an act
of purely defensive strategy, but his
brief dispatch was based up
on the report of his staff officers.
| Captain Yates, and the details of the lat
ter's report are needed to establish the
| facts to the satisfaction of military ex-
| perts. The Cabinet, however, will be
forced to speak without waiting for a de-
tailed report of an already old story from
detailed officer. 1t is expected that
Mr.. Gladstone will make statement in
the House of Commons tomorrow.
The Tories and the bulls believe that
the Premier will say in effect that the
| Afghans provoked and deserved the
thrashing they got This assertion will
| of course be CLOSED with phrases OF
] sympathy and regret 1t may also be
accompanied by the statement that Rus
STA has made some important con-
cessions regarding the southern
limit of the debatable zone,
Then the bulls will have their innings on
the Stock Exchange. 1t is reported that
the bears netted S1,250,000 profits by
last Thursdays panic, and the bulls hope
ty recoup to-day or tomorrow. The eff
feet of General Komaroff's statement has
been weakened by reports received by
way of the Austrian telegraph stations
on the Russian frontier that
|
anoff on the I'd inst.
Russia explains that Komaroff was
obliged to occupy Penjdeh in order to
stop the pillaging OF the district by Tur-
comans, and that the Afghans had threat
ened to resume offensive operations.
Although the peace side of the balance
is slowly rising, the executive depart
ments are relaxing none of the vigol
of their preparations for war. The full
force of officers and artisans at Wool
witch Arsenal has been worked through
out this week, day and night, preparing
heavy sea ordnance. The special
object of yesterdays overwork was the
arming of the chartered transatlantic
vessels, Oregon and America. The pro-
fessional and other critics of the Admir-
laty have renewed their attack, and fine
many chances to carp at the present prep
arations. The latest charge is that there Ii
scarcely a vessel in the Pet Channel fee
that could steam 100 miles at the rate o.
ten knots per hour without disabling hel
machinery. The Admiralty officials re
ply that it Is quite possible that their op
ponents would be unable to traverse
the same distance at five knots
per hour without some % mishap
1t is admitted that Russia has more
naval vessels than England, but the reply
is made that England annually spend:
more on her navy than Russia does oil
hers, the natural corrollary being tina
England's vessels are originally better
and are better maintained than Russia's
KoMARoFF's EXPLANATION.
ST. PETERSBURG, April Is. = Thu
ProreetelStuenni Tiestnek (Governmen
messengeD published yesterday a tele
gram from General Komaroff explainm!
the cause of the battle with the Afghan
on March 30th. On March 25th, this dis
patch says, the Afghans encamped il
force on the, Russian bank OF Kushl
River Wishing to avoid a conaic
Komaroff paid no attention 10 them, ex
cept to keep watch upon their move
ments. Finding themselves unmolested
the Afghans became more aggresslv
as accessions to their number
from time to time arrived, and tinall,
. captured commanding position on tn
nights, driving back the Russian pickets
WIN OCCuplcu ~ auN dN'ohSihS thOi
own picket line. Komarof thereupol
requested the Afghan commander Il
withdraw to the opposite bank of tn
river. He refused to comply with TIL
J request, saying that he wa
| acting entirely upon the advic
, of British officials. A secon
request, couched in the most friendl
, terms, was dispatched, but to this no an
: swer was returned. Komarof then, hop
: ing to intlmldate the .Afghans by an o.
5 Iressive movement, advanced part Q
= mis- army, when the Afghans opened FIR
| on them. The Russians then advanced |
/ orce, and made short work of the Al
Ihans."
4 The Russian press unanimously declar
{ that Komaroft's explanation is sutficier
t eply to England's demand.
!, Work at the Imperial Arsenal is bein
pushed as rapidly as possible, and
e argely augmented force of artisans
# Employed night and day. Lieutenant
# General Abrietchoff, the conquerer {