Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-16
T.oNpoS Anril TX

| LoNpoN, aPIiI Id.
Military movements in Afghanistan are ex-
ceedingly difficult at present on account of
the almost unprecedented severity of the
weather. Incessant storms of snow and hail
on the mountains and rains in the valleys
have swoolen the rivers into floods. which are
| impossible bv any means of transportation
with which Gen. Lumsden's forces are sup
piled.
| The weather is exceptionally cold and this
tells more severely on British officers and
Indian troops, who are from the south, than
upon the Russians. who come from the north.
The Daily News, in an editorial. this morn
ing, says the situation shows more peaceful
indications in London, but "though the in
tention of Russia are good now, We cannot
assume that they will be carried out. Events
have simplified Ensiand's task. Ifwari is to
be avoided it must be shown that the Afghans
and not the Russians are blamable tor the
recent collision, and also that Gen. Komar-
of s action is no part of the Russian policy
Then there must be no further Russian ad-
vance. If Russia is as anxious for peace rs
England is, peace ought to be secure.
The dispatch from st Petersburg alluded
to by Gladstone yesterday, carries forward
negotiations on the frontier question, which
were interrupted by the Penjdah affair, and
is studiously conclistorv in tone,
| The Standard editurially SAYS: The At
ghans have learned which of their neighbors
is the stronger, and will base their friendship
upon the usual grounds of Afghan morality
The route lies open to Herat. and no more
trouble need be taken about negotiations,
since the sword has settled everything. We
doubt whether the English people will allow
Russia peacefully TO enjoy her i'll gotten
gains.
The Times thinks that Germany has solid
reasons tor wishing to prevent war which
might involve the whole OF Europe, in which
case Germany would be obliged to fight in
order 10 retain what she already possesses,
rather than gain additional power. More
over. the maintsinance of Rnssia's financial
credit is supremely important to the moneyed
interests of Berlin.
In the cabinet council today the Anglo
Russian situation it is said was represented to
be as follows
England and Russia have agreed upon a
basis for the deliniation of the Afghan from
tier subject to satisfactory explanation by
Russia of the recent attack on the Afghans
According to this scheme it is said that Peni-
deb will be ceded to Russia, provided the
Ameer consents.
The departure of the dragons from
Brighton for India, which was fixed for to-
day, has been postponed pending the issue of
negotiations between England and Russia.
1t is believed in official circles that there is
no material change in the Afghan situation.
ne reliable information with reference to the
dispute is expected for some days vet.
The rebound of stocks is chiefly due to the
prevalent belief that England is about to con-
clude an alliance with Turkey, which it is
believed will prove an effectnal damper to
Russian arrogance.
The Post has reason to believe that the
Government has received unsatisfactory dis.
patches from st. Petersburg. Russia insists
on maintaining the positions she has already
occupied, and intimstes, that unless England
holds herself responsible for The acquiescence
of the Ameer in these advances, Gen. Kom-
arof will advance and siege Herat.
The Post also hears that the Afghans at
Penjdeh were surprised by the recent attack
and a ruthless massacre followed
A despatch to the Daily Telegraph from
ConstantinDple saws rbe Shah of Persia
has offered to let England have 80, 600 troops
in the event of war with Russia.
ST. PETERSBURG, April l5.
Count Schawvalof, formerly Russian am
bassador to Great Britain, will start for Lon
don Immediately. Ii is believed he has an
official mission.
ODESSA, April Is.
Orders have been received at the arsenals
and docks ut Ncoaietf and sabastopol to
work night and day to complete three men-of-