Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-21
ASIA'SFATE ALL In DOUBT
EUROPE FULL OF CONFLICTING
WAR RUMORS.

The Afghans Opposed to British Entry
into the ory-AbdurrRhman Will
ing to Concede Pendjeh if the Russians
win Withdraw from ZulhCar Pass
The Credit to be Asked To-day.
LONDON, April 20.-A continuous in
terchange of dispatches has been kept up
since Saturday between Earl Granville,
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
and Nj. de Giers, the Russian Foreign
Minister. The indications are again
more warlike. The breach between Rus
sia and England is widening, and the
possibility of an amicable settlement is
considered more remote than at any time
during the past few days. 1t is, there
fore, significant that all the members Of
the Cabinet remained il London over
Sunday.
1t is stated in Liberal circles that ne
gotiations regarding the frontier question
have assumed a less favorable aspect,
owing to a revival by Russia Of questions
which had been regarded as finally set
tied. The Standard says that despite the
apparent peaceful settlement of the ne
gotiatlons there are indications sufficient
to warn reasonable men against the as
sumption that the storm has passed.
There is no abatement of Russia's ardOr
in preparing for war, and The eXultatiOn
of the MuscOvite papers in reminding the
British that their threats are futile sug-
gest that their statesmen may attempt to
push their advantage beyond limits which
Premier Gladstone's Cabinet even can
tolerate.
The Times says that hopes of peace are
not founded on the importation of any
new element into England's treating with
Russia. 1t is simply known that in the
Cabinet "a cold fit has succeeded the hOt.N
owe do not learn" says the Times, ''that
any definite proposals Offering new ground
for an agreement have been presented or
accepted by either side, therefore it would
be madness for the government to sus-
pend its activity in preparing for war"
The Nepaulese Government is drilling
10000 Go0rkhas in anticipation Of the
Indian Governments acceptance of their
offer of assistance.
1t is rumored among Berlin diplomatists
that Sir Lumsden is soon TO be recalled.
The Khan of Bokhara has written to
the Amer, who is his son.in-law, advis-
ing him against war with Russia.
STRENGTH OF THE BRITISH ARMY.
The Blue Book puts the effective
strength Of the British regular army at
1SSOO0 men; that of the reserves at A 900
men, that of the militia at 125,000 men
and that of the volunteers at 2l5,000 men.
ABDURRAHMAN's CONFIDENCE.
While the Ameer was at Rawal Pindi
he expressed confidence in the ability of
the Afghans to repel the Russians with
out outside aid, and in Difference to his
wishes the orders to the English officers
to fOrtify Herat were rescinded. Prepa-
ratiOns for war, however, continue un-
abated. The troops which were assembled
at Rawal Pinda have returned to their re-
spective depot, but are held in readiness
for active service. The movement oftield
stores to Pishin and Quetta continues.
Fears are expressed that the English
Cabinet will cnncede Pendjeh to Russia,
thus giving Russia diplomatic triumph.
The popular feeling in Afghanistan is
more friendly to England now than it has
been at any time since the last war.
BRITISH VESSELS SEEKING SAFETY.
The Times states that the government
has been informed that the Captains of all
the British trading vessels now at Danu-
bian ports, are preparing to leave the
Danube and Black Sea to guard against
detention and capture in the event of the
Dardanelles being blocked This has
resulted in a rise of freight rates.
RUssIA's MEN-OF-wAR READY.
Thirty-twO men-of-war are in complete
readiness to put to sea from Cronstadt in
response to orders issued this morning.
The highest price of cOnsOls to-day was
96A and the lowest 96. Though the
movement Of the day shows n net decline
of 7-16, the most important feature of the
movement was a drop of q between ,
and O'Clock this afternoon.
DE GIERs' RESIGNATION PROBABLE.
The Frankfort-On-the-Main Gazette pub
lfeha Il afg.h fa,V,n De- 81.
stating that the resignation of NJ. de Giers,
the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs,
becomes daily more probable.
The PGI HdU Gazette states this after
noon that despite all prevalent alarmst
rumOrs. it is in a position to state that
the differences between England and
Russia are in fair way toward settle
ment.
DE GIERs' REPLY.
The reply Of NJ. de Giers, the Russian
Foreign Minister, 10 Earl Granville's de-
mand for an explanation of Gen. KOma-
rOt2s attack upon the Afghans on the
Kushk river, which was received at the
foreign office last Saturday. was eOnsld-
cred in Cabinet council to-day. The re-
ply says that Gen. KOmar0f's dispatches,
copies OF which have been forwarded TO
the British Governments sufficiently
explain the Pendjeh incident, and that It
rs therefore needless 70 supplement tnem,
Prince de Giers, in his turn, complains
strongly Of what be calls the excessive
numbers Of Sir Petor Lumsden's escort.
He says that this display Of British armed
force on Afghan territory, together
with the military demonstration
at Rawal Pind and Earl Dui-
FERNS defiant language encourage
the Afghans TO provoke the Russian at
tack by leading them to believe that they
could rely on British support. NJ. de Giers
does not express the slightest regret for
Gen. kOmarOh's action, and he even sug-
gests that Gen. KOmaroh would have neg
lected his duty II he had failed TO attack
the Afghans.
THE AMEER's STAND.
The Ameer, owing 10 the opposition OF
his subjects, Is reluctant 10 allow the
British troops 20 enter Afghanistan, which
10 is feared would cause a rebellion. the
Ameer being unpopular. The Ameer is
willing TO cede Pendieh 20 Russia IN re-
turn for her evacuation Of the Zulfcar
passes which command the road TO Horat.
The difficulty arises from the refusal OF
the Russian war party 10 consent 10 with
drawal from Iuliicar. 10 Is believed that
VI. de Giers' party are inclined 10 sup
port this policy, believing that the Eng
lish Cabinet Is inclined % give way.
N is expected that the vote Of credit
will apportiOnate G3,00O,00O for naval pur-
pogog The Adufrqitv infnud to raate