Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-11

ed the OInccs OF Humooi oi oeC"hSuiP
companies and made heavy bids for the
purchase of their fast-going vessels.
The extraordinary offers for steamers
aroused the suspicious Of the officers OF
the companies, who upon inquiry be-
came convinced that if the vessels were
sold they would be used by the Rus
sian Government for war purposes. and
SO reported the facts to the British Adj
miralty. 1t was stated at the foreign
Offices this afternoon that Russia had
not yet replied to the demand of Eng
land for full explanation respecting
the Russian attack on the Afghans on
Kushk river.
BosToN, April 10.-A private cable
dispatch received in this city from Lon
don says: sit is reported that the
English ultimatum to Russia is twenty
four hours in which to recall General
Komarof or go to war;"
HOPES TO PRESERVE PEACE.
PANS, April l0.-Gaulsis pub
fishes q telegram from Berlin, which
says: Prince Bismarck has assured q
banker that in spite Of the incident at
Penjdeh the Gar hopes to preserve
peace.
ONLY AN INCIDENTAL CONFLICT.
ST. PETERSBURG, April l0.-The
Jsarnal de 81. Pstersboprgs says Gene
raj Komarofrs return within his lines
affsr driving off the Afghans indicates
that the Russian attack WAS caused by
the hostile acts OF the Afghans. Thus
the affair was only an accidental con-
fict, such as is very difficult to avoid
when one considers the strained situs-
ten and close proximity Of the sp-
posing parties. The Journal sees no
reason for regarding q war between
Russia and England rs inevitable, and
expresses the hope that the battle on
the Kushk will not interfere with the
negotiations now in progress with Eng
land for an amicablo settlement OF the
perplexing boundary question. The
Journal is glad 70 hear that British
officers vino were at the scene Of battle
reached Afghan tsrrisory in safety.
BUsEIA's REPLY RECEIVED.
LONDON, April l0.-In the House Of
Commons to-day hr. Gladstone said 4
reply WAS received from Russia last
night. This stated that Russia had
already asked General Komarof to eI-
plain his conduct in attacking the AZ
ghans at Penjdeh. Mr.. Gladstone
added that the Russians do not occupy
Penjdeb, and that Russia had not yet
received General Komarof's explains
ton.
In regard to the question Of the pro-
sent occupation of Pcnjdeh, DIR. Glad
stone stated that he had been in COM
nunication upon the subject with Sir
Edward Thornton, thu British ambassa-
der at st. Petersburg, and that the lat
ter had informed him that tho Russians
DO not occupy Penjdeh, but have retired
10 the positions they occupied before
the battle with the Afghans.
RUssIA's REPLY RIDICULED.
LONDON, April l0.-The Tories
ridicale Russis's reply to England
demand for explanation OF General
Komaroff's attack upon the Afghans.
They argue that it will be impossible to
receive General Komaroff's defence
within less than sixteen days, and that
Russia will occupy that interval as
she has occupied the past seven
months-in reinforcing her army
and Strengthening her positions
on the Afghan's frontier. The
Wing section Of the Liberal party has
Joined the Tories in demanding more
vigorous measures. They are urging
the Government to send engineer Off
GERS and troops to occupy aud strengthen
Candabar, the capital Of central AZ
ghapistan, which commands the most
practicable route from Afghanistan in
northern India.
LORD DUFPERIS URGES AN IMME-
DIATB ADVANCE.
LONDON, April l0.-Lord Dufferin,
after consultation with the Ameer. urges
the Government to order the immediate
advance Of troops into Afghanistan.
The Amer has sent couriers with or
ders to the Afghan chiefs to meet him
at Cabul for the purpose Of holding a
war dHbor.
Letters from St. Petersburg, mailed
at Berlin in order TO escape Russian
censorship, charge the Russian Minister
of War with having sent orders to Gen
eral Komaroff at about the end of
February to bring on conflict with the
Afghans, and state that General Roma
rolf started from herv with reinforce
ments for Pull IKhiSti, and took advan-
taee of the favorable opportunity to
make the attack soon after his arrival
ut the latter place.
War preparations in ell the depart
ments of the military and naval service
continue with undated vigor.