The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-16
And Proposes to Hold England Responsible
for the Conduct of the Ameer-Rumored
Massacre at Penjdeh.
Difficulty Of Making Military Move
ments in Afghanistan at Present.
Russia Takes Her Turn at Demanding Ex
plantations, and Wishes to Know Why
Captain Yates Was at Penjdeh.
ALARMING RUMORs.

ALARMING RUMORS.
The st. Petersburg Authorities Manifest a
Disposition to Force the Quarrel.
LoNDoN. April 16-The St Petersburg cor
respondent Of the Times says that alarming
rumors are circulating, and there is strong i'm
preston that further conflicts will soon be re-
ported from the Afghan frontier, as it is thought
unlikely that Afghans will allow their recent
defeat to pass without seeking revenge.
The general opinion here is that England
is committing herself to dangerous
policy in forming an alliance with the
Ameer without securing absolute control. An
order has been sent to Cronstadt to get ready in
a fortnight, forty war ships including torpedo
boats
Two divisions are about to leave Odessa for
the Caucasus, to take the places of those re-
moved to the trans Caspian territory.
The Post has reason to believe that the gov
ernment has received unsatisfactory dispatches
from St Petersburg. Russia insists on retaining
the positions which she has already occupied, and
intimatss that unless England holds herself
responsible for the acquiescence of the Ameer
in these advances, General Komaroff will ad-
vance and seize Herat. The Post also hears
that the .Afghans at Penjdeh were surprised by
the recent attack, and ruthless massacre fol-
lowed.
A Times editorial says: while politicians be-
lieve, or pretend to believe that there is pros
pect Of peace, commercial and financial circles,
who have powerful motives for forming opin-
IONS, bulieve that Russia is bent on forcing
a quarrel. An emphatic indication that the po-
sition is critical is afforded by Lord Dufferin's
references to the attack of the AT
ghans as unprovoked. Russia is pre-
pairing for war on large SCALE without
attempting to conceal the fact 1t now appears
beyond doubt that the Russian government was
apprised of the Penjdeh battle by April 10.
While the British government is waiting for ex-
plantations, 1t is quite possible that General
Komaroff is pushing forward under telegraphic
orders from St Petersburg.
A letter to the Times from Gu5ran says: "Sir
Peter Lumsdens withdrawal from the frontier
would be the signal for the immediate seizure
Of Herat by the Russians, and would lose the
support of the Afghans, who even new suspect
the Ameer and England of treachery."
Notwithstanding the Posts rumors the other
papers here and on the continent, including
those published at St Petersburg, all express the
opinion that the prospects Of peace are brighter
The News says that nothing has occurred to
qualify the hopes of peace already expressed.
The Standard say that even rumors in relation
to the conditions Of the settlement are afoat, and
that the ambassadors at London have notified
their respective governments that they consider
that rupture is averted.
Private kilograms from St. Petersburg report
thata revolt has broken out at Herat
Mr. Gladstone's apparent hesitation over the
Kushk river affair has emboldened Russia,
and she is now taking her turn in de-
mandng explanations and withdrawals.
The report is confirmed that De Giers has de-
manded an explanation of the presence of Capt
Yates, of General Lumsden's staff, at the Kushk
river battle, and of the part he is said to have
taken in provoking that. engagement Special
dispatches from st. Petersburg even assert that
Russia has demanded the recall of General
Lumsden himself, on the ground of his pro-
nounced sympathy with the Afghans in their
hostility toward Russia; but this statement is
doubtful
LaPaix of Paris says that in the event Of
war between England and Russia the other
powers especially France, must remain strictly
neutral LaPaix hints that such an agreement
already exists