The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-10

Of the Kuski river, which might be
equivelant to such retreat. The. gov
ernment had been informed. the Premier
went on. that the Russians had made every
deavor to induce the Afghans to begin the fight
ing. Russian troops had even twice attempted
to forefby pass through the Afghan picket lines
Aftersone of these attempts had failed to pro-
woke an Afghan attack, Captain Yates met a
Russian chief of staff and talked to him about
the conduct of the Russian soldiers being an evi-
dent violation of the Russian agreement to not
advance pending the outcome Of the negotia-
tons The Russian officer stated that he had no
knowledge that any arrangement existed against
Russian advance Captain Yates referred to
the official dispatch sent from ST. Petersburg
on March II to London, assuring England that
Russian officers at the front, directing
them to forbid any advance and to
do all in their power to prevent provocation of
the Afghans. The Russian officer declared he
knew nothing whatever of any such arrange
ment. Mr.. Gladstone, commenting on this, said
that England had kept her part of this agree
ment.
Up to Maych 80 the Afghans had made no ad-
vance nor any forward movement of any kind.
So far as the information possessed by the Min
listers went, Mr. Gladstone stated we must re-
gard the attack by the Russians upon Penjdeh
as unprovoked. The government had asked for
an explanation of this attack from Russia, but,
of course, sufficient time had not yet elapsed
for the receipt of an answer to this request. Sir
Edward Thornton, the British ambassador
to st. Petersburg, had, however, last night,
telegraphed that NJ DeGiers, the Russian Prime
Minister had expressed, for himself and for the
Gar, an earnest hope that this unhappy Incl
dent might not prevent the continu alton Of the
negotiations for peace. This remark was greeted
with shouts of derisive laughter
Sir Stafford Northcote. the Tory leader, at
this point arose, and recalling the Premiers
statement, first made, that the government
believed that after defeating the Afghans in
Penjdeh the Russians had retired, asked,
sareastically, if It was not more reasonable to
believe that, after driving the Afghans out of
Penjdeh, the Russians stayed and occupied the
place.
To this Mr. Gladstone said that, of course. the
natural inference would be that the Russians
now occupy Penideh concerning this state
Iuent, however" the Premier added, ''some con-
fusion exists, because the statement that the
Russians occupy Penjdeh emanates from a
British officer who had left the spot at the time
of the fight. whilst Sir Edward Thornton reports
subsequently that M. DeGiers had stated that
the Russians, after attacking the Afghans did
not occupy Penjdeh."
Many questions were asked Mr. Gladstone
about the ambiguity of the expression used by
NJ. De Giers, and whether the Russians might
not have occupied Penjdeh without having occu-
pied it immediately after the battle.
Mr.. Gladstone evaded these questions as idle
and to others responded that the government
had no reason to believe that any aggressive
acts had been done by the Afghans to provoke
the attack on Penjdeh. This declaration caused
a sensation, and for moment the House re-
sounded with cries of Hear! hear!"
Mr.. Gladstone appeared anxious and care
worn.
Lord Randolph Churchill, on entering the
House. was warmly greeted by both Conserva-
tive and Liberal members
The general opinion expressed in the lobby
was that nothing can prevent war.
-- w hex gTr. Gladstone declared that the Rus
sian attack on Penjdeh appeared to be unpro-
voked aggression the House warmly indorsed
the phrase.
Later in the evening Mr. Gladstone, replying
to question asked by Sir Richard Cross, said
that the government had received another tele
gram from Sir Peter Lumsden, which tended to
qualify the statement made by him Mr. Glad
stone) in reply to Sir Stafford Northcote, which
was based Sir Peter Lumsden's statement
that the Afghans had made no advance, either
before after March IL. "Sir Peter
Lumsden now says" continued, Mr.. Glad
stone that when the Russians threatened
an attack on the Afghan position by pushing
forces to Aktepe, the Afghans threw out videttes
and extended their pickets to Puli-Khisti on
the left bank of the Kushk river, and gradually
strengthened this position until, on March go
the bulk of their force had been transferred
across the river Sir Peter Lumsden is of the
opinion that the movement does not constitute
an actual advance on the part of the Afghans,
but merely the occupation of a more advan.
tageous military position"
The strong anti Russian feeling in both parties
in the House of Commons amounts to passion
If Russias explanation of the attack the
Afghans be delayed, or be incompetent, the
British government will be forced to declare war
or resign.
The decline in consols since the opening of the
Afghan frontier dispute has been per cent,
which equals the fall in consos at the opening of
the Crimean war