The Portland daily press., 1885-03-27
NOTES OF WAR.
An Absolute Rupture Between
Russia and England Expected
at Any Moment
Queen Victoria Calls Cut the Reserves
and Militia.
Preparations for War Being Every
where Made on Grand Scale.
Runner that Russian Troops Have At
tackled Sir Peter Lumsden's Party.

LONDON, March 26.-Preparations for war
continue with great activity. Orders have
been sent to Portsmouth to put the steel de-
spAtch vessel Mercury, of 10 guns, in readiness
for immediate service. It is stated that the
armor-plated, turreted ships Devastation aud
Colossus, with the corvette Bacchante togeth-
or with the troop ship Orontes, are all under
preparations for sea. Orders have been sent
likewise to the armorers throughout the king
dom to return Immediately to the Tower of
London all Martini-Henry rifles which they
have in stock. The object Of having them sent
to the Tower is that they may be inspected,
after which they will be despatched to India.
Fourteen thousand rifles now al Portsmouth
will oe forwarded to India tomorrow. Orders
have also been received at Portsmouth direct
ing that the composite sloop Cormorant be
made ready for sea-
The Queen has sent message to the House
OF Commons, calling out the British reserves
and British militia for permanent service.
Reports are current at Aldershos that orders
have beea received there providing for the
raising of 10 900 troops for India. One bat
terry OF horse artillery will proceed from Wool
wich TO india Immediately.
The government of Burmah is sending a
thousand camel5 to India to be employed in
transport service on the frontier of Afgh anis-
tan by Gen. Stewart, the British commander.
In accordance with the Queens message, the
War Office has called cut the army reserves
and militia.
LONDON, March 26.-Orders have been sent
to Chatham TO supply Immediately 5000, coo
cartridges. A wild rumor is afloat that some
Russian troops have attacked portion of Sir
Peter Lumsden's party and killed two of his
men.
CoNsrANTNoPLE, March 26-In political
circles here it is thought that in the event of
war between Russia and England, the fighting
will not be confined to the Afghan frontier, but
will extend to the Black Sea. 1t is rumored
that Great Britain has already sounded the
Porte in regard to obtaining permission to pass
the Dardanelies in Case of q war.
LONDON March 26. After official hours to.
day, foreign funds became fattened owing to
the calling out OF the reserves and militia.
Consols and Russian, Turkish and Egyptian
securities were the principal sufferers by the
decline. The Paris Bourse was fiat, and rentes
closed at the lowest figures Of the day, owing
to the Tonquin defeat.
A special Cabinet council was held this af-
ternoon at Windsor Castle, by command Of
the Queen. just as the ministers were leaV-
ing the castle, messenger arrived from the
foreign Office, bringing dispatches for Lord
Granville, from Sir Edward Thornton, minis
ter to Russia, and Lord Dnfferin, Viceroy of
India, aud the ministers returned to the castle
and second council was held.
The calling out of the reserves and militia
has increased the excitement over the Anglo
Russian dispute, and orders for thousands of
Martini-Henry rifles and revolvers have been
shipped to Bombay as rapidly as completed,
and the factories at Birmingham are working
night and day.
LONDON, March 26.-The council Of India
has been authorized TO raise credit OF el ,500,-
600 on account Of the indian treasury for war
purposes. Earl Duferin, viceroy of India,
will give the Ameer of Afghanistan the grant
which he demands to pay the Afghan troops
and alsy discontent of the tribe leaders, and
the Ameer promises to place $4,000 troops on
the frontier and in forts at Bolkha, Penjdjh
and Herst. Preparations now being made
at Rawnll, Pindi and Qaetts indicate an early
advance will be made on Qaetta and Tide with
the object Of reaching Herat before the Rus
slams.
ALLAHABAD, March 26. Sixty thousand
troops have been equipped and made ready for
service st any moment The Maharajahs Of
Siende and Holkar met Earl Dufferin to.day,
aud in formal aud cordial manner placed
their armies at his disposal.