The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-04-14
RUSSIANS AND AFGANS.
ENGLAND TO THE FRONT.

LONDON, A pril 6 The news OF bat.
tie between the Russians and A'ghar
forces has been confirmed, and ii Is i'm.
possible 10 see how war can he averted
The money markets. throughout Enopt
are excited, and consols are lower thar
ever known before
The St Petersburg Official Messenger
publishes the following this morning
Gen Kamorcff reports that in conse.
qneDce uf hostile m msnl estations by tht
A'ghans he was compelled to ATTACK
them. The Afghans were posted upon
both banks Of the river Klshk, in forti.
lied positions. The light occurred or
the 3Oth of last month. The Afghan
force consisted of four Thousand men
with eight guns, and we're defeated with
! q loss Of 500. All the artillery, two
standards Of banners and the entire camp
outfit and provisions of the Afghans
were captured. The r issian loss was
'hree subalterns and teu soldiers killed
When the fighting ended General Komo-
rolf also reports that some Biiish o!.
dcers, who had heen eye witnesses but
no. participants in the engagement, ap-
pealed to the Russians for protection
when they saw the Afghans we're beaten.
"But, unfortunately" he says, "a con.
voy which imm, diately dispatched to the
relief OF these Cfficers was unable to over
take the Afghan cavalry who carried the
British away with them in their flight.
MO t STUBBORN FIGHT
The latest dispatches from the Afghan
frontier state that the fight at Murgbah
was most stubborn one. The battle
was fought in driving rain storm, which
rendered many OF the muzzle loading
arms carried by both forces ineffective
The Afghans fought with great des-
psration, and bravely opposed. step by
step, the advance of the Russians Two
companies Of Afghans defended one po-
81 ion until they we're completely annihi-
lated by deadly artillery fire opened
on them hy the Russians. The Afghans
re'reated in perfect order after inhicting
some severe losses. The Rnssisns we're
evidently surprised bv the stubborn op.
position, and did not follow up their ad-
vantage. being evidently content with
the capture Of the camp.
The British officers who were present
during the fight are loud in their praises
Of the valor displayed by the Afghans
Officers at once proceeded TO the head
quarters OF Sir Peter Llmsden, the
English Commissioner, and made a full
report of the 6gh. 10 that official.
LONDON, Ap,il 9 -Evening-The day
has been one of unparalleled excite ment
and this evening there is no abatement.
The streets are even more crowded than
thev we're during the day, and the sole
toTic Of discussion is the probable action
OF the Government, now that Russia has
thrown down the gauntlet. Nothing has
as yet transpired as to the doings OF the
Cabinet.
Numerous dispatches have passed be-
tween st Petersburg and London, and
the Russian ambassador has received
and answered several communications
from Mr.. Gladstone's Downing street
Office 1t is believed that the Russian
Government is trying to hoodwlnk the
English officials into further DELAY by
pretending to he entirely ignorant of any
engagement Of moment between The
Russian and Afghan forces on the from.
tier, and asking that action be delayed
until official reports of the occurrence
are received.
Up to this hour the reported capture
of Peniieh has not been confirmed, bu,
Notwithstanding this the belief is general
that that place has also fallen into Rus.
sian hands.
ALI sorts of wild ramors with regard
10 the proceedings at to-day's Cabinet
meeting are current. Some are TO the
OBJECT that all nego'lstions with Russis
in regard to the Afghan boundary line
have been broken of, and that il salts.
factory explanation Of the affair on the
frontier is not received from st. Peters.
burg within a few hours the Russian
Ministor will hp handed his nasanort