Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-06
The Present Agreement Regarded
as Temporary Narrative of the
Battle of Penjedh by an
Eye Witness.
Russia Advances While England Apol-
ogizes and Retreats"

II Is Impossible 10 calculate with precision, as
it is dependent upon the Russian govern
ments ability to curb the aggressive spirit of
the military party.
After MIR. Gladstone had announced the
peace arrangement in the House of Commons,
the conservative members held meeting
and discussed their course in regard TO the
vote of credit. They decided that it would
be impolite to oppose the vote. The opinion
prevails in the party that the government ex-
cited the war furore in order to cover its re-
treat from the Soudan. and to obtain credit
with which TO meet the existing deficits. 1t
is said that Mr.. Gladstone never had the
faintest intention of entering into conflict
with Russia.
A communication from the Russian gov
ernment defines the scope of arbitration. 1t
is not to include the military question, but is
to be limited to a consideration of explana-
tions with reference TO the alleged violation
of the convention. The tenor of the arrange
ments indicates that the arbitrator's function
will be to find formula OF Cancellation con-
sistent with the amour propre OF both sides.
Emperor William will be asked to act as
arbitrator and it is expected that he will con-
sent.
! The moderate London papers aud the pub
lie in general are inclined to approve the
present plan of settlement, as it will allow
| England time IN which TO put her army and
navy liz perfect fighting order for the final
struggle. which ma jority believe certain TO
occur. The only fear expressed is that the
government cannot sufficiently bind Russia
to a solemn agreement not to advance beyond
the frontier. There is sudden subsidence
of reports in the papers of war preparations.
both in England and in Russia, but prepar-
ations will probably continue on both sides
/ - e. Al
reason will be conducted on more solid
footing.
The London Post in an editorial this morn
ing, SAYS: One more humiliation, when they
crowd so thickly on us, would be of little
moment if thereby we could avoid war; but
even if the frontier question is settled, the
inevitable conflict will only be postponed for
brief period.
The Standard says editoraly Earl Gran
vile throws up the sponge in most artistic
manner. We have no doubt that when the
British Empire perishes. it. too. will have
learned to die esthetically. 1t remains to be
seen how much life there is in it yet. The
only serious matter is the position of Sir
Peter Lumsden, whom all Asia is laughing
at. We are unable to say what will become
of him. Will he be able to report the sever
ity of the weather, the sharpness of Russian
ehUSIs dslu tuS hueucss VI husSldu HuuOT
| AT any rate he has not surrendered the from
tier. This is left to negotiation.
SIMLA, May
Ap eyewitness of the Penjdeh affair says
that on March 20, Taib Sailor, the Afghan
commander, received Gen. Komaroff's ulti-
matum, which was in substance that unless
the Afghans retired from the left bank of the
Kushk and the right bank of the Murghab
before the evening of that date, the Russians
would drive them out the same night. Tab
SAILOR, after consulting with the British Off
GERS, declined to evacuate the positions re-
ferred to, but offered to consider reasonable
proposals regarding pckets and outposts.
Gen. Komarof made no answer to the
offer and the next morning the Russians ad.
vanced, Turcomen cavalry covering the in
fantry. This movement drew the Afghan
fire. Then the Turcomans opened out, show
ing battalion of the 73d regiment, a sotnyra
of COssacks and eight guns. Then the latter
came into action, and the infantry fired vol.
leys for half an hour, sweeping the Afghans
down in files. The Afghans, with muzzle
leaders and wet powder, answered feebly,
while two guns badly placed replied to the
Russian artillery. The Kushk was swelled
and unfordable, and the only means of re-
treat was by the Pul l Khisti bridge, seven
feet wide. The Cossacks swept forward on
tina left flank of the Afghans, and the Russian
infantry charged their entertainments and
carried them at the point of the bayonet,
killing hundreds of the defenders who resist.
ed bravely. The Afghans were demoralized
copy of che telegram giving the news OF
the agreement of March II was given to Col.
Iacharevski on March 81. Therefore, he
| must have been aware of the agreement at
the time of the Penjdeh battle.
LONDON, May 5.
| Gladstone, in the House of Commons this
evening, was asked how it was that while Sir
Peter Lumsden was recalled from the Afghan
frontier by England, Gen. Komarof was re-
\ tained there by Russia, and if these facts
would not indicate the confession of wrong on
Englands side of the Afghan dispute.
Gladstone stated that there was no relation
between the cases of Sir Peter Lumsden and
Gen. Komarof. The latter was not recalled
because he was in command of the Russian
forces, while Sir Peter had been employed 10
purely civil capacity.
| Sir Peter Lumsden, the Premier added,
had not been recalled, but had been consulted
on the subject, and in conformity with his
own views had been requested to return
to England. As it had been decided
to carrv on in London future communication
with Russia about the main points of the
Afghan frontier, both Sir Peter Lumsden
and Col Stewart had been directed to come
to London.
LONDON, May 8.
The stock market closed quiet but firm.
Tho general impression prevails in financial
circles that peace between Russia and Eng
land is assured.
| 1t was rumored in the lobby of the House
| of Commons today that Lord Randolph
Churchill intends to initiate a conservative
vote of censure of the government, because
it has failed TO protect the interests of India
! Baron De Staal, Russian ambassador, and
Earl Granville had long conference today
on the question of what guarantees should be
provided against Russian snvance on Herat
/ II is reported that Earl Granville proposed
the making of a treaty pledging Russia
against further advance, and recognizing the
English protectorate in Afghanistan. Some
feeling of uncertainty remains in Diplomatic
and official circles as to the maintenance OF
peace. Naval and military work will con.
tinue till both branches are fully supplied
with stores.
LONDON, May 5.
1t is officially explained that Sir Pete,
Lumsden has not been recalled in diplo
matte sense of the term, but has been sum