Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-30
.he Two Great Nations Preparing
for the Struggle Which
Seems Imminent.
England Awaiting n De Gier's Response
to Earl Granville's Demand for
an Arbitration Inquiry.


LONDON, April 20.
A despatch from Tirpul states that General
KomaruH has written an open letter TO the
Afghans, in which he expressed surprise at
their conduct in forcing lin to wage battle
against them. The Afshans have become
indignant at what they term the Russian COM
mander's impudence and are becoming more
cordial towards the British.
Ii is stated the porulace of Herat, however.
appear To be just as well inclined towards the
Russians as toward EDgland and the question
AS to which power the Heratians would lend
their assi,tance in event if war is declared
to be at present one of absolute doubt.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 20.
The Naval Viemya. acting, it is believed.
under imperial inspiration. has attracted at
tenIion by publis ing an article with the
startling headline ION the eve of war" This
article declares that Russia, in the event of
ar.will settle matters with England in India
and not in Afghanistan alone.
LONDON, April 20.
The Channel fleet is returning from Ire
land.
Two firms at Cowes are working day and
night on 40 torpedo boats, ordered by the
English COVE rnment.
The admiralty has notified the officers and
men at all the coast guard stations to be in
readiness to join their ships at a moments
notice.
general call has been issued to officers
of the naval reserve, now serving in the mer
cantiie marine, asking them to serve as Off
GERS of the new cruisers.
The studies of the graduating class in ar
tillery at the Woolwich Academy has been
ordered to shorten to enable the cadets to
join their batteries at the earliest possible
date.
The Russian advance south of Penjdeh and
the occupation of Meruchak, are regarded in
parliamentary circles as dispelling the last
hopes Of peace.
ODESSA, April 20.
The Russian reserves are moblizing. All
business transactions. now being entered
into, are subject to heavy war risks. The
Russian government has ordered the South
western railway to prepare several hundred
railway carriages and have them ready at the
earliest moment possible, for the purpose of
conveying the troops.
1t is reported here that the Russian Empire
has forbidden the newspapers to print any
thing in ref. renee to the current events in
Central Asia.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 20.
Five steamships have been purchased of
the United States by Russia, and are to be
USED AS cruisers.
PARIS, April 20.
The bourse was very agitated today on re-
ceipt of unfavorable news from London and
n number of forced sales occurred in connec-
ton with the monthly settlement.
LONDON, April 80.
All the continental bourses were weak and
lower today.
TrFLIs, April 30.
Orders have been given to hasten compile
ton of the military hospitals being erected
between here and Baku.
LONDON, April 20.
A Rawal Pindi letter states the Ameer of
Afghauistan regards the Russians "a enemies
anxious to seize Hprat, the whole of Afghan
istan, Turkestan and Badakshed, and there
fore looks 10 England apparently in all sim
cerity to aid him in repelIing Russia.
CoNsTANTINoPLE, April 20.
All the powers have verbally urged Turkey
to maintain neutrality in the event OF war be-
tween England and Russia.
The Porte is rapidly erecting defensive
works on the Boz sphoros. The Sultan ordered
the heights of Shvrapia to be fortified. Turk
ish agents have been sent abroad to purchase
torpedo boats on the Sutan's account.
LONDON, April 20.
In the ministerial circles the advance of
Russia to Maruchak is not considered as al
tering the dil lpmatic position. No action
will be taken until NJ. DeGlers responds t,
Earl Granville's demands for an arbitration
inquiry. 1t is expected that M. De Gier's
reply will not reach the Russian embassy
here before Monday. and that it will be re-
fusal to accede to Earl Gs,snviiles demand
accompanied by counter proposals.
Ii is reported that Baron De Staal. in an
interview with Earl Granville, stated that
an advance of the English toward Candahar,
would be signal for the Russian occupation
of Herat.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 30.
The Gar has sent an uitlmatum to Great
Britain, demanding that the latter shall ac-
cept Russia's proposed boundary line between
rurkestan and Afghanistan. Ii Great Brit
ain refuses to accept this boundary, Russia
will proceed to occupy Herat.
LONDON, April 20.
A dispatch to the Daily News from St
Petersburg confirms the report that in re-
cent engagement with the Afghans, the Rus
SLAMS were defeated with heavy loss.
ODESSA, April 29.
The whole military division stationed here
have been ordered to the Caspian Sea. The
division will be replaced by troops from the
interior.
ST.. PETERSBURG, April %.
Orders have been issued Tor the moolllza-
ton of the entire Russian army. The ice 10
rapidly disappearing from the hsrbcrs of
ST. Petersburg, Cronstadt, Helsingfa and
Riga. In court and diplomatic circles the
opinion expressed today is that the affairs
have been of a much more pacific aspect.
1t is reported that leading financial houses
are operating with view to rise in Russian
stocks. The Gar declares desire to main
tain the frontier line now held but is disposed
to aceede to the decision of the joint CON-
mission. An inquiry will be made into the
cause OF the Penjdeh conflict. The recall of
Baron De Staal is imminent. NJ. De Giers
is dissatisfied with the conduct of the negotia-
tiors between England and Russia.
BRUSSELS. April 30.
A despatch to the Independence Beige from
st. Petersburg says, after council meeting
Yesterday, at which NJ. De Giers' proposals
to adopt conciistory measures toward Eng
land were rejected, NJ. De Giers rendered his
resignation as foreign minister, but the Car
refused to accept il at the present crisis. At
the arrival of the news If the Russian defeat in
Afghanistan he sent q courier despatch to
England in the nature of ultimatum and
signed an order for the mobilization Of forces.