Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-04-15
England and Russia.

Whilst negotiations looking to settle
ment of the boundary between Russia and
Afghanistan were going on between Eng
land and Russia, conflict between the
Russians and Afghans took place on the
Both inst, which will make it difficult to
avoid war between those powerful ma
tons.
The Russian commander General Ko-
maroff reports that in consequence OF pro-
vocative and manifestly hostile proceedings
of the Afghans he was compelled to attack
them on the Both ult., on both banks OF the
Kushk river The result was the defeat of
the Afghans. who numbered 1900 men,
with the loss of 500 men, all their artillery,
two standards and their entire camp and
provisions. The Russian loss was one Off
GER and ten soldiers killed, and three sub
alterns and twenty nine soldiers wounded
When the fighting ended Gen. Komaroff
returned across the river to the positions
he had formerly occupied.
There is great excitement in England,
and the war spirit Of both the Afghans and
English seems to be greatly aroused. The
news of this first conf ct on the outposts
had the effect at once of increasing the
price of wheat five cents per bushel, and
flour 20 cents per barrel. The price of
beef will also go up. This immediate rise
in prices is an earnest Of what would be
the effect Of war between England and
Russia. The price of wool would be con-
siderably increased as about two-thirds of
the wool manufactured in this country
comes from Russia and East India.
In the House of commons, Friday, Mr.
Gladstone said that reply had been G.
ceived from Russia in regard to Gen. Ko-
maroff's attack on Penjdeh. Gen. Koma
rcff had been asked for an explanation OF
his conduct, but no reply had been received
from him. Mr.. Gladstone was informed,
however, that the Russians had not occu
pied Penjdeh, but lad retired to their for
mer position after the battle with the AT
ghans. This movement, the Journal de St.
Petersburg says, indicates that the Russian
attack was caused by the hostile acts of
the Afghans, and thus the affair was only
an accidental conflict The Journal, more
over, sees no reason to regard war between
Russia and England as inevitable.
The morning newspapers throughout
Russia are generally very bellicose in their
comments on the recent engagement, and
they charge the Earl of Dufferin and Sir
Peter Lumsden with having provoked the
war by advising the Afghans to advance
on Russian territory.
The London morning press, without ex-
ception, declares that England must fight,
unless Russia shall promptly recall Gen.
Komaroff and dlsown his action in attack
ing the Afghans.
Gen. Komaroff has explained that he
was obliged to attack the Afghans at PEN
.ideh to put stop to the pillaging of the
district by the Turcomans. The Gar has
directed him to thank his troops, and to
announce that all who took part in the bat
tie will be rewarded according to their
rank. Earl Granville On Saturday advised
the Russian ambassador to London that
whatever General Komaroff's explanation
Great Britain would not allow any further
discussion of the Afghan frontier question
until the Russian troops have bsei with
drawn from their present outposts.