Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-03-27
LONDON, March 20.

LONDON. March 20.
] he army of the Bombay presidency has
been ordered to prepare for active service.
The government is considering the propo-
sails hich Russia has made 10 Turkey in re-
gard to forming an alliance.
The Standard is still hopeful of peace. 1t
says Russia's defances are unable TO stand
the strain of war, that no power except Ger
many is able or willing to supply q loan to
Russia, and that it is doubtful whether even
Germany could do so.
CALCUTTA, March 26.
The Duke of Connaught will command the
reserves. Gen. Roberts corps will go to Boz
Ian Pass; 1900 reinforcements will be drawn
from England.
LONDON, March 20.
kilograms from continental houses show
frmer markets today. Preparations for war
continue with great Activity. Orders have
been sent to Portsmouth to put the steel dis
patch vessel Mercury, with ten guns, in read
mess for immediate service. 1t is reported
that the armor plated turreted ships, Devss-
tation, and Colossus, and the corvette Bac
chante, together with the troop ship Orantes,
are also under preparation for sea. Orders
have likewise been sent TO armorers through
out the kingdom to return Immediately to the
Tower of London all the Mar;ini-Henr
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
dispatched to India. Fourteen thousand
rifles now at Portsmouth will be forwarded
tomorrow. Orders have also been received
at Portsmouth directing that the composite
sloop Cormorant, should be made ready for
sea.
The Queen has sent message to the House
of Commons, calling out the British reserves
and the British militia, for permanent
vice.
Reports are current at Aldershot that orders
have been receive there providing for the
raising Of 5000 troops for India. One bat
terry of horse artillery will proceed from
Woolwich to India immediately
The government of Burmah is sending a
thousand camels to India to be employed in
the transport service on the frontier of AZ
ghantstaR. BY Gen. Stewart, British COM
mander.
The excitement over the prospect of war
with Russia is again in full swing. The Wig
orous actions of Lord Dutferin in India, and
the energetic military preparations at home
are known 10 everv body, and considered far
more significant than the soothing speeches
of the Ministers in Parliament. The military
clubs are in ferment of excitement and
hustle, in consequence of the sweeping order
for all officers of the Indian service now on
leaves of absence, to rejoin their regiments
in India forthwith. Many of these fur
loughed officer only arrived in England dur
ing the past week, and they have hardly had
time to greet their friends. Scores of Off
GERS have booked for passages to India via.
the Brindsi route, for next Friday. Another
week will decide the question of peace or
war with Russia. Notwithstanding the vigor
of the war preparations, great deal of diplo
matte parleving is now in progress. The
favor of the Ameer of Ab2urrahman is being
sedulously cultivated BY both sides, and
Lord Dufferin has been instructed to reassure
him that England will never allow Afghanis-
tan TO come under the sway of Russia. The
cunter proposals of England to Turkey which
were intended to checkmate NJ. Neldofi's ef-
fors to effect a secret Russo. Turkish alli-
snce now seems likely to succeed. Turkey
has been extensively coquetting with Russia,
but is now disposed to jilt her in favor of
England. Sultan Abdul Hamid is said to be
charmed with the prospect of being allowed
to undertake military operations against FL
Mshdi, as he knows that this is likely to re-
suit in Turkeys unquestionable control of
Egypt. If Turkish troops are sent to the Sou.
dan it is probable that 10000 of the British
troops now operating in that country will be
sent to India as well as a similar force from
England which had been intended to rein
force Gems. Wolseley and Graham. The large
fleet of steamers which the admiralty office
has been quietly collecting during the past
six weeks will furnish abundant means of
transportation, and volunteers for the expe-
dition are numerous. and plans have been
perfected in the admiralty office for the
blockading of Russian ports in the Baltic and
Black seas. including Riga, Perham, Odessa
Sebastopool. and kertch.
In accordance with the Queens message,
the war Office has called out the army re-
serves and militia.
Orders have been sent to Chatham to sup
ply Immediately 5000. 900 cartridges A
wild rumor is afioat that some of the Rus
sian troops have attacked a portion of Sir
Peter Lumsden's party, and killed two Of his
men.
CoNsTASrISoPLE, March &c.
In political circles here it is thought that
in event of war between Russia and England
the fight will not be confined to the Afghan
frontier, but extend to the Black sea. 1t is
rumored that Great Britain had sounded
the Porte in regard to permission to pass
through Dardsnelles in case of war.
/ LONDON. March 26
! After official hours today, foreign funds be-
coming fattened, owing to the calling out of
/ the reserves and the militia The consuls
and the Russian, Turkish, and Egyptian sec
retaries we're the principal sufferers BY the
decline
| The calling out of the reserves and militia
has increased the excitement over the Anglo
| Russian dispute. Orders for thousands of
Martin-Henry rifles and revolvers have been
sent to Birmingham. The arms are to be
sent to Bombay as rapidly as completed The
| factories at Birmingham are working night
/ and day.
! special cabinet council was held thi.
afternoonoon at Windsor Castle by command
| Of the Queen. just as the ministers we're
leaving, the castle messenger arrived from
/ the foreign Office, bringing dispatches for
| Lord Granville from Sir Edward Thornton.
minister to Russia. and Lord Dufferin, vice
roy of India. The ministers returned TO the
castle and q second council was held
The council of India has been authorized
| to raise q credit of 500 900 franks on the
account ofthe Indian treasury. for war pur-
poses. Earl Duferin. viceroy of India, will
give the Ameer of Afghanistan the grant
which he demsnds TO pay the Afghanistan
I troops, and alloy the discomfort of the tribal
leaders. The Ameer promises to place 50,-
600 troops on the frontier and in the forts at
Balka, Penjdah and Herat Preparations are