New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-01
EXPRESSIONS OF RUSSIAN OPINION
xo,tApoFF's REPLY TO LuMsDEN-cRiIIclsINo
c1 AnsrnNE,s SPEECH.


CT pYrrRsBURG, April 30.-The Official
Messenger publishes the following dspatch from oehel
YomaroG, dated at Askabad on Friday;
as. telegram forbidding the occupution OF Penjdeh
reached me on March 23 only mmunicated II 10 the
commanders OF outposs and did not make IL geheray
known Colonel Zacrzevsk with my PERMISSION hao q
rorrespoudence With some British officers In private
eapacty did not admit their right to treat onicahy
my demands direct TO the commander OF the
Afghan forces Colonel Alkhanof with SONIA OF
Turcomans rode the direction OF MorKais' along Ihe
the river bank on the Russian side 1t was by no means
mr. intention TO advance PeIjdeh. To march the
solsa in the rear Of 1000 Afghans impraciicabe
One company Of Russians marched ON the heights ON the
right bank of the Murghab River but did not reach our
ydeties on the left bank OF the river When the
Afghans approached however this one company by my
order returned to camp
General Komaroff thus concludes his dispatch' III
view OF constant hundreds of vcrsts OF
territory, and owing also to heavy Moods,
II IA impossible TO furnish regular reforts"
The Olcat Messenger In editorial on the report OF
Sir Peter Lumsdsn OF the capture and occupation OF
Pendeh by the Russians says: Bad weather mas de-
layed the arrival Of the officer whom General komaroh
sent with detailed of the battle of March 30
sucent data however, have been received to arrive at
a correct conclusion respecting General Lumsden's
statements inpugning General Komarofs report Rus
sa Is desirous of friendly settlement with England
and intrsted demitation of the frontier to oint
British and Russian commission. But the unexpected
entry OF the Afghans into Pendeh and the Afghan ad
vance down the Murghab and Heri-Rud Rivers. COM
,eod Russia to protect rights in practical manner
against this arbitrary Of her territory In this
view General Komarof ordered in January to oc-
rpy with his videttes the line extending from Zukar
along the Heri-Rud River by KechRisilias, Kech Rs-
sume Chemenbsid and ChouzikbaD, far as PuliKhis
H. where the ancient bridge crosses the Kushk River
thus forming the western boundary OF the Penjdeh
oasis Tn. Russian commanders were enjoined TO alb
stain from. armed collision with the Afghans
unless the latter provoked encounter. The
Russians as directed occupied tho above described posi-
tion on February 90 On March Sir Edward Thornton,
the British Minister informed NJ dc Gers the Russian
Minister for Foreign Affairs that the Afghans had been
requested not to attack the Russians but to resist Rus
alan advance England, at the same time, expressed
wisIhat pending the settlement OF the boundary dis
pute The of the Russian ouposs be ordered
10 refrain from making any advance Russia agreed TO
This with certain restrictions, and General
Eomafof was requested not 10 occupy
Russia corresponded with what General Lumsden
had said-that tho Russians had occupied Puil-khlsu
aud that Afghan outpost was stationed ON the right
when General Komarof approached Pu-tKhisti, he
She Penjdch district fortified Afghan post. He
bound TO request the Afghan commander 70 Withdraw
refusal 10 do this was the direct Of the battle Of
arch 80 General KOmar0 did not oyerstcp his orders,
when he insisted the evacuation OF the left bank OF
The yoasmaI de st. Petersburg says "Mr Gladstones
recent speech on the war credit was OF KIND to carry
giving time for reflection OF criticism Some OF his state
hsnts refnte each other"
British Cabinet summoned home Mr.. Stephen, attached
" the briusnAfghan Boundary Commission, 10 recon
ole the statements In General Lumsdens four contra
MOSCOW April so.-Thc Gaseae says that If England
At the entrance TO the Sea Of Japan otherwise Rugaa
win be Obliged TO occupy Herat