The Portland daily press., 1885-04-29
Report That Russia Rejects the
Conciliatory Measures.
A Division Secretly Modified for De-
fence OF CrOnstadt.
Rumored Battle Between Russians
and Afghans Not Confirmed.
What Will Follow Declaration Of War.
Mr.. Gladstone's Speech Received
With Enthusiasm.

DaJte, tnongn mol as yeJ connrmeds mas
greatly increased the danger OF war. The
Times says that the rumor is probably the first
oozing ont of the news which has been ofh-
cially suppressed.
At present only the independents Beige and
Daily News have received report OF the bat
tie. 1t is presumed that body OF Russians
followed the body of retreating Afghans, and
that while scouting In the country for the pur-
pose of collecting information, perhaps pushed
on to Chameinbeide, thus coming into contact
with Afghan troops on the 6irect route to He
rat; or similar movement Esay have besn
made from Zulfkar or Akrobat. At present
there is nothing to show where the conflict oc-
Cured.
A declaration of war is rot expected to fol-
low directly upon the rupture of diplomatic
relations. Baron De Staal and Sir Edward
Thornton would be recalled, and Russia would
then probably order Gen. Komaroff to ad-
vance on Herat, England occupying Candahar
ia the meantime.
The Admiralty has ordered all able seamen
to be enrolled in the royal navy. The Duke of
Cambridge presided over the defence commit
tee last night.
The Conservatives had intended to move
the adjournment of the credit debate in the
House of Commons, but seeing the effect of
Mr.. Gladstone's speech they refrained. Lord
Randolph Churchill, on entering the House
later, was surprised to find that the vote OF
credit had already been agreed to.
The government has no information with
reference to the report that the Gear is going
to Moscow.
Condie Stephen, who is coming to London
with information regarding the Penjdeh Incl
dept, is a prominent official in the foreign
office, and is especially acquainted with the
facts bearing on the present situation. He
was second in authority of the British repre-
sentation at Teheran. He is expected to ar
rive at London in month.
The Peace Arbitration Society has issued
ctr in Of nh fsfaFnf 10 10
the difference between England and Russia.
The London Stsndard, Conservative jour-
nal, in an editorial, says: Mr.. Gladstone's
speech was wholly worthy of the occasion. 1t
was manifestly intended to convey more than
he thought it we'll to say. The upshot of the
whole matter is, We take it, that Russia de-
clines to admit the conduct of her officers to
question.
The Times editorially says: If Russas pol
icy is founded upon belief that England will
submit to any exactions rather than rupture
existing relations, Mr.. Gladstone speech
must dispel that illusion. The cheers with
which the speech was greeted will be reechoed
throughout the country.
The Post editorially says: The fact that the
war credit was voted without any one ventur-
ing reply to Mr.. Gladstone, is unprecedented
in this or any other country. Mr.. GladstoneS
language is too significant to require comment.
The attack upon Penjdeh must either be justi-
fed or atoned for.
The Telegraph cannot believe that such
spectacle as the decision of the House will be
lost upon Russia. Such speeches as that de-
livered by Mr.. Gladstone will raise politics to
higher level.
The News in an editorial, says: There is a
strong hope that matters have not reached the
war point. The negotiations between Eng
land and Russia still continue, and may result
in settlement. Mr.. Gadstone's speech is of
profound historical interest.
It is reported that Russia is meeting with
great opposition in her endeaVors to purchase
transport animals in Turkegtan. A decree
was issued le7ying animals for transport SER
vice, but when the orders were being execute
there was some rioting.
ST. PETER, BURG, April 2S.-The present
state OF suspense is almost intoerable. The
people show the utmost impatieEce to hear the
statement of the British government in Par
lament.
Gases are being sent to Helsingfore, the cap
ital of Finland, in which 10 pack and remove
the archives of the Senate and the collections
of the museum. The coast of Finland is be-
ing rapidly put in state of defence.
VIENNA, April 28.-A despatch to the ALI
gemeine. Zeitung, from Riga, says it is report.
ed there that the first division of the Russian
army has been secretly modified and ordered
to defend CIonstadt Thirty three corn laden
vessels have left the port of Riga during the
past two weeks. The vessels remaining at Ri
ga and other Russian ports on the Baltic are
striving to complete their cargoes so as to be
ready for immediate departure.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 28.-Seven millions
of roubles in gold have been sent to Central
Asia. A lecture by Capt Tarakhoff of the
Guards is much commented upon. The
speaker referred to the eventual conquest of
the Afghans as one which would be as difficult
as the conquest of the Caucasus has been.
1t is estimated that the Ameer's forces num-
Der $4,000 men, with sixty guns.
aif fho Epla Al I,
made proposals to equip privateers, nor have
Finnish sailors offered to man Russian priva-
teers.
BREMEN, April 2S.-The Wser-Zeitung says
that doubtless there are enterprising Americans
who are willing to fit out privateers against
England, bat where are their chances of profit?
They can only sell their prizes in Russian ports
which will all be closed.
CoNsTANTNoPLE, April 28.-The Porte is
undecided as to its course in the event of an
Anglo Russian war. 1t is expected however
that the Porte will only make formal protest
against the passage of the English fleet through
the Dardanelles.
PARIS, April pa despatch to the Temps,
from Berlin, states that the royal families of
England and Prussia have opened correspon-
dence upon the subject of mediation.
PORT SAID, April 2S.-A Russian man-of-
war has arrived at Suez.
LONDON, April 2S.-Gladstone stated in the
House of Commons this afternoon that the
government had received no confirmation OF
the battle reported having recently occurred
between the Russians and Afghans with vic
tory for the latter.
Mr.. Ellis Ashmedal Bartlett, Conservative
member for Eric, asked whether Russia had
withdrawn from the undertaking to occQpy
Herat, and MIR. Gladstone replied, no,
special dispatch from Tirpul, dated April
10th, says that the Russians occupy Ak Tepe
q Iry at L. -
road from PeDjdeh to Herat.
The commissary department of the Indian
army has completed arrangements for furnish
ing transportation and provisions in India for
two army corps.
LONDON, April 2S.-In the House of Com.
mons on Monday evening, in committee Of
supply, tho vote OF credit as a whole being up
Gladstone proceeded to explain the govern.
ment's object in asking for it. He disposed Of
any probable discussion OF the Soudan ques.
tion by short and powerful argument, urging
that it was now the paramount duty of the
government "to hold the British forces in the
Soudan availacle for service wherever the cal
OF duty and honor may take them in the ser
vice OF the British empire" This utterance
was received with cheers Mr.. Gladstone con-
tinued:
81 now come to the subject Of special prepa
rations with regard to which 1 have heard
with great satisfaction the assurances of the
honorable gentlemen opposed to the govern.
ment that they are disposed to forward in
every way the grant of funds to us, (Cheers
from the opposition side), which to the best Of
our mind and judgment are required for the
maintenance of what 1, on former occasion
described as a national and imperial policy
(Oheers). Certainly an adequate sense of o1l
| obligations to our Indian empire has never
| yet been exclusively claimed bS any one party
| In the State 1t is an imperial policy in which
| we are engaged In respect to this vote have
| heard that there are comments on its small.
| ness, but it is the largest vote of credit which
has been asked for within the last sevent,
| years, except that in the Crimean war. Con
slider what Is the present position and what Ii
the mode OF conduct of the government adapt
| cd to that position. SIT is not a case 81 war
| NO war Il before us, actual, or I may even
| perhaps, say proximate. Though am slow t.
| deal with epithets, which are of course liable
| to some latitude of Interpretation, am no
called on to define, and / would find great diff
| hculty in defining since it does not stand OF
| any choice OF mine or of my colleagues thu
| degree OF danger that may be before us. WI
| have labored, and we continue to labor for al
| honorable settlement by pacific means (cheers)
| but one thing / will venture t.
say with regard to that sad contin
gency-aU outbreak of war or ruptur
| of the relations between two great powers lik
Russia and England, one thing will say witt
| great strength OF conviction and great earnest
| ness in my endeavor to impress il upon tn,
committee, that we will strive TO conduct our