Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-04-16
THE WAN BEGUN.


positions of the Afghans OF tine hushk river
on March 30th. The attack was made on
both sides the river. The Afghan forces
numbered 1000 and they had
eight cannon. They stubbornly re-
sisted but were driven out Of their
positions. The weather was wet rendering
their muzze-loaders useless. Two com
panies held one position against
the Russians until its defenders
were killed. The Afghans retreated
to Maranchak in perfect order and
the Russians made no pursuit. The Eng
lish officers remained until the Afghans
effected their retreat, when they joined the
camp of Sir Peter Lumsden The Afghans
lost $40 men killed and wounded, all their
artillery, two standards and their entire
camp equipage and provisions. The Rus
SLAMS lost one officer and 10 soldiers Killed
and three subalterns and 20 soldiers
wounded. After the lighting General Kama
rolf returned aeross the riverto his original
position.
Sr. PETERSBURG, April 9.-General Kam-
aroff reports that some British officers, who
had been eye witnesses but not participants
in the engagement on the kushk river
appealed 10 the Russians for protection
when they saw the Afghans were beaten.
But unfortunately, he says, II convoy which
he Immediately dispatched to the relief OF
the officers was unable to overtake the
Afghan cavalry, who carried the British
away with them in their flight.
LONDON, April 0.-Baron DeStaal, Russian
ambassador, believes that the fighting was
more serious than dispatches indicate.
NJ. Lessar, special Russian commissioner,
expresses the opinion that the battle was
brought about by the Afghans attacking
Russian pickets and driving them from
their posts. This he thinks would have
caused Russians to retaliate and thus u
general fight would be brought on. He
still has hopes that the boundary question
may find pacific settlement.
LONDON, April 9.-The Telegraph has u
dispatch from Allahabad which says General
Kamaroff after his victory occupied Penjdeh
which has long been an Afghan garrison.
ST.. PETERSBURG, April 10.-The Journal de
81. Petersburg says Gen. Komaroif's return
within his lines after driving off the Afghans
indicates that the Russian attack was caused
by the hostile acts Of the Afghans. Thus
the affair was only an accidental conflict,
such as is very difficult to avoid when one
considers the strained situation aud the close
proximity ofthe opposing forces The Journal
however, sees no reason for regarding a
war between Russia and Engllnd us in
evitable and expresses the hope that the
battle OH the Kushk will not interfere with
negotiations now In progress with England
for an amicaDe settlement Of the perpleXing
boundary question. The journal is glad to
near that the British officers who were at
The scene of the battle reached Afghan ter
ritnry in safety.
ST. PETERSBURG, April Newspapers
throughout Russia, with few EXCEPTIONS
commenting on the battle between the Rus
slams and Afghans are very be!lieose in
their utterances, and charge Lord Dufferin
with melting the Afghans to advance upon
Russian territory. The war party endorses
the assertions of the newspapers and is very
pugnacious.
BosToN, April 10.--A private cable dis
patch from London says: cit is reported
that the English ultimatum to Russia is "a
hours in which to recall General Komaroff
or go to war;
Russia, April 10.--In the house of com
mons to-day Mr.. Gladstone said that reply
was received from Russia last night. This
stated that Russia had already asked
General Komaroff to explain his conduct
in attacking the Afghans at Penjdeh.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 1.-THE Journal
de 81. Petersburg, speaking evidently by
official inspiration, says it would have been
preferable for the English to have sus-
pended Judgment until the receipt of more
| complete information. Collisions such as
| that on the Kushk river are always possible
| in the presence of violent and undiscip-
| lined Asiatic population.
The war feeling here is overwhelmingly
strong. When the Car appeared at the
theatre last night the audience arose and
| shook the building with an ovation of APP
| plause.
ST.. PETERsBuRa, April 12.-The Official
| Messenger publishes the following tele-
gram from General Komaroff, dated April
| lst On the 25th of March our detach.
ment approached Dash Kepri. When
near the bridge we saw an entrenchment
| occupied by Afghans. In order to avoid
a conflict stationed my troops five versts
| IA little over three miles from the
Afghan position. Negotiations with Capt
| Tate Ia member of Sir Peter Lumsden't
force commenced on the 26th. Wher
the Afghans became convinced that We
had no intention of attacking them they
daily drew near to our camp.
On the 9th they dispatched against {
company of ours covering a reconnoiter
ing party three companies, with n gun
and some cavalry. Next day, their au
dacity and arrogance increasing, they
occupied high and commanding position
on the left flank of our camp, mad,
entertainments and placed II cavalry pos
in the rear of our line and n picket within
grlnshot of our fort. On the 29th l sent
the Afghan commander an energetic sum
mons TO evacuate the left bank of the
| huSllk uul ille ilbilt Diliih vi tll6 hiHl Biihl
MS far Ms the mouth of the Kushl. IL,
replied that, acting ON the advice Of til,
English he would not retire beyond TIL,
Kushk. then sent him private letter
couched in amicable terms, On the Both
in order to support my demand,
marched with my detachment against TIN
Afghan position, still expecting n paciti
issue; but fire from the Afghan artiller,
and an attack of their cavalry compelled
me to accept combat.
The Russian minister of war has sen
n congratulatory message to Genera
Komaroff, and has directed him TO than
the troops, in the name of the Gar, an
to announce TO them that all who too
part in the battle will he rewarded accord
ing to their rank.
IiERLIN, April 12.-It isreported that
council of war has heen held Mt 81. Peters
burg, ut which the Gar presided, and tina
commander-in-chief in Turkestan, and In
issued orders to push $4,000 troops fol
ward to the Afghan border.
y. BERLIN, April lit is reported hel
that Turkey has decided, under Primo
Bismarck's advice, to remain neutral
! the event of war between England an
Russia.
! LONDON, April 12.-The Ameer upo
leaving Rawal-Pindi, expressed himse
MS certain that the whole of Afghanista
will welcome the assistance of British an
Indian troops TO repel Russia.
9 Mr.. Gladstone informed Parliamel
Monday that the government was Iii
/. satisfied with General Komaroff's eXpl
nation of the battle of Kushk and hg
telegraphed to Sir Peter Lumsden fl
full particulars.
: In reply to Lord Snlisbury's questic
/, as to the truth of rumors of anoth
e battle in Afghanistan, Lord Granyil
s said he had nothing to add TO Mr.. Ola
e stones official statements in the 9th
IS | house.
l. Sir Stafford Northcote announced tn
e the Conservatives would not oppose Il
e government vote of credit for militia
IS purposes.
i The Prince and Princess Of Wales Il
}. Dublin Monday for Mnllow. AT t
latter place their royal highnesses we
seriously threatened by an angry IN
who We're dispersed ut the point of I
rs bayonet.
It The news from the Soudan denotes IL
}. inactivity and WEAKNESS exist ON be
5. the English and Arab sides of t
ct struggle.
le A dispatch from Hanoi says the Chine
re forces in Tonquin have received orders
L. to cease hustilities.
Admiral Sir George Sartorius,
English officer who saved the Unit
States steamship Missouri from burnii
ID is dead.
lis News has been received from Askal