New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-31
PUSST4 AND AFGHANISTAN.

Russian diplomacy has scored an important sue
cess in Afghanistan If it has failed to carry ITS
poiut In deposing Prince Alexander and recovering
ITS influence in Bulgaria. After the conquest Of
Merv and the extension Of Colonel Allkhanoh's
outposts to Sarakhs, the Foreign Office proposed a
ioint Boundary Commission for the delnitatlon OF
the Afghan frontier. The British Government con-
sented to cooperate in this work and dispatched
Sir Peter Lumsden with large staff of officers and
surveyors TO Western Afghanistan. The Russian
Commissioners did not receive orders to 90 to the
frontier and General Komarof was left
at liberty to advance his outposts. Pcnj-
Deb had previously been occupied by
the Ameers forces. Colonel AlikhanoR
appeared before the fort in the hope of exciting a
Turcoman uprising against the garrison. and fall
ing in this pushed forward his forces by stealthy
approaches toward PeDjdeh and Zulhkar-tho real
gates of Herat. SIR Peter Lumsden informed the
British Government of these advances and the di-
plOmatic negotiations began. Lord Granville de-
manded that the outposts should be withdrawn
from debatabe points; NJ de Giers would not con-
sent TO this; and Lord Granville reiterated the in
teuton of the British Government to secure for the
Ameer Ali the territory to which he justly en-
1itled On March 10 Mr.. Gladstone informed the
Commons that Russia had agreed that there should
be no advance pending the final decision OF the
commission. NJ de Giers had accepted thus arrange
ment however, with the reservation, unless in the
case of some extraordinary reason SUCH for in
stance as a disturbance at Penjdeh. Within
a fortnight there was battle at Pul-l-Khisti in
which the Afghan troops were defeated by the
Russians with great loss, and Penideh was occu-
pied.
This breach of faith was accepted throughout
Europe as a cause of war. especially rs extensive
military preparations had been made on both Sides
There had been a continuous movement Of Russian
troops fromthe Caucasus to the Afghan frontier
and the war party was uppemOst in 81. Petersburg
Two camps had been formed on the Afghan-lndian
frontier and an army of reserves was gathering.
The Ameer's forces were preparing for war. In
England the reserves and militia had been called
out the fleet had been put in readiness ana I'M
mense purchases Of war material made. MI. Glad
stone in moving a vote of credit pronounced the
situation critical, although not hopeless. War
seemed inevitable when his speech was made. Yet
within week England proposed and Russia &C
ceptcd arbitration of the Pul-i-khisu battle ana
an agreement was made that the frontier should be
virtually settled in London OH the Russian lines.
This astonishing diplomatic settlement included
the permanent occupation Of Penjdeh by Russia,
the retention Of ZulGkar Pass by the Ameer and
the acceptance Of NJ. Lessar's proposed frontier.
The Ameer apparently had been unwilling 10 fight
for Pcaileh aud had informed Lord Duffcrin at
Rawa Pndi that he could not hold himself respon-
sibe for the conduct Of his people, if the British
were 10 return TO Candahar and march to Ileiat.
The Arbitration scheme eventually proved IN ar
thcial device tor covering the retreat OF the DIlts
Ministry. No stress was Land upon 1t IN ne hual
bettlement and Russia was allowed TO retain Inc
teIrltoTy acquired By stealth and breach OF 1alih
Une al OF the two rivals for supremacy
Vaded Atghanistan and secured commanding
positions Ia front Of Herat.