The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-04-22

from mlllIary reasons. In regard TO Jne lnte-
rlor steps in the Soudsn government, he re-
served entire liberty of action subject to the
Judgment of Parliament.
Sir Stafford Northcote, in the Commons,
SAID he regretted postponement of debate on
the budget, but felt it was inevitable in view
OF the gravity Of the situation. He thought
Ine government was not dealing with the
Soudan question in satisfactory manner, and
said that be would refuse to vote the credit of
$23s5 600 asked without fuller statement
from the government regarding its policy in
the Soudan.
LONDON, April 21.-The lobby was excited
over Mr.. Gladstone's statement in the Com
mons, which is considered to amount to an
evacuation of the Soudan. His repeated refer
ence to the necessity of holding troops in the
Soudan in readiness for service wherever want.
ed indicated that England is on the verge of
war Such words by responsible minister it
is thought will soon make peace impossible. 1t
10 believed that Sir Peter Lumsden's despatch
is certain to influence the British war feeling
to an alarming degree, despite the fact that a
credit of 800, 100000 means an increase of six
pence In the income tax. 1t is undoubtedly
true that the bulk of the Conservatives and
Liberal members of the House of Commons
will vote for the credit cheerfully.
LONDON, April 21.-Sir Peter Lumsden's de-
spatch in reply to the governments inquiry as
to the correctness of Gen. Komaroff's report of
the encounter between the Russian and At
CHAN forces, reads:
"Gen. Komaroff's account of the attack on
Penjdeh is considered incorrect. Gen. Koma-
rolf says, 'On the 25th OF March one detach-
ment approached Tash Kepri on our bank of
Kushk river The reply says, 'Tashk-Kepri
is Kurti for Pul-i-Khisti. Gen. Komaroff's
claim to either bank of the Kushk Is unten-
able. The left bank has always been held by
Afghans and was never subject to Russian oc-
cupation. On this bridge he found an intrench-
ment occupied by Afghans, and this position
was occupied by Afghans previous to Koma-
roff's advance and to the agreement of March
17th.
Gen. Komaroff says: "When the Afghans
were convinced that we had no intention Of
attacking them they began to come daily
nearer our camp. In reply it says: "Far
from the Afghans being convinced of Koma-
roff's innocent intent continued daily at
Afghans that the Russians were determined to
provoke conflict This induced the Afghans
to do what appeared a military necessity in
extending their defensive positions Gen.
Komaroff states that on the 9th of March
Afghans were sent against one company which
was charged with covering a reconnaissance,
three companies with cannon and some caval-
ry. In reply to this l say, "The reconnaissance
in force itself meant hostile intention. On
the 9th two bodies of Russians simultaneously
advanced. Col. Alikhanoff, with the cavalry
pushed past Pul-I-Izhisti, and the Russian
infantry penetrated the right flank of the At
CHAN position on the right bank of the Muir
ghab. These only retired when intercepted by
Afghans. The Afghan commander viewed
this in most serious light.
Gen.. Komaroff states that the arrogance
and audacity OF the Afehans increased BY de-
grees. l reply that it may have been so but il
SO it was entirely caused by Russian action
Afghans did their utmost to avoid a collision
The Afghan commander did on the 28th, after
hostile reconnaissance on the 9th, place a post
OF observation on the hills on the right bank Of
the Murghab river for the purpose of giving
notice of any fresh Russian advance, but the
post was withdrawn next day.
Komaroff says that on the 29th he sent to the
Afghan commander an energetic, summons
etc., and received an answer that by the advice
of the English he (the Afghan commander) re-
fused to retire across the Kush river. In reply
to this may state that the fact itself is report.
ed to me to be totally incorrect.
General KomaroH says he again addressed
a private letter couched in friendly terms. In
reply say-the letter in question was never
Seen by any officer of the commission but
Captain Delashoe was told letter had been
received few hours before the Russian attack
on the Both. have now called on Sepoh Sailor
for copy of the second letter.
General Komaroff states: On the Both, to
support my demands, marched with nv de-
tachment against the Afghans' position,
counting still on a pacific result, but their
artillery fire and cavalry compelled me to ac-
advanced to attack the Afghan position, and
of course the Afghans were obliged to defend
themselves. Certainly the engagement was
not commenced by an artillery FIRE as General
continuing several minutes before the first gun.
LONDON, April 21.-The war office has issued
a notice calling out the first class of the army
reserves, comprising fifteen regiments for i'm
mediate and permanent service
The government has sent an important
fpf, IA Rrsf ftah
ambassador at St Petersburg. for immediate
delivery to the Russian government
What the Papers Say.
Moscow, April 2I.-The Gazette in signif-
cant article on the Anglo-Russian dispute, de-
scribes the attitude which has been maintain
ed by the Earl of Dufferin during the contro-
yersy as sufficient cdsus beHt, The Gazette
also denounces England's action in occupying
Port Hamilton Island in the Corean Archi.
pelago for the purpose of controlling the en-
trance to the Sea Of Japan and route to the
Russian Pacific ports, and declares that unless
England surrenders her occupation of this
island, war between Great Britain and Russia
will be inevitable.
VIENNA, April 21.-The Correspondence
Politique states that the real points OF diff
Guilty between England and Russia ara the
bridges at Pul Khisti and Ak Tebe. which i
command Herat and which Russia insists upon
retaining.
LONDONs april zl.-Ih0 Standard believes
that the constant communication between
France and Russia within the asst few days.
has been with the object of creating the erest.
est pressure against England in order that sha
may succumb to Russia's demands.
ST.. PETERSBURG, April 21.-The Journal de
st. Petersburg insists that the accounts of the
bate on the Kushsk river made by General
Komaroff and Sir Peter Lumsden, agree, not
withstanding English opinions to the contrary.
1t says that detailed statement of the affair
from General Komaroff cannot be had for sew
eral weeks.
The Novoe Vremya says that the exchange
has again fallen and that the war cloud is
advancing.
The Warsaw Tagblatt announces that it is
the intention of Russia to capture and fortify
Herat. and says that the damage that would
thus be done to India would far exceed the
losses that the commerce of Russia would sus.
tain by the blockade of her ports.