Morning journal and courier., 1885-04-13
BEGUN BY THE AFGHANS. General Komarof Explains Why H, Attacked the Ameerss Forces-Rus sta Refuses to Yield.

S1d ktG1uBeS GO H1clUs
 ST. PETERSBURG, April 12.-The Praveet elstrenni Viestnik (government messenger published to-day a telegram from General Krmarof explaining the cause of his battle with the Afghans on March 30. On March 25, the dispatch says, the Afghans assembled on the Russian bank of the Rushk river. Being anxious to avoid a conflict Komarof paid no attention to them except to keep a close watch upon their movements. Finding themselves unmolested the Afghans became more bold, accessions to their number from time to time arrived and finally captured a commanding position on the heights, driving back the Russian pickets who occupied it and advancing their own picket line. Kama rolf thereupon requested the Afghan commander to withdraw to the opposite bank of the river. The Afghan leader refused to comply with this request, saying that he was acting entirely upon the advice of British of fcers. A second request couched in the most friendly terms was made, but to this no an swer was returned. Komaroff then hoping to intimidate the Afghans by an aggressive movement advanced part of his army, when the Afghans opened fire upon them The Russians then advanced in force and made short work of the Afghans.
 The Russian press unanimously declares that Komaroffs explanation is sufficient re- ply to England's demand.
 ST. PETERSBURG, April 12.-The arrest of Ayoub Khan, ex-Ameer of Afghanistan, at Teheran, at the instance of the British min ister, has created no little excitement here. The press denounce the arrest as unjustifable and outrageous.
 Work at the imperial arsenals is being pushed as rapidly as possible and @ largely augmented force of artisans is employed night and day. Lieutenant General Obrietch- koff, the conquerer of Moukhtar Pasha in the Russo-Turkish war, will, 1t is said, pro- -ceed at once to Merv to assume command of the Russian army.
 LONDON, April 12-Charles Marvin, the journalist and author of several works on Central Asia, in lecture at Sunderland last night warned the government that in case of war the Russians would probably attempt to blockade the Suez canal either by sinking vessels or blowing up with dynamite certain rocky parts Of the sides or bottom of the canal.
 dispatch received at the war office from Sir Peter Lumsden at Tirpul says the Rus sian army is advancing down the Murghaub river.
 The Observer says the Russian cruisers Nostronia and Petersburg have been passing back and forth through the canal for week past and urges the necessity of watching their movements closely.
 The Daily Telegraph's Berlin dispatch says that General Komaroff has been appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian army in Turkestan and asserts that Russia refuses to yield an inch.
 RAwALPINDI, April 12.-Ameer Abdur- rahman left for Cabul to-day. Previous to his departure grand review of the army took place and the Ameer was invested with the insignia of the order of the grand cross of India He expressed himself greatly pleased with his visit praised the troops and hoped that the friendship between India and Afphanistap might be eternal