The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-04-20
RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.
A Battle with the AfgiIamS-Tse Brit
ism Ministry Remain Fjrm-Entense
Excitement ia Public and Private.
THE RUSSIAN STORY.

/ General Komaroff reports that in conse-
qUence of hostile manifestations by the
AfghanS he was compelled to attack them.
The Afghans were posted on both banks of
the river Kuskh, in fortified positions. The
| fight occurred on March 30th. The Afghan
force consisted of 1000 men, With eight
guns. They were defeated with the loss of
500 men, all their artillery, two standard
| banners and their entire camp outfit. All
the provisions of the Afghans were captured.
The Russian loss was three subalterns and
ten soldiers killed and twenty-nine wound
ed When the fighting was ended General
KomarOf returned across the river to the
position he had formerly occupied. Some
of the British officers were eye-witnesses,
but did not participate in the engagement.
They appealed to the Russians for protection
when they saw that the Afghans were
beaten, but unfortunately, he says, the con-
voy which he Immediately dispatched to the
relief of these officers was unable to over
throw the Afghan cavalry, who carried the
British away with them in their flight. The
Russian force consisted of two battalions of
regulars, some Cossacks and Colonel Alik-
hanofs Turcoman militia, numbering in
all 10 900 men.
THE BRITISH ACCOUNT.
The Russians, while making pretext of
changing the position of their outposts of
the Afghan frontier, attacked Penjdeh
March 3Oth and drove the Afgnans ont of
their position. The Afghans stubborniy re-
sisted their assailants. The weather was
wet at the time of the attack, which rem
dered the mUzzle-loading guns of the Al
ghans useless. Two companies held one
position against the Russians until its de-
tenders were all killed. The Afghans re-
treated to Marauchak in perfect order. The
Russians made no pursuit. The Sarahks
remain neutral, but plundered the Afghans'
camp The Russian losses are said to be
great. The British officers remained until
the Afghans effected their retreat, when
they joined the camp of Sir Peter Lumsden.
WHAT GLADSTONE SAID.
Gladstone said that England had kept
her part of the agreement with Russia up
to March 30th at least. The Afghans made
no advance nor any forward movement Of
any kind, so far as the information possessed
by the Ministers went The Government
must regard the attack by the Russians up
on Penideh as unprovoked. The Govern
ment had asked an explanation of this at
tack from Russia, bnt sufficient time had
not vet elapsed for the receipt of an answer.
Sir Edward Thornton, British ambassador to
St. Petersburg had, however, last night
telegraphed that De Giers, the Russian
Prime Minister, had expressed for himself
and for the Gar the earnest hope that this
unhappy incident might not prevent a con-
tinuation of negotiations for peace. This
remark was greeted with shouts of derisive
laughter
CABINET COUNCIL.
A special Cabinet Council was held when
the Cabinet discussed the question of at
once sending the six irOnclads now at
Malta 10 the Dardanelles. The Cabinet
sat for two hours. Earl Granville, British
Foreign Minister, after adjournment, had
Separate interviews with Musurus Pasha,
Turkish ambassador to London, and
Baron De Stael, ambassador from Russia
ODDS AND ENDS.
There is great agitation IN all Govern
ment departments; 10000 re-enforcements
will be at once sent to India. The first
army reserve will be called out Immediately
The anti-Russian feeling in both parties |
in the House of Commons amounts to a |
passion. II Russia S explanation of the at |
tack on the Afghans be delayed or be in |
complete. the British Government will be |
forced to declare war or resign. The Brit |