The Portland daily press., 1885-03-26
THE OLD WORLD.
An Alliance Between Turkey and
Russia Decided On.
Excitement in English Ministerial Cir
cles at the Alarming Prospect.
War Between Russia and England
Considered Imminent.
English Losses In Sundays Battle Much
Greater than First Reported.
Affairs in Egxnt

SUAKIA March 25.-Gen. Sir Gerald Graham
has moved the headquarters of his camp two miles
nearer to Tamai. A convoy of Indian troops went
| this forenoon to Gen. McNeirs zereba on the
Tamai road. This convoy acted escort for the
| balloon corps. The balloon corps Immediately set
| to work taking observations. They sent up from
| the zereba captive balloon which remained up
several hours. The observers descended with valu-
| able information concerning the positions and
movements Of Osman Digna's men. This mornings
work shows thar the balloon corps will be inValu-
| able in the work of assisting Gen. Graham to make
| his for ward movements precisely.
The grenadier guards have gone to Hasheen to
| escort the Surrey egiment back to Suakim.
The British camps not disturbed by the
enemy last night. Skirmishers have been sent out
on the way to Tamai The general advance, which
was to take place Sunday, will now, it is thought
sake place tomorrow.
Gen. Graham has telegraphed to the government
at London that the Guards and Marines showed
great steadiness under fire during the recent haras
sing engagements. The cavalry, also, Gen. Graham
says, behaved well. They dismounted and checked
the enemy's advance by frequent volleys.
SYDNEY March 25.-The New South Wales legis-
lative council and legislative assembly have ap-
proved of the dispatch of the colonial contingent to
the Soudan.
SUAKIM, March 25.-The grensdiers and Surrey
regiment reached Suakim without loss, although
they exchanged shots with hostile Arabs on the
way. The Arabs lost 400 men in yesterdays skirm.
ish.
The British losses in last Sundays battle are
much greater than at first reported. Gen. Graham
to-day telegraphed the home government that he
fears he must add to the list of that days killed 3S
men who still missing from the Sikhs, Indian
4 large number of cames and mules laden with
baggage broke away during the skirmshes Yester-
day and were captured by the rebels.
Some of the tribes which have hitherto been un-
der the control Of Osman Digna are parleying for
Latest returns place the number of killed and
wounded in Sundays battle at $50 including the
camp followers.
Russia and England.
LONDON, March 25.-The tension between Russia
and England over the Afghan question was in
creased, and the stock market ia excited. Consols
are one half and Russian securities one per cent
lower than last evening.
1t has been definitely ascertained that the Porte
has asked Prince Bismarck for his advice concern
ing the advisability of alliance between Turkey
and Russia against England.
The feeling of alarm in ministerial circles at the
prospect of Turco-Russian alliance can hardly be
exaggerated. Lord Granville, minister for foreign
affairs has had special interviews to-day with boJh
Musurns Pasha, the Turkish minister, and Tehmi
Pasha, the special envoy of the Turkish govern
ment to England. In consequence of the critical
turn which the Afghan Question has taken securi-
Ties of all descriptions are weak. Consos fall
ing rapidly, and at this hour are quoted at 81 1-S
This is drop Of 3-S per cent. within an hour and
is looked upon conclusive evidence that news of
the graVes5 character may be made public at any
moment.
The cabinet held special session this afternoon
on the Afghan difficulty and it resolved to
firmly demand of Russia that she commence forth
with the work of demtating the Afghan frontier
in accordance with the understanding under which
Sir Peter Lumsden and the British surveying party
have passed many months in the Ameers
dominion. All officers belonging to the British
Indian army and now in Europe on furlough have
been ordered to rejoia their regiments Immediately.
The stock market at its close was depressed un-
der the influence OF the preparations for war. All
the continental bourses sympathizod with inan-
cal situation in London and prices towards the
close were fiat.
PARIS, March 25.-The LIE Temps considers war
between Russia and England to be imminent
LONDON March 25.-Sir Edward Thornton Brit
ish ambassador at st. Petersburg, has been In
sructed to press the Russian government for a re-
ply to Earl Granvie's proposal of the 10th regard
days council was called to consider dispatches
from Earl Dutferin forwarding the demand of the
Ameer Of Afghanistan for the Immediate grant
and rumors that The Ameer had received
overtures from Russia offering favorable terms for
an alliance. The cabinet decided to intrust Earl
Duiferin with plenary power to arrange terms with
An additional force of 10000 Russian troops is
proceeding from Caucasus to the Afghanistan
The Persian newspaper Schemes reports that the
Khan of Bokh ara has granted to Russia permission
to convey troops from Turkestan across Bokhara to
the Afghan frontier and to purchase supplies in
Bokhara. The Khan is father-in-law of the Ameer
of Afghanistan.
Polish newspapers print dispatches from St.
Petersburg stating that council of Russian gene
rails including the Grand Dukes Nicholas Vladimir
Peter and George has been summond to consider
in Central Asia in the event OF war whore fodder
and water scarce.
Mr. LOwelPs Opinion of Eais Successor.
LONDON, March 25.-Ths Pail Mall Gazette, this
afternoon, publishes statement by Mr.. james
Russell Lowell concerning the character and at
tributes of his successor, Mr.. Edward j. Phelps Of
which the following is the substances: president
Cleveland is the last mar to make an incoAsderate
appointment to any office, especially to that of
minister TO England. Mr.. Phelps is a man of high
character, marked independence, and most agree
able social qualities. The change was unavoidable
and both countries are to be congratulated on Mr..
Clevelands wisdom, as shown in his selection of Mr..
Phelps as my successor"
Parliament Proceedings.
In the House of Commons to-day Sir Charles
Dixie, president of the local government board,
stated that the government had not to-day received
any news from Russia concerning the pending nego-
dations in regard to the Afghan boundary dispute.
Gable Notes.
The Cologne Gazette says that the reason the
English flag was removed at Victoria, on the west
coast Of Africa, was that the English had ceded the
territory to Germany.