Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-30
MARUCHEIps IMPORTANCE.
Russia's Occupation of the Town a Di
rect hreach of Faith.

Russia's Occupation of the Town Di-
rect Brsaoh of Faith.
LONDON, April 29.-During the meeting
at Rawal Pindi, the Ameer told Earl
Dutferin that though he regarded the oc-
cupation of Pendjeh of little consequence,
yet he attached the greatest Importance
to the retention of Maruchek, which is
half way between Pendieh and Bala Murg-
hab. Once the Russians gain that point
they will be able to threaten Balkh and
cut on communication with Cabul. The
latest Russian advance is expected TO
bring the question to a crisis. Current
opinion is that Russia is really preparing
for war much more rapidly than she ap-
pears to be. Russian papers are being
warned to secrecy. 1t Is reported that
the Khan of Bokhara earnestly warned
the Ameer not to neglect Cabul and Balkh
while taking steps to protect Herat. as a
Russian army was massing in Turkestan,
near Samarcand, with the intention of
marching on Balkh and prOclaiming
Ayoub Khan Ameer while the Afghan
army was engaged at Herat.
This letter TO the Ameer concludes: 'I
know for certain that the Russians in
tend not to march beyond Herat, but will
cut OFF your line of retreat to Cabul and
England's line of retreat to Candahar."
FEELING OF THE AFGHANs.
A dispatch from Tirpul states that Gen.
KomarOf having written an open letter to
the Afghans. in which he expressed sur
prise at their conduct in forcing him to
wage battle against them, the Afghans
have become indignant at what they term
the Russian commanders impudence. and
are becoming more cordial toward the
British. 1t is stated that the pOpulace of
Herat, however, appear to be just as we'll
inclined towards Russia as towards Eng
land, and the question as 10 which power
they would lenG their assistance in the
event Of war is declared TO be at present
in absolute doubt.
THE OCCUPATIONS SIGNIFICANCE.
The Standard in an editorial referring
TO the occupation of Maruchak by the
Russians says: "There can be no ques-
tiOn Of Afghan prOyocation in this in
stance. The occupation of Maruchak
stands out broadly and undisguisedlv as
a clear invasion of the territory OF Afghan
istan without even a pretense of Mill
taTy necessity. Assuming that the news
of the occupation of Meruch elI is correct,
there is little room for doubt that it can
be considered anything else than a delb-
crate act Of aggression, and this act of
dg4THSSlOu NdS lu6 appearance Oh Deln2
specially chosen in order that there nav
be no possibility of further mistake. 1t is
a deliberate breach OF a solemn covenant,
a fragrant violation Of Russia's promises
and assurances"
DE GIERs EXPECTED REPLY.
In ministerial circles the Russian ad-
vance to Maruchak is not considered as
altering the diplomatic position. No ac-
tiOn will be taken until NJ. de Giers re-
spends to Earl GranVille's demand for an
arbitration inquiry. 1t is expected that
NJ. de Giers' reply will not reach the Rus
sian embassy here before Monday, and
that it will be a refusal to accede to Earl
Granville's demand, accompanied by
counter proposals. A semi-otticial COM
municatiOn received through the Russian
embassy explains that Maruchek is part
Of the oasis Of Pendjeh within the line of
frontier claimed by Russia, and no for
tress of the Afghans. 1t was made a
Russian outpost week after the battle
Of Pendjeh.
AN EXPLANATION ASKED.
The government has asked Russia to
explain the advance on Maruchek. Pre-
mier Gladstone will probably make a
statement in the House Of Commons to-
morrow night in regard to the matter.
The government is in constant cOmmuni-
cation with Persia regarding her present
relations with Russia.
A wARLIKE STAND.
A dispatch 10 La Independence Beige, of
Brussels, from St. Petersburg saws:
''After the council yesterday, at which
N. de Giers' proposals to adopt cOncilia-
tory measures toward England were re-
iected, N. de Giers rendered his resigna-
tiOn as Foreign Minister, but the Car
,snftfeoT IN appeyf - "a Tho pvoeat,t orfsic
ON the arrival of the news Of the Russian
defeat in Afghanistan, the Gar sent a
courier dispatch 10 England in the nature
OF an ultimatum ana signed an order for
the mobilization OF the forces. The In
porial Bank has been ordered 10 provide
the government with 20,000,000 roubles."
The Gar has sent an ultimatum 10
Great Britain. demanding that the Ia tier
snail ACCEPT Russia's proposed boundary
linz between 'rurkestan and Af nanisian.
NJ Grn"f H"'tlln refuse ~ rerpt th-
bound 10 will proc'te TO occupy
Hcrut.
Tie whole Of the military division sta
toned no Odessa has been ordered 10 the
Caspian Sea. The division will be re-
placed by troops from the interior. Half
a million roubles will be devoted 20 the
immediate construction Of defenses COM
maudlng the roads and quarantine here.
Orders have Dcen ISSUED lof the
mobliz tion of the entire Russian
army. Ice is rapidly disappearing from
the harbors OF 70. Petersburg, C0nstadt,
Helsiugfors and Riga.
The Odessa division Of the Russian
army numbering 10000 has been ordered
from the Black Sea 20 the Caspian. The
garris0ns In and around Odessa will bo
replaced by troops from the interior.
The sum Of 100000 roubles (S0lj,0OO)
has been awarded to complete the defense
Of odessa.
Two hundred workmen have been sent
10 sweaborg 70 strengthen the military
defenses at that post. The government Is
buyi X coal abroad at any price, and Is
engaging the services Of large number
OF laborers.
PRESSING IN EVERY AVAILABLE MAN.
Military orders have been Issued calling
into service all men liable 20 duty in the
first reserve.
The Helsrngfors DaQbiad thinks that
Russia has little power TO hurt England
seriously upon the sea. The paper says
that the Russian iortrcsse8 on the Baltic