Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-14
FOREIGN NEWS.
ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.
kumOrs About the Recent Battle-War
Believed to be Unavoidable-Doi in
PaTliament-A Russian Advance.
ST Prrrpsp,-pc Anr;l 10


Believed to be Unavoidable-Doiu in
PaTliament-A Russian Advance.
ST. PETERSBURG, April l2.
Gen. Komaroff is already called the con-
queror OF the Afgnans. Everyone is elated
at his success and considers the affair a re-
buke to England.
The rumor is current that the conflict be-
tween the Russians and Afghans arose in the
following way. Some of the English officers
stationed at the Afghan outposts, invited
some Russian officers on the other side to
breakfast The Russians were unable to ac-
cept the invitation but they sent an invitation
to an English officer.
The latter accepted, and remained in the
Russian camp until midnight, and then asked
for an escort. Gen. Komaroff disguised some
of his officers as privstes to accompany the
escort with the object of obtaining news of
the Afghan forces. When the escort arrived
at the Afghan camp one of the Russians was
observed taking notes. The Afghans tried
to take them away. struggle ensued, and
a shot was fired, from which side is not
known. The Russian troops were called to
arms, and advanced against the Afghans next
morning.
ODESSA. April l2.
believed to be unavoidable, sooner or later
Russians boast that a railway is being briskly
pushed to Sarakhs. There are already 20,-
900 Russian troops on the Afghan frontier
and there are 10000 more at Farmorocaud
which could be marched to Herat in two or
three weeks. The only possible reliance on
peace is in Gladstone's pacific policy.
BERLIN, April l3.
The government has sent circular to all
Russian newspapers in Germany forbidding
them from publishing any but official reports
concerning the Afghan affairs.
LONDON, April l3.
Charles Morain, journalist and explorer, in
a lecture on the Anglo Russian imbroglio,
warned the government that in case of war
Russia will probably attempt to block the
Suez canal. either by sinking vessels iii the
channel or by blowing up the banks at GER
tain points.
The Observer state that the Russian cruis-
ers, Nastromia and ST. Petersburg have been
passing to and fro in the canal for week
and that their movements require watching
Hone KONG, April II.
1t is reported that Admiral Dowell, COM
manding the English fleets, is closely watch
ing Russian vessels in these waters.
LONDON, April l3. |. p. M.
was issued yesterday, is now in progress.
Nothing is known positively in regard to the
character of the deliberations but the great
war question is believed to be absorbing the
attention of the ministers, and the result of
the council is awaited with anxious eager
ness.
LONDON, April l3.
Instructions have been telegraphed to Sir
Peter Lumsden to transmit to London as
quickly as possible his report, and that of
Capt. Yates of the conflict on the Kushks
river. At various military and naval sta
tions, preparations for war continue to be
vigorously made.
LONDON, April -.
Gladstone, in the House of Commons, this
afternoon, stated that the government, upon
receipt from Russia of Gen. Komaroff s ex-
PLANTATION Of the Penjdeh incident, had tele-
graphed to Sir Peter Lumsden for informa-
ton as to the correctness of the Russian
commanders justification of his conduct in
attacking the AfghaDs,
Explaining the delay of the government in
reaching a final decision with Russia, Glad
stone said the reports of the Russian officers
who took part in the battle and those of the
English officers who witnessed the engage
ment, differed SO greatly in substance and
effect that the government felt Obliged to
make an independent inquiry. This was
proceeding now, and the government was do
ing everything iii its power towards ascer-
tanning the facts.
Mr. Gladstone also stated that General
Komarof s report of the recent battle be-
tween the Russians AMI Afghans had been
telegraphed to Sir Peter Lumsden, hut no re-
ply has, as yet been received from the British
commissioner. Russia had, the premier ad-
mitted, failed to answer the material parts of
the English communication sent on the day
of the receipt of the news of the battle.
The government has ordered the transtor-
nation of the steamship Oregon into man
of-war, inst, al IF Il tioop-ship, as at first in
tended.
Gen Komarof' exclamation is regarded
as inadequate in official circles. Earl Gran
vile. British foreign minister, Immediately
after the adjournment of tOday's cabinet
meeting, had interviews with Fehua Pasha,
special envoy for Turkey, and Count Kar
Olyi, the Austrian ambassador.
RAwAL PINDI, April l3.
Earl Duferin has gone to LAHORE to meet
the Muhrajah of Cashmere
ST. PETERSBURG, April.
The Official Messenger today publishes
further communication from Gen. Komaroff
regarding the recent battle between the Rus
sins and Afghans on the Kushk river. He
asserts in this telegram that the menacing at
titude of the Afghans in advancing so close
to his lines and occupying several available
positions, together with the refusal of the
Afghan commander to his protests, made him
expect that the Afghans contemplated max
ing an attack on his lines.
LONDON, April l3.
Sir Peter Lumsden has occupied a strong
position al Tipul. He is believed to be able
to prevent the Russians from attempting
coup de main in the direction of Herat.
In the House of Commons today Mr.. Glad
stone stated that the government was aware
Of the rumors that the Russians had ad-
vanced to the Murgheb river, but nothing Of
fetal on the subject has been received. He
expected to soon receive further communi-
cations about Komaroff's action from NJ. DE
Giers, Russian foreign minister.
The House, after rejecting an amendment
offered by Labouchere, that England at once
evacuate the Soudan, agreed to reply to the
Queens message calling out the reserves.
In the House of Lords, Earl Salisbury
asked if the government had heard of the
report of another battle between the Russians
and Afghans. Earl Granville replied that
there was nothing to add to the official state
ments made by Gladstone in the House of
Commons.
Lord DIFFERING has informed the govern
ment that the Ameer consents to the massage