St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-22

make peace impossible. 1t is believed Sir
Peter Lumsden'S dispatch is certain to in
tiuence the British war feeling to an alarm
ing degree. Despite the fact that the credit
of S55, 900, 600 means an increase of 6
pence in the income tax it is undoubtedly
true that the bulk of the conservative and
liberal members of the house of commons
will vote for the credit cheerfully.
THE ENGLISH VERSION.
Sir Peter Lumsden'S dispatch in reply to
the government inquiry as to the correct
ness Of Gen. Komaroffs S report of the en-
counter between the Russians and AfghanS
on Kushk river, is dated Tiapul April II,
and is addressed to Earl Granville The
dispatch reads: ''Gen. KomarOff's account
of the attack on Penjdeh is considered in
correct" Gen. Komaroff says: ''On the
25th OF March one detachment approached
Tash Kepri on our bank of Kushk river and
Reply: fash Kepri is Kurt, for Pull
Khiste and Gen. KOmaroff's claim to either
bank of the Kushk river is untenable. The
left bank has always been held by the
Afghans, and was never subject to Russian
occupants. On the goth of February the
Russians located an outpost ..of twenty-five
TurcOmanS at Kizil-TeplmOund, one mile
north of Pul-I-Khisti and about one mile
from the nearest point on Kushk river
and KuShk's junction with Mury-
hab river. This had always re-
manned the extreme limit. The
Russian cavalry detachment alluded to adj
Yanced against Pul-I-KhiSti March 25, but
they retired before reaching there when
warned by the Afghan commapder, as they
I, Il H,o L
states that near the bridge he found an in
trenchment occupied by the Afghans. [
reply that this position was Occu4R by the
AfghanS previous to Gen. Komaroff's adj
vance: Gen. Komaroff says: when the
AfghanS were convinced we had no inten-
ton of attacking them they began to come
daily
NEARER TO OUR CAMP"
1 reply that far from the Afghans being
convinced of Gen. Komaroff'S innocent in
tentions, he continued irritating and made
daily attempts to provoke hostility, con-
yincing the Afghans that the Russians were
determined to provoke conflict This in
duced the Afghans to what appeared
military necessity in extending their defen-
Sive position. On the 27th
two bodies of Russians simulta-
neously advanced upon Col. Altikanoff
with cavalry, pushed past Pul-I-Khist with
the Russian infantry, and penetrated the
right flank of the Afghan position on the
right bank of NIurghab. Col. Altikanoff
only retired when interpreted by the At
ghanS. The cavalry was four miles in the
rear of the Afghan position. The Russian
infantry only retired when the Afghan
commander drew up his companies, warning
the Russian officer that if he advanced
further he would be fired upon
Gen. KOmaroff says that on the 2Sth Af-
ghans occupied the height commanding the
left flank of the Russian camp, and began
throwing up an intrenchnent there to
establish post of cavalry behind the Rus
sian line, and placed the picket line within
gunshot distance. l reply that the Afghan
commander did, on the 2Sth, after the
HOSTILE Reconnaissance
on the 27th, place post of observation on
hills on the right bank of the NIurghab
river for the purpose of giving notice to any
fresh Russian advance, but the post was
withdrawn the next day. Gen. Komaroff
says ne addressed a private letter, couched
in friendly terms, asking that the Afghans
retire. In reply L say the letter
in question was never sent by
any officer of commission, but
Capt Delashoe was told letter had been
received few hours before the Russian at
tack on the 30th. 1 have now called upon
Sepch Salas for copy of the letter. Gen.
Komaroff states: son the 30th, to support
my demand, l marched with my detach-
ment against the Afghans' position, count
ing still on a pacific result, but the artillery
fire and cavalry attack compelled me to
accept combat" In reply L say the
Russians advanced to attack the Afghan
position, and, of course, the Afghans were
obliged to defend themselves. Certainly
the engagement was not commenced by the
artillery fire, as Gen. Komaroff stated, as
the infantry fire was heard continuing sev-
eral minutes before the first gun.
VIOLATING THE TREATY.
In defiance of her treaty stipulation with
England Turkey and other powers, Russia
is strongly fortifying Batoum, on the east
ern coast Of the Black sea. The place is
now flooded with guns and munitions of
war, and large corps of infantry and cav
airy guards the railway from PalO. on the
coast, to Tilis the capital of Transcaucasia.
This railway is of great value in transport
ing troops from the Black sea to the Cas-
plan. on the way from European Russia to
AfghaniStan.
LATE IN THE DAY.