Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-04-22

anart from military reasons. In regard to
Interior steps in the Soudan the Govern
ment reserved entire liberty of action, sub
iect to the Judgment of Parliament
s,cx1rrc,NcE OF GLADsToNE's WORDS.
LONDON, April 21st.-The lobby was ex-
cited over Gladstone's statement III the
House of Commons to-day, which is con-
sidered TO amount to an evacuation OF the
Seudan. His repeated references to the
necessity of holding the troops in the
Soudan in readiness for service wherever
wanted indicate that England is on the
VERGE of war. Such words by a response
ble Minister, it is thought, will soon make
neacc impossible. 1t is believed that Sir
Peter Iiumsdens dispatch is certain to in
fluence the British war feeling to an alarm
ing degree. Despite the fact that the credit
of $50, 000, 900 means an increase OF SIX
pence in the income tax, it is undoubtedly
true that the bulk of the Conservative and
Liberal members OF the House OF Com
mons viii vote for the credit cheerfully.
RUSSIA vrILATING TREATY sTIPULATIoNs.
LONDON, April 21st-In defiance OF her
treaty stipulations with England, Turkey
and other powers, Russia Is strongly iortl-
flying Batoum, on the eastern coast OF the
Black Sea. That point Is now Hooded win
guns and munitions OF war, and a large
corps of infantry and cavalry guards the
railway from Poti, on the coast, 10 Inns,
the capital of Transcaucasla. Tins railway
is of great value in transporting troops
from the Black Sea to the Caspian. on the
way from European Russia to Afghanistan
SIR PETER 1.UMsDEN's DISPATCH IN FULL.
Ky
Iumsden's dispatch, in reply to the Gov
ernments inquiry as to the correctness of
General Komaroff''s report of the encounter
between the Russians and Afghans on the
KIshk river, is dated at Tiapul, April 18th,
and is addressed to Earl Granville. The
dispatch reads
General Komarohs account of the attack on
Penideh is considered incorrect. General Ko-
maroff says: 'On the 25th of March one de-
tachment approached fash Kepri on our bank
of the KuShk river.
Replv: fash Kepri is Murti for Pul-I-Khisti
General Komaroff's claim to either bank OF the
Kushk is untcuabe. The left bank has always
been held by the Afghans, ana was as never yer
subject to Russian occupation. on the
10Th of February the Russians located
an outpost of twenty five Turkomans
a, Kill, Tepe Mound, one mile north OF Pull.
Khisti ana about a mile from the nearest point
on the Kushk river and the kushS S junction
with the Murghab river. This had always re-
manned the extreme limit of the Russian adj
vance within their line of videttes: The Rus
sian cavalry detachment alluded TO did advance
against Pul-i-khisti on March 18th, but thev
retired before reaching there, when warned by
the Afghan commander, as they had been on
February 10th.
Secondly General KomaToff states that near
the bridge he found an intrenchment occupied
by the AfghanS l reply that this position was
occupied by the Afghans previous TO General
Komaroff7s advance, and TO the agreement oil
March 18th.
Thirdly. General Kamaroff says: " In order to
avoid a conflict, placed my troops five yerSts
from the Afghan position In reply TO thts, L
can only refer to the main body, as the RUSSIAN
troops were III Kill Tepe one mile from the Al
CHAN position, and the Russian yidettes were
considerably i'll advance OF that point.
Fourthly, General komaroH says when
the Afghans were convinced that we had no III
tentiou of attacking them, they began TO come
daily nearer to our camp. reply that iar from
the Afghans being convinced OF General hona-
rofl's innocent intentions, they continued lrrl-
tGting daily in attempts to promote hostilltles.
which convinced the Atghans that the russians
were determined to provoke a conflict. THIS IN
duced the Afshans TO what appeared military
necessity in extending their defensive position
Filthy, General Komarof states that on the
9th OF bIarch Afghans were sent against com
pany which was charged with covering recon-
Nuisance of three companies with cannons ana
S me cavalry. In reply 10 this say a recon
noissance in force itself meant hostile lnten-
lions. The Russian company meant 80
men, more than equivalent to the three
Afghan companies, which aggregated $50 men.
On the 9th two bodies of Russians slmutane-
ously advanced. Colonel AlikhanOh with cav
airy, pushed past Pull Khishi The Russian
infantry occupied the right flank OF the Afghan
position on the right bank OF the MlHghab
Colonel Alkhanof only retired when IN
airy was four miles in the rear
of the Afghan position. The Russian
infantry only retired when the Afghan com
mander drew other companies, warning the
would be fired upon. General Komarotf's chief
of staff at an interview had on the 29th. called
Colonel Alkahancf sadyance merely pleasure
trip, but he wa informed that the Afghan com
mander viewed it in the most serious light.
Sixthly General Komarof states that the ar
roeance and audacity of the Atghans increased
by degrees. reply that it may have been so,
but if So it was entirely caused by Russian ac-
ton The AfghanS did their utmost TO avoid
collision. 1t is solely owing TO the11 patience
and forbearance during two months OF lncessant
irritation that peace was preserved so long. The
Afghan commanders courteous reply of March
29th TO General kOmarOf s ultimatum proves
that his wish to the last was 10 avoid a contlct
Seventhly, General hOmaroi says that on tDe
23th the Afghans occupied a height command
ing the left flank of the Russian camp and
began 10 throw up intrenchmentS there TO
establish post Of cavalry behind the Russian
| lines and placed picket within gunshot dis
| lance. I reply that the Afghan commander did
| on the 2Sth after the hostile reconnaissance on
the 9th. place post of observation on the nils
| on the right lauk OF the Murghab river, for the
| Durpose OF giving notice OF any fresh Russian
! advance, but the post was Withdrawn the reXt
| Gay.
29th he Sent TO the Afghan commander an ener-
getic summons. etc, and received an answer
! That BIZ the advice of the English, he (the
Afghan commander) refused to retire across me
! Kushk river. In reply 10 this may state that
| the fact itself is reported to me 70 be
| totally incorrect Nowhere in the Afghan
/. commanders reply is there any such
/. statement On the contrary, the wording is
H distinctly this: have duly received your let
4 ter regarding the withdrawal OF certain pickets.
As had received orders from the Government
at HeTat to consult Captain Yates, who was de-
n puted to Peujdeh BY sir Peter Lumsden, in such
4 matters, ! showed him your letter. Cap
II tain Yates afterwards had an interview with
H Colonel Zadrchcwsti, and informed me of the
II conversation which cnSued. Be 1T known TO yc
h that must Loyalty obey the orders | have re-
Il ceved from his Highuess, the Ameer. l can in
/ DO wise act contrary 10 the orders of my sOyer
4 eign. OF course, III matters of detail, such as
! alterations the position OF advanced pickets
| and videueS, / am prepared to arrange with a
| view to avoid any risk OF concfit.
| Niuthly, General komarod says he again ad-
| dressed Il private letter couchcd i'll friendly
| terms. In reply say that the letter in question
| was never seen by an officer of the Commission,
| but Captain Delashoa was told letter had been
| received four hours before the Russian attack
on the 5Oth. ! have now called upon Sepch
/ Salas for copy of the second letter.
II Tenthly, General komar0ti states: q" On the
5oth, to support my demands, / marched with
/ my detachment against the Afghan position,
counting still on pacific result, but artillery
fire and cavalry attack compelled
me to accept the combat In reply,
| say that the Russians advanced to
attack the Afghan position and of course the Al
ehans were obliged 10 defend themselves. Ger
taiuly the engagement was not commenced by
artillery fire as General Komaroll states. as in
antry fire was heard. continuing several miu-
utCS before the first gun.
.zss-uzu,ss E-,-~-=z.-x
HERE AND THERE.