The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-04-24
THE FALL OF PENJDEH.
General KOmarOif Organizes a
Provisional Government.
Mr.. Gladstone Laughed at in the
British House Of Commons.

The st. Petersburg Official Messenger pub
fishes the following dispatch from General
Komaroff "The remnant of the Afghan de-
tachment defeated by the Russian forces at
the engagement on the Kushk river fled to
Herat after the battle. The losses of the
Afghans were largely in excess of the
first estimate. In addition to those
who fell on the field of battle
or died of their wounds many persisted dur
ing their forced retreat from cold and hun
ger. The weather has been unusually severe
and cold rain or snow has been falling al
most without intermisson the last twelve
days The Afghans on their retreat burned
the camp at Bala Murghab, which Sir Peter
Lumsden had lately abandoned. am engaged
in organizing provisional administration of
Penjdeh and the surrounding district in order
to prevent anarchy. The Russian detachment
remains at Dashkepri." The dispatch says in
conclusion that there is no necessity of an
immediate forward movement Oh the part of
the Russians.
Private kilograms from st. Petersburg
alleged that revolt has occurred in Herat
against the authority of Abdurrahman X ham
Amer of Afghanis,an.
Mr. Gladstone in the British house of COM
mons said the government had no reason
whatever to believe that any such demand
had been established as that reported OF
Russia's demand for Penjdeh. The Right
Hon. Robert Bourke, conservative member
for Lynn Regis, asked whether Baron de Staal,
Russian ambassador at London, had sug-
gested, part Of the terms of an Anglo
Russian understanding, that Penjdeh be an
nexed to Russia Mr.. Gladstone answered
There is no reason whatever to believe that
any such demand has been made. No assur-
anCes have been given or received by either
government regarding any particular points
on the Afghan frontier" Mr.. Gladstone
denied the story published in the London
sian premier had sent telegram
to Baron de Staal. the Russian minister at
London, saying, II am charged by the cZar's
personal command to request you to inform
the English government that in the cars
opinion war would be deplorable to both
countries The car firmly hopes that
prompt and simple arrangement will be es-
Ia lished.n Mr.. Gladstone said that there
hal been friendly conversations Tlaughterl
between Earl Granville and the Russian am
bassador and others competent to assist
but no assurances had been given or received
regarding points on the disputed frontier
Mr. Gladstone had no doubt that Russia h al
established an admins ration of Penjdehn
Laughter) In answer to Mr.. B1urke the
premier said that he hal not been present at
the conversations referred to- (Jeersl He
had no reason to Leleve that any suggestion
or demand had been made by Russia up to
the present time.
Mr.. Lessar, the special envoy of Russia in
an interview said that the arrangement for
the cesSon of Penideh to Russia had not vet
been completed, but that the negotiations
were proceeding favorably. The Ame.r r., he
thought, would offer no objection to the ces-
sion Of Penjdeh to Russia, as the tribes orcu-
plying that place and other portions OF the
territory which has been in dispute have for
long time caused him much uneasiuess on
account of their rebellious spirit and acts Of
violence
Earl Granville, being asked this afternoon
If it was true, as reported, that the govern
ment have agreed to give up Penideh to the
Russians, said 81 must really decline to an
swer all these unauthorized and always mac
curate reports"
A letter from Gubran to the London Times
declares that if Gen eral Sir Peter Lums1en
should be withdrawn from the frontier,
such action would be the signal for
immediate seizure by the Russians of
Herat. Beside this, the letter says the
withdrawal would cause to Great Britain q
loss of support among the Afghans, who even
now, according to the same authority, sus.
pect both the Amer and England of treach.
cry.
A leading Russian paper SAYS; "Russia
cannot go to war at present. The political
atmosphere of Europe s.not favorable for
campaign against England. Never should
our economical situation be ignored. Oui
heavy national debt, the stagnation i'll com.
merce and the numerous trade and financial
failures show that the time is nopportune &c
begin war against any one We hope that
the Penjdeh incident will have no serious re
cults