THE RUSSO-AFGHAN DIFFICULTY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1512, 13 April 1885, Page 2

THE RUSSO-AFGHAN DIFFICULTY

[keutbr’s teleg rams—copyright. ] London, April 10. The panic which prevailed for some ! time on account of the threatening / aspect of foreign affairs, has now in a 1 great measure subsided, and business 1 has resumed its usual course. In the House of Commons to-day, Mr Gladstone stated, in reply to a •. question, that General Komaroff has > been requested by the Russian Govern- > ment to furnish an explanation of his I conduct in attacking the Afghan troops. London, April 12. It is not expected that the reply of General Komaroff to the demand of . the Russian Government for an explanation of his action will be received for fully a fortnight. Intelligence is to hand that Ayoub Khan, late Ameer of Afghanistan, attempted to escape from custody, and has been conveyed to the citadel of Teheran. (Received April 13, 10 a.m ) St. Petersburg, April 12. A telegram, dated April Ist, from General Komaroff to the Russian Government has been published, which explains that he summoned the Afghans to evacuate their position. This, however, acting under the advice of British officers present, they declined to do. In order to support the demand Komaroff ordered his troops to advance, still counting, however, upon a pacific issue of the difficulty. Qn the approach of the Russians the Afghans opened fire upon them and followed this with an attack by cavalry, whereupon Komaroff felt compelled to order his troops to commence hostilities, with the result that the battle was fought as : already reported. (Received April 13, 10 a.m.) St. Pbtersbuoh, April 12. , A semi-official organ of the Govern- [ ment, the Journal de St Petetsbourg, f commenting on KomeroflPs explanation ] of the Afghan incident declines to allow that the action of the Russian 1 commander was prompted by aggres-1 sive motives, p