EUROPEAN ITEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1519, 21 April 1885, Page 2

EUROPEAN ITEMS.

(“Age” SprciAL.) [by telegraph prom blcfp.] London, April 12 General Komatoff offered his protection to the officers of the British Boundary Commission. The Afghan troops after their defeat on Kushk by General Koraaroff retreated to Meruchaki. _ . A general opinion is expressed that it is incredible that General Komatoff was not informed of the agreement that no forward movement of the Russian troops should take place until the result of the present negotiations were known. The Agenta-General are making every effort to complete their purchase of war material for their r spective Colonies and hurry on its despatch. There is a report in circulation that the British Government have warned the Australian colonies to be prepared for war being declared against Russia at any moment.

The British navy have been ordered to watch the movements of all Russian warships. A number of swift cruisers being got ready by the Admiralty for immediate despatch A decidedly warlike feeling prevails throughout England, and Russia is arming. Suakim, April 10. News was received here to-day tending to disprove the accuracy of previous intelligence that Kassala had fallen, and stating that on March 20 the garrison, under Lupton Bey, was still holding out. Cairo, April 12.

later news received from the front regarding the rebel-ion against the Mahdi, in the province of Kordofan, confirms the previous intelligence of the disastrous defeat of the Mahdites by deserters from the Standard of the False Prophet, and further announces that his adherents have been total'y destroyed at El Obeid. London, April 13.

The Russian authorities have purchased at San Francisco and Honolulu, a num her of traders, to be converted into war cruisers. It is reported that 100,000 Russian troops are being massed on the Afghan frontier.

Sir Peter Lumsden has determined upon retiring to Herat, which place he will endeavor to hold until the arrival of British troops, should war be declared between Great Britain and Russia. It is generally believed, however, that he will be unable to hold Herat should the Ru?s ! ans attack it.