THE OUTBREAK OF WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND AFGHANISTAN.

Kumara Times, Issue 2671, 13 April 1885, Page 2

THE OUTBREAK OF WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND AFGHANISTAN.

[REUTER’S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph —Copyright. THE ATTACK OK THE AFGHAN TROOPS. AN EXPLANATION REQUIRED. KOMAROFP’S EXPLANATION OF THE ATTACK. (Received April 11, 5 p.m.) London, April 10, In the House of Commons to day the Hon. W, E. Gladstone stated, in reply to a question, that General Komaroff [the Russian Governor of Trans-Caspian, who attacked and defeated the Afghan troops near the River Kooskh on the 30tb March] had been requested by the Russian Government to furnish an explanation of his conduct in attacking the Afghan troops. (Received April 13, 0.40 a.m.) April 12. It is nob expected that the reply of General Komoroff to the demand of the Russian Government for an explanation of the attack on the Afghan troops, will be received for fully a fortnight. (Received April 13, 10 a.m.) St. Petersburg, April 12. A telegram, dated April Ist, from Komaroff to the Russian Government, is published. He 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 his demand, Komaroff ordered his troops to advance, still counting, however, upon a pacific issue of the difficulty. On the approach of the Russians, the Afghans opened fire upon them, and followed with an attack by the cavalry, whereupon Komaroff felt compelled to order his troops to commence hostilities, with the result of the battle fought, as already reported. Later. The semi official organ of Government, the Journal de St. Petersburg, commenting on Komaroffs explanation of the Afghan incident, declines to allow that the action of the Russian commander was prompted by aggressive motives.