THE OUTBREAK OF WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND AFGHANISTAN.

Kumara Times, Issue 2674, 17 April 1885, Page 2

THE OUTBREAK OF WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND AFGHANISTAN.

►♦« [REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.] By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. DESPATCH FROM the RUSSIAN GENERAL KOMAROFF. RUSSO-AFGHAN DIFFICULTY. RUMOURS OF A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT. A REPORTED CESSION OF PENJDEH DENIED. (Received April 17, 3.45 a.m.) St. Petersburg, April 16. A despatch has been received from General Komaroff, dated the 6th April, in which he states that after the hostilities on the 30th March the remnant of the Afghan force fled to Herat. A detachment of Russian troops remains at the Pulikishi fort, two miles north of Penjdeh. General Komaroff concludes his despatch by stating that an advance is at present (Received April 17, 12.40 p.m.) London, April 17. Persistent rumours have heen current lately in political circles that a peaceful settlement of the Rnsso-Afghan difficulty has been effected, but np to the present lime no'hing of a tangible nature lias transpired in regard to the mutter in question. Iu the House of Commons to-day, the Hon. W. E. Gladstone took occa-

sion to deny a statement which had been circulated to the effect that Penjdeh had been ceded to Russia. - _ [special to press association.] London, April 10, A Russian ironclad and frigate have left Colombo. The St Petersburg Press advocate the renouncement of tha declaration of Paris. Mr Gladstone stated that the Russian Government have admitted the attack. Reports received from Sir Peter Lumsden, the English Frontier Commissioner, show that the Afghans did not advance after March 17, but the Russian troops still continue to advance, and incited the Afghans to attack them by passing through their pickets. The British officers, who were present, twice explained to the Russian Commander on March 14 the nature of the agreement arrived at between England and Russia. SpeakiDg iu the House of Commons, Mr Gladstone said he considered the assault on the Afghans was entirely unprovoked. The panic caused in the London Stock Exchange and Continental Bourses is unparalleled since the FrancoGerman war.