ANGLO-RUSSIAN DIFFICULTY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1328, 16 April 1885, Page 1

ANGLO-RUSSIAN DIFFICULTY.

Bombay, April 13. The Ameer of Afghanistan left Rawalpindes to-day for Cahul, after reiterating his continued friendship for Great Britain. London, April 12. Jt is feared that the Russians will make an attempt In disable the Suez l!an:i J . Admiral Hornby will probably command the Baltic fleet. The Black Sea, the Sea of Azoff and the lower portion of the .Baltic remain open. The Moruing Post states that the Emperor ot Germany considers Gener«l Konmoff the aggressor in He ree nt action against the Afghans. His Majesty ureres that the Afghan diffi culty should be settled by arlu'ration at tho annual meeting of Emperor* at Skiermeviel. April 13. It is announced, in view of the exist ing crisis, that the Admiralty have resolved on immediately reinforcing the naval squadron on the Australian and Chmn stations. Information is to haul that the Unssiau Government me purchasing swift cruisers in the United Stales.

The Btandaid this morning publishes a telegram from its correspondent in Central Asia, dated 7th inst., to the effect that the Russian troops are pursuing their advance along the Murghab river.

Further details of General Komaroff’a explanation in connection with his action in engaging with the Afghans states that on finding tho Afghans entrenching on the Russian side of the Kushk river, General Komaroff halted some distance from them. The Afghans then r menaced a reconnoitring company of his, and also occupied a height commanding the flank of his forces, refusing to retire behind the Kushk river when requested. The Ameer of Afghanistan is returning to Kandahar.

The Russians have sent to America an order for six cruisers, of the Esmeralda class, and are endeavoring to purchase the steamers plying between Pan Francisco and Honolulu.

Two Russian transport vessels, now at Port Paid, have been ordered to proceed to the Amoor river, aud arc also instructed to avoid all British ports on route.

The Afghans are sending avast quantity of military stores and munitions of war to Pisheen, and the troops are massing at Quettab.

The Russian raen-of-war Yladimir and Monomeh are believed to be iu the vicinity of the Cape. The English Press assert that by his explanation General Komaroff convicts himself.

In the House of Commons to-day Mr Gladstone referred to the recent negotiations between Lord Dufferin and the Ameer of Afghanistan as entirely satisfactory.

Speaking of the recent hostilities at Panjdeh, Mr Gladstone informed the House that as there was a considerable discrepancy between the British account and that forwarded by General Komaroff t<> his Government, he had telegraphed to General Lumsden to ascertain the actual facts of the case.

April 14. It is feared that the Russians will take Meruchak and Qualfikar. The European Press urge that Prince Bismarck should mediate in the settlement of the Russian difficulty. The Russian squadron stationed at Naples has been ordered to proceed textile Baltic.

In the engagement between the Russians and Afghans on the 30th March, the loss of the latter was 930 killed and wounded. The ironclads which have been selected to strengthen the China and Australian squadrons will be ready in May. Melbourne, April 13. Mr Service has given an official denial of the statement that the liotomahana has been purchased as a patrol vessel for the Australian station. April 14. The Government to day received a telegram from Mr Murray-Smith, the Victorian Agent-General, in which he stales that the prospects of a peaceful settlement ot the Afghan frontier question are very gloomy. Sydney, April 13.

It is currently reported that His Excellency Lord Loftus and Admiral Tryou are in receipt of instructions from the Imperial Government in regard to the necessary steps to he taken tor promoting the efficiency of the naval and land defences of the colony.