ANGLO-RUSSIAN DIFFICULTY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1332, 25 April 1885, Page 1

ANGLO-RUSSIAN DIFFICULTY.

London, April 22. Statement* were made last night in the House of Lords and the House of Commons by Earl Granville and Mr Gladstone respectively to the effect that the Government were in receipt of a reply from General Lumsden to a communication which has been addressed to him asking for a full account of the recent hostilities near Peitjrteh, but that his account differed very seriously from that supplied to the Russian Government by General Komaroff. In the House cf Commons Mr Gladstone asked for a vote of credit for £11,000,000, of which £4,500,000 was intended for operations in the Soudan. In proposing the vote, the Premier an-

nounced that the general situation of foreign affairs rendered it incumbent upon Great Britain to prepare all her forces. The Government were not prepared to abandon operations at present being conducted in Egypt, but reserved full liberty of action. The Indian troops now in Egypt, Mr Gladstone added, would prove sufficient to hold Souakim, the British forces being reserved for any emergency that might arise. From further particulars which have transpired regarding General Lumsden'e reply to the British Government it appears that he places considerable emphasis on the patience and bearing of the Afghan troops, and states that the conflict was entirely due to the aggressive action of the Russian commander. ■ The report on the recent attack by General Komaroff furnished by Sir Peter Lumsden, completely traverses those supplied by Komaroff, and shows that the Afghans did not advance after the announcement of the agreement arrived at between England and Russia, and that the fighting which took place was forced by General Komaroff. The Marquis of Salisbury, speaking at Wrexham, urged the Government to resist the Russian aggression in Afghanistan. Persistent rumors are in circulation to the effect that the Powers will endeavor to compel Turkey maintaining a strict neutrality in the event of war breaking out. The Standard states that the Governmant have re-demanded the Russian Government to disavow Komaroff's action. Captain Wilson has been appointed - submarine mining engineer for Victoria in place of Captain Rhodes, who was originally selected, but whose services the English Government decided to retain. He will sail for Melbourne by the P. and 0. steamer Rome. April 23. It is positively affirmed that a despatch has been received by the Foreign Office from the Russian Government absolutely refusing to institute any further enquiries into General Komaroff's assertion as to the cause of the hostilities at Penjdeh. The news has caused considerable agitation in political circles, and peace is now despaired of. The repott already telegraphed aB to the refusal of Russia to comply witli the demands of England for a further investigation into the cause of the recent hostilities has not beeu officially confirmed, and its accuracy is doubted. The Daily News to-day states that the negotiations at present being carried on between England and Russia are not of such a nature as to tend to a peaceful settlement, and expresses the opinion that the patience of England is almost exhausted. The American Government will not permit the purchase of vessels by Russia for use as privateers,

Sydney, April 23. The work of fitting up the Masilia as an armed cruiser is being proceeded with under the supervision of the Imperial Naval authorities. She wilt carry a crew of 120, Melbourne, April 23. The projected visit of Sir William Robinson, Governor of South Australia, to Sir Henry Loch has been postponed on account of the critical state of affairs. Great activity is being shown by all the Australian Governments in regard to matters of defence, and military pre* parations are being pushed forward by all the colonies, Auckland, April 23, The Defence authorities are in treaty for the purchase of small steamers here to be converted into torpedo boats. The guns on the Auckland defences will be ready for action next week. Dxjnedin, April 22. The mounting of the big guns at Forbury aod Lawyer's Heart was completed on Wednesday by Mr T. B. Low (Public Workß), and Sergeant - Major McKny (A. 0.), and should occasion require it, they could open fire. Dunedin is therefore in a state of defence against bombardment from the sea. The mounting of the guns at Taiaroa Heads is expected to bo finished early next week, thus Oempieting the defence of the harbor.