72,000 British, Troops to be despatched if necessary.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5046, 16 March 1885, Page 2

72,000 British, Troops to be despatched if necessary.

Persia Sides with Russia.

Anglo-Russian Agreement.

London, March 13

Active preparation is being made by both England ami India in view of the Anglo-Eussian situation. The plans of the military authorities provide for the despatch to Afghanistan, if necessary, of two army corps numbering,each 36,000 ( men, and preparations are being made by the Admiralty for a fleet of transports to convey the troops to Obe from England.

The latest intelligence from Central Asia is to the effect that Major.-General Lumsden is now close to Herat, and will enter that city if the Russians advance from their present position near Peng Dah.

Despatches to hand from Persia state that the Shah's Government is in favor of the action taken by Sussia in regard to Afghanistan.

In the House of Commons to»day, Mr Gladstone announced that an agreement had been entered into between England and Russia that no further advance of their troops stiould be made on either side in Afghanistan, and that the question of delineation of the frontier was under

diplomatic treatment, bat it would be premature to pronounce an opinion as to the possibility of a solution being arrived at. .•■■■'• •■ ' ■ ' ■'■-

[Received March 16, 12.30 p.m.] - London, March 15.