AFGHAN DIFFICULTY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1973, 24 April 1885, Page 2

AFGHAN DIFFICULTY

(Reuter's Telegrams—Copyright, )

LQNpoNj April 23.

It is positively aftlnned tliat a despatch has been received by the foreign office lroin the Russian Government absolutely refusing to institute further enquiry into General Komarofj assertion as to the cause of hostilities at Ppnj Tie]). Tj]e pep ]uis caused considerable agitation in political circles, and peace is pq\y despaired of, Later, The report already telegraphed as to the refusal of Russia to comply with the demands made by England for further investigation ipfe iheeanso of the recent hostilities has not been officially continued and its aecuraoy is doubtful.

Tho Daily News to-day states that tho negotiations at present being, caaried on between England and are pot of such a nature to teud to a peaceful ,selt}ci||M}t ( aipj espressos, the opinion that the patience of Epglapd }s almost exhausted.

Mpilopßlfij, 4|, r i} 2J,

Great activity is being shown by all the Australian Government in aiatters of defence and military preparations are pushed forward in all the colonies. MjSLßoypj?, Tfiis day.

The defence Department Jiaa decided in case of war being declared to form a Victorian Reserve force, to consist of 5000 men.

St. Petersburg. April 23,

T])e sod-official Journal fie St. Petersburg, in an .article on the Afghan question to-day, expresses a conviction that Sir Peter Lumsden's report to the British Govenimuient of the recent fighting was derired from Afghan sources, and further states that the Russian Government place complete vciiance on (ieperal KomarofFs report of the proceedings, The article concludes with the expression of a hope that peace may still be looked for,

(United Press Association.)

Wellington, this day,

The Government have received no information regarding affairs between England and Russia,

AycKijAND, this day.

Captain Stewart, 8.A,, formerly of Tuuranga, is expected to have command of the defence latteries here. :