LONDON, April 9

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1825, 14 April 1885, Page 2

LONDON, April 9

Information has been received that immediately an receipt of tbe news of the co'nlli.ct between the Eussians and Afghans,- the' C»ai < wired General Komerofi? deffiaiictfrig au explanation. The Ameer of Afghanistan was much, distressed on hearing of the engagement agaiust his troops. April.l.Q,.

In the House of Commons, to-day, Mr Gladstone stated .tMt General Komaroff haa bpcji requested by the Persian G-overnment to furnish explanations of his conduct in attacking the Afghan troops. The European press generally condemns the action of General Kotnacoff.

Tho English p«.ess and public demand that that officer bo recalled and consider Eiib'sia i.s trilling to gain time.

The panic which prevailed on account of tho threatening awpect of foreign affairs, has now subsided. Business matters have resumed their usual course.

Eeports received from Sir Peter Lumsden show that the Afghans did not advance after the 17th March, but that Eussian troops still continue to advance, and invited the Afghans to attack them by passing through theii' pickets. Three British officers present, twice explained to the Eussian commander, on the .Wth March, the nature of agreement ari'ived at between England and Eussia.

In the House of Commons, Mr Gladstone said the assault on the Afghans was eutirely unprovoked.

It is believed that 70,000 Russians a.-c advancing from Askabad. Russia has equipped nine cruisers iv the Gulf of Finland, and is arranging for the purchase of three others in America. A Russian ironclad and frigate have left Kolombo. The St. Petersburg press advocates the renouncement of the declaration of the Treaty of Paris.

The "Times" and "Standard" insist on tbe retirement of the Russians from the disputed territory, otherwise wa_* will result.

A lator dispatch has been received by Government from Sir Petei- Lumsden, in which he qualifies the statement that the Russian attack on the Afghan troops was eutirely unprovoked. He states that when the Russian force menaced the Afghan outposts afc Peujdeh, the Afghans crossed the river Kushk, and took up a stronger position. Consols to-day declined from 95|- to 95. The panic both in Loudou and on Continental bourses, is unparalleled since the Franco-German war.

The American Indians are joining the rebels in the revolt amongst the Indian half-breeds in north-west Canada. Pending the result of the parleying on this question, the Canadian Government have despatched seven thousand men to the scene.

3 per cent, consols remain at 95. Bank rate is unchanged at 41 ; market rate 2£ per cent. New Zealaud Government securities — 5 per cent. 10-40 loau has fallen to par ; 4-£ per cent. 1879-1904 loan to 991 ; and 4 per cent, inscribed stock to 94i (sic). A considerable rise has taken place in the breadstuffs — Adelaide wheat, ex store, per 19Glbs, 39s ; New Zealand ditto, 32s to 3Ss, according to grade. April 12. ; Intelligence from the north-west of America, states that the insurection fomented by the half-breed Eeil, in Mauitoba, is growing iv gravity. The Indian tribes surrounded several outlying stations, and massacred a number of white settlers at Frozen Lake.

The death is announced of tho Eight Hon. George Swan Nottage, Lord Mayor of London, It is feared that Eussia will make an attempt to disable the Suez Canal. Admiral Hornby will probably command the Baltic Fleet, Black Sea, Sea of Azof and the lower portion of the Baltic will remain oj^en. The Morning Post states that the Emperor of Germany considers that General Komaroff was the aggressor in the recent action against the Afghans and urges that the .Afghan difficulty be settled by arbitration at the auuual meeting of Etnperors. Intelligence has beon received that Ayoub Khan, late Ameer of Afghanistan, has attempted to escape from custody, and has been conveyed to the citadel of Toheran. i

The patriotic fund of the Rengal natives amounts to 70 lacs of rupees (£840,000). It is not expected that a reply from General Komaroff to the demands of the Eussian Government for an explanation will be received for a fortnight.