ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 836, 21 April 1885, Page 3

ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

London, April 14. It is•■announced that the Peninsular and Oriental Company’s new steamship Vlassiliaand another vessel belonging to one of the large ocean steam lines are being equipped to serve as armed cruisers on the Australian naval station. April 15. The P. and 0. Company’s steamer Massilia and others will be fully equipped for service in Australian waters. The Ameer of Afghanistan will reach Candahar on Saturday next, when he will declai’e what action he intends taking with regard to the Russian encroachment. Heavy floods in Afghanistan have rendered the movement of troops most difficult. Subject to General Komaroff not advancing, the basis of the 'Afghan frontier delimitation will be agreed upon. ■■<"> - The town of;Penj-deh will be ceded to Russia, the Ameer of Afghanistan consenting. Bombay, April 15. Earl Dufferin, who is now returning from Rawal Pindi to Calcutta, was presented at Lahore to-day with an address from the local Municipal Board. 'ln replying to it his Excellency took occasion to say that the dominions of the Ameer of Afghanistan had been the scene of an unprovoked attack on the part of the Russian forces, and be rejoiced to find that the princes and people oc India were rallying to the British standard. It was impossible, his Excellency added, to foresee the end of the present crisis, but if war resulted it would be in despite of the efforts of moderation on the part of England, St, Petersburg., April 16. A dispatch has been receive I from General Roma’off, dated April 6th, in which he states that after the hostilities on the 30th the remnant of the Afghan force,fled to Herat. A detachment' of Russian troops remain at the Pulkiliste fort, two miles north of Penjdeh. London, April 16. The P. and 0. Company’s steamer Valetta will also be equipped for service in Australian waters. * , The Black Sea is choked with vessels. The Volunteer Reserve in India is 50.000 men. The offer made by the Canadian Government in March last, to send 3000 men to the Soudan, has been renewed, but this time the offer is for service in Afghanistan. It is expected that the Admiralty will charter one of the New Zealand Shipping Company’s steamers—probably the Eimutaka or Kaikoura —as a cruiser. It has been decide Ito equip 15 fast cruisers, which are to be stationed at the most frequented ports.' _ In the event of an outbreak of hostilities with Russia the Shah of Persia offers England the assistance of 40,000 troops. Persistent rumors are current that a peaceful settlement has been effected of the Russo-Afghau difficulty, but nothing tangible has transpired. In the House of Commons to-day Mr Gladstone took occasion to deny the statement circulated to the effect, that Penj- ieh has been ceded to Russia, The Daily Telegraph's Vienna correspondent states that the Russian reply to England says that the zar considers war would be deplorable, and hopes that prompt arrangements may be arranged for a pacific solution of the difficulty. It is Stated that in considering the Russian dispatch the British Cabinet gladly accept the terms of the communication. The Journal cle St. Petersburg contains a report that the Afghans intend to revolt in favor of Russia.