ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 841, 26 May 1885, Page 3

ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

London, May 20. The Standard states that Russia claims Geruk, a town about 110 miles from Penj-deh, in a north-easterly direction. She also objects to England fortifying Herat, and requires that the Afghan frontier shall remain unfortified. The Ameer has sent a heavy battery of artillery to Herat. May 21. It is believed that the retention of the Guards for orders at Alexandria is in some way connected with the negotiations now in progress between England and Russia on the Afghan frontier question. , It is understood that the New South M ales contingent will not proceed direct to Australia, but the transports will call at Aden to recen e any further orders that may be necessary. The Standard to-day, referring to the Afghan question, states that several new claims have been advanced by Russia to points in the disputed territory. In the House of Commons to-day the Marquis of Hartington, Secretary for War, announced, in reply to a question, that her Majesty’s Government did not deem it desirable at the present juncture to explain the reasons why the Guards have been_ detained at Alexandria to await orders. His Lordship added that the massing of the troops recently employed in the Soudan with a view to their being available for service elsewhere is being continued. May 22. The Earl of Kimberly, Secretary of State for India, denies the statement that Russia had demanded to have an envoy at Cabul.