ENGLAND.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7143, 22 April 1885, Page 2

ENGLAND.

London, April 9. General Komaroff offered his protection to the officers of the British Boundary Commission. . The Afghan troops, after their defeat on the Kushk by General Komaroff, retreated to Mernchak. A general opinion is expressed that it is incredible that General Komaroff was not informed of the agreement that no forward movement of the Russian troops should take place until the result of the present negotiations was known. The Agents-General are making every effort to oomplete their purchases of war

material for their respective colonies and hurry on its despatch. There is a report in circulation that the British Government have warned the Australian colonies to prepare for war being declared against Russia at any moment. British merchantmen have been ordered to carefully watch the movements of all Russian war ships. A number of swift cruisers are being got ready by the Admiralty for immediate despatch. A decided warlike feeling prevails throughout England. V Russia is arming. The Russian ant%. rities have purchased at San Francisro^ and Honolulu a number of traders to be converted into war vessels.

It is reported that 100,000 Russian, troops are being massed on the Afghan frontier.

Sir Peter Lumsden has determined upon retiring to Herat, which place he will endeavor to hold until the arrival of the British troops should war be declared between Great Britain and Russia. It is generally believed, however, that ho will be unable to hold Herat should Russia attack it.

The report that Earl Rosebery is about to visit Berlin with the object of concluding an agreement with the Garman Government on the subject of annexation in the Pacific and in Africa, is now declared premature.