THE WAR-CLOUD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7304, 16 April 1885, Page 5

THE WAR-CLOUD.

~ RUSSIAN ASSURANCES.

STATEMENT BY ME. GLAD•s.STONE.!*•'! if:

TELEGRAM FROM SIR DILLON . ,'-VBELL;^-^ ; .'r : ' :i .-.. '

THE SITUATION CRITICAL.

- [BEUTBB'a TELEGRAM.] ' ; i . ; /<•. <: London, April 14. In the House of Commons to-day Mr. Gladstone made a statement ■to the effect that the Russian Foreign Office had renewed the. recent pacific assurances as to the -policy: of ; the. Government in regard' to the Afghan frontier, and had stated that any changes made by the Russian; commander in the position of the troops near Penjdeh would be contrary to the intentions aftid orders of the Government. Wellington, Wednesday. This evening the Government , received the following telegram from the Agent - General:—" Quite . uncertain whether peace will be preserved. Mr. Gladstone's statement last night not reassuring. Naval preparations active." CRUISERS FOR THE COLONIES. London, April . 14. It is announced that the Peninsular and Oriental Company's new steamship Massilia, and other vessels 'belonging to one of the large ocean lines, are being equipped to serve as armed cruisers on the Australian naval station. . THE AFGHANS}; AND THE - . RUSSIANS. : - London, April 15. . The Ameer of . Afghanistan will reach Candahar on Saturday, next, when he will declare what action he intends taking with' respect •to the Russian encroachment. Heavy floods in Afghanistan have ■ rendered the movement of troops most difficult. -