RUSSIA AND AFGHANISTAN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3288, 11 April 1885, Page 2

RUSSIA AND AFGHANISTAN.

FIRST ENCOUNTER.

Afghans Defeated with Heavy Loss. CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS. STATEMENT BY MB. GLADSTONE. An Explanation Demanded by England. The Russians Advancing m Force. CRUISERS IN REQUEST. (By Ecectbio Tklegbafh — Copyright.) (Reuteb's Agency.,) |Beoeiv«a 11.85 a.m., April lOth.l London, April 9. Intelligence is to hand to the effect that General Komaroff, the Russian Governor ' of the Trans-Caapian, attacked the Afghans on the 30th March on the banks of the Khush river. During the engagement the Afghans lost fully 500 men and were eventually severely defeated, the whole of their Artillery and camp equipments falling into the hands of the Ruaaians. The Russian loss comprised 11 killed and .29 wounded.

St. Peteesbobq, April 9. A despatch has been recited by the Russian Government from Komaroff, stating he made an attack on the troops of the Ameor of Afghanistan on account of hostile movements made by them. Komaroff reports after defeating the Afghans he retired to his former position. i London, April 9 (Later). The Time* publishes a telegram from its corresponded at Gkuarin near Herat giving details of the encounter between the Rus.ians and Afghan troops on the 30th. The correspondent stateß the pretext for the attack was a change m the position of Afghan outposts at Pendjeh. The Afghans are stated to have fought with great Btabborness, and the Russian loss is large. KomaiL..Fs forces did not pursue the Afghans on their retreat. A number of British officers witnessed the battle, and afterwards rejoined Sir Peter Lumsden at Herat. 1 Received 2.40 p.m. April 10th.] London, April 9. In the House of Commons to-day Mr Gladstone made a statement regarding the outbreak of hostilities on the Afghan frontier. The Premier stated information had reached the Government that the Afghans gave no provocation for the attack made upon them by the Russian General Komaroff. He added that the British Cabinet had demanded an explanation from the Russian Government as to the occurrence. St. Petersburg, April 9. M. Gie"rs, Minister for Foreign Affairs, when the British Ambassador interviewed him last evening expressed the Czar's hope that the Russo-Afghan incident would not have the effect of stopping the parleying. which had been proceeding between England and Russia on the frontier question. M. Giers added that the Russian officers m Central Aoia were unaware of the agreement arrived at between England and Russia on the 13th ult. that no advance should take place on either side m Afghanistan, pending negotiations on the frontier question. (Eeoeived 1.30 a.m., April 11th.) London, April 10. A later despatch has been received by the Government from Sir Peter Lumaden, m which he qualities the statement that the Russian attack on the, Afghan troops was entirely unprovoked, and he states that when the Russian force menaced the Afghan outposts at Penjdeh the Afghans crossed the river Khuskh and took up a stronger position. (Special to the Press Association ) (Beceived 11.20 a.m., April 10th.) London, April 9. The Standard states that a battle has been fought m the vicinity of the River Nurghab between a number of Russians and Afghans, during which five hundred of the combatants were killed. It is believed the Russians were defeated. [Beooived 0.50 a.m., April llthj London, April 10. ' It is reported that the Government demand the disavowal by Russia of the action taken by General Komaroff m engaging the Afghans, and also insists upon the return of the Russian forces to their former position. The Times and Standard insist on the retirement of the Russians from the disputed territory, otherwise war will result. It is believed that seventy thousand Russians are advancing from Askabad, a fortified town belonging to Russia m Central Asia. Russia, has eighteen cruisers on the Gulf of Finland, and is also arranging for the purchase of three others m America. (Received 3.17 a.m.) [Received 1.30 a.m., April 11th. I London, April 10. A Russian ironclad and a frigate hare left Colombo. The St. Petersburgh Press advocate the renouncement of the Declaration of Paris. Mr Gladstone has stated tbst the Russian Ooverntnent had admitted they attacked the Afghans. Reports received from Sir Peter Lumsden, the English Frontier Commissioner, show that the Afghans did not advance after the 17th, but the Russian troops still continued to advance, and inoited the Afghans to attack them by passing through their pickets. The British officers who were present, twice explained to the Russian commander on the 14th of March the nature of the agreement arrived at between England and Russia. Speaking m the House of Commons, Mr Gladstone said he considered the assault on the Afghans was entirely unprovoked. It is expected that early communications m regard to the matter will be despatched to the Russian Government. The panic caused on the London Stock Exchange and the Continental Bourses is unparalleled since the Franco-Qerman. war.