Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1885 — RUSSO-BRITISH WAR QUESTION. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

RUSSO-BRITISH WAR QUESTION.

The statement of Mr. Gladstone in theHouse of Commons shows lhat the question of war between England and Russia, hangs upon the accuracy of Gen. Komaroff’s official report of his recent encounterwith the Afghans. That the reader may havea clear understanding of the point at issueit is necessary to refer to the Russian statement In his dispatch to the Government Gen. Komaroff states that the 25th of March as he approached Dashkapri he came upon an Afghan intrenchment, and. to avoid a conflict stationed his forces three miles away from their position. The next day he commenced negotiations with theEnglish officers who wore with the Afghans. The latter, finding that they were not attacked, daily drew nearer to the Russians,, until the 29th Gen. Komaroff notified thenb

to evacuate the left bank of the which they were occupying contrary to* agreement This they refused to do, upom the advice, as they averred, of the English officers. Gen. Komaroff then moved toward-, them, hoping that they would retire, but instead of that they opened lire on him and compelled him to accept combat, the result of which is known. It is sufficient to say that the Afghans went back in a hurry. If this'statement is correct the Russians were clearly in the right and were justified in driving the Afghans back; and it is on the correctness of this statement that tho war question now hangs. The reports thus far received from the Eng’.isl* and Russian officers are conflict* ing. In order to get at the facts from an official source the English Government has telegraphed Gen. KomaroiFs statement to Sir Peter Lumsden, with instructions to make his report as early as possible and to inform the Government as * to the correctness of the Russian General’s statement. Pending the receipt of ananswer, qf course, no action will be taken.

GEN. KOMAROFF.