THE TROUBLE IN INDIA.

Hastings Standard, Issue 474, 12 November 1897, Page 3

THE TROUBLE IN INDIA.

THE TRIBESMEN ARMED WITH

LEE-METFORDS

A FIERCE ENCOUNTER WITH NATIVES.

THE BRITISH TROOPS SHOW GREAT BRAVERY.

THE AFRIDIS SUBMITTING,

(Per Press Association. —(jiui/rnjlit.)

Calcutta, Nov. 10

A body of troops accompanying Sir William Loekhart's column made a reconnaisance of the tribesmen's camp at Saramar, but found it abandoned. The tribesmen followed and attacked the retiring troops, killing seven and wounding 40. Twelve others are missing. Nov. 11. The fire of the tribesmen, who are armed with Lee-Metford magazine rifles at Saramar, was most galling to the British troops. The country is also terribly difficult, enabling a concealed enemy to fire at close quarters.

When the British force was retiring a great body of tribesmen attacked the Northamptonshire Regiment, the first battalion forming the ivar-guard, and compelled them to signal for assistance, in order to enable them to remove the wounded troops.

Meanwhile they bravely protected their wounded comrades, despite the fact of being exposed to the risk of annihilation by the enemy. The Sikhs eventually rendered assistance, and the wounded were withdrawn.

The Northamptonshire Rr-gimenfc had four privates and Lieut. Waddeil killed, and Lieut. M'lr.tire and 12 men missing, and 81 others wounded. The Dorsetshire llegiment had two officers and six privates wounded ; the Sikhs two killed and six wounded.

The Afridis, with the exception of the Akka Khols and Yakka Khels, have offered to submit. Seventy-seven villages belonging to the latter tribesmen have been destroyed.

London, Nov. 11

Speaking at Acton, Middlesex, Lord George Hamilton, said the policy of the Government with regard to the campaign on the north-western frontier of India was to accept a general submission on the part of the enemy ; to interfere with the tribesmen as little as possible, and to concentrate the strength of the British forces in positions essential for the fulfilment of Great Britain's obligations. An addition to the British forces, he said, would be despatched to the Niger, West Africa, under the command of Major Milne. Thirty special officers had already been sent out to West Africa, and 16 others were about to sail for the same destination.