THE DISTURBANCES IN INDIA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11367, 7 September 1897, Page 5

THE DISTURBANCES IN INDIA.

PREPARATIONS TO PUNISH THE TRIBESMEN. ASSISTANCE BY NATIVE CHIEFS. [Per Press Association.! CALCUTTA, Sept. 5. General Lockhart has embarked at Brindisi, and is expected to arrive at Bombay on Sept. 18. He will reach the front about the time that the expedition against the Afridis is ready to start. Native chiefs in all parts of India have offered the services of their troops in the efforts of the Indian Government to quell the revolt of the tribesmen. The Viceroy of India has accepted the services of four infantrybattalions and two companies of sappers from the Punjaub. He has also accepted offers of transport trains from the Maharajahs of Gwalior and Jaipur. Three thousand five hundred tribesmen attacked the Balishbpel post in the Eurram Valley. After five hours’ fighting the garrison were reinforced and compelled the enemy to retire. COLONEL KELLY’S VIEWS. SYDNEY, Sept. 6. Colonel Kelly, who took part in the Chitral campaign, and who is at present on furlough in Sydney, referring to the present difficulties in India, says that the mollahs are powerful factors in the dispute, but that it is an exaggeration to speak of the dispute as a Holy War. Such an expression is altogether too comprehensive for what is now taking place. The crux of the situation is with the Ameer. If he is playing fast and loose, then there will be big trouble, but if he is friendly, there will not. Hitherto the task of holding the forts has been practically left to the allies, the levies being subsidised by England, but in future the latter will have to occupy some of these frontier pests and herself make her influence felt inland.