INDIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5760, 4 May 1880, Page 5

INDIA.

Proclamation has been issued declaring that the British have now assumed the whole political administration of North and East Afghanistan. Mahommed Jan attacked 250 Haziras near Jyusenar, on the 4th instant. He was killed with the other chiefs. Hard fighting followed, ending with total defeat of the Afghans. A Times Cabul dispatch Bay 3 " There is reasonable hope that in the next few weeks there will be a satisfactory settlement, and peaceful return of our troops to India." Generals Stewart, Barker's and Hughes' commands are on the march to unite at Mukur.

Departure of the Viceroy from Calcutta for Simla has been postponed in consequence of the result of the elections in England. The Times, referring to the situation in Afghanistan, say a :—ln India, as hero, something like an interregnum must prevail until the impending changes have becu made. Lord Lylton, the Viceroy, has bsen so identified with the present Government, and has so fully committed himself Jto its plans that his prolonged tsnure of office is as little possible as it is desirable. The only doubt is whether he will wait to be recalled, or will anticipate by his own act a result he can scarcely hope to avoid. The name of Lord Northbrook, formerly Gover-nor-General, suggests itself as Lord Lytton's successor, but i ord Northbrook does not wish to return to his old post. There is less room for doubt regarding instructions that the new Viceroy will take with him. It is reported through Caiuese firms that the King of Burmah is dead from small-pox, at Mandalay. Their agents adviso them to keep back their goods, as there are fears of a civil war. Further despatches say that the report of King Mebrea's death cannot bo traced to an authentic sourse, but, at the same time, indiscriminate human "sacrifices have been offered at Mandalay for his recovery. A Burmah corresbondent says : —"Mandalay astrologers mention that, iu order to remove the evil influences, great propitiatory sacrific i 3 requisite. The victims will be taken from all ranks to the number of four hundred. The priests contribute one hundred; the remainder will be men, women, and children. Many arrests have been made to secure a sufficient number of the victims to be selected from. | The Catholic convent was entered to procure victims from among the girls there, but the attempt was frustrated. The internal con- , dition of the country is most unsatisfactory. The people, while seeing the folly of King Thebau's acts, are helpless to make a change. LATER. Rangoon, April 11.—Seven hundred men, women, boys, girls, priests, and foreigners have been burned aiive under the towers of the city walls as a sacritico for the restoration of the King' 3 health. The panic in Mandalay is frightful, and hundreds of people are leaving the city. The King's illness is said to be leprosy. A telegram from Singapore confiima i,Uo report of the murder of Wallow, by the natives of Sumatra, while on a scieutific mission for the French Government. Tho Governor of Achin has gone with troop 3 to recover the body and effects, and to punish the murderers.