THE MUTINY AT HERAT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5824, 28 November 1879, Page 3

THE MUTINY AT HERAT.

The following particulars of the mutiny, the news of which has already been briefly sent by cable, will prove interesting : Official intelligence received at Simla, on September 19, from Cabul, announces that the Afghan regiment stationed at Herat mutinied on September 5, murdered the Governor, and plundered and burned down his house. It was aRo rumored that the district of Kohistan had revolted, owing in some measure, it is said, to Yakoob Khau having put to death a Kohistan chief because a large majority of the mutineers at Cabul were Kohistanis.

A telegram from the Indian Viceroy, dated September 20, fully confirms the above intelligence, and adds as follows ; troops and murder of Fakir Ahmed Khan, Civil Governor and Military Commandant under Ayoub Khan, at Herat ; disaffection of three regiments ordered to march from Taktapui and Mazar Sheriff to Ali Shaban, iu Turkistan. Ayoub’s letter to Ameer confirms report of disturbance in Turkestan, and begs leave to resign his position. Ameer states that he hopes .very shortly to regain his power, and intends to spend the whole of his resources and energy to maintain his friendship with British Government.”

This news is confirmed by following telegram, simultaneously received from Major St, John, in Kandahar :—“ Letter from Ayoub Khan at Herat to Sirdar states that on Sept. 5 Cabuli regiments mutinied, attacked house of General Fakir Ahmed Khan, killed him, plundered and burnt his house. Fakir Ahmed Khan was a noted and very faithful adherent of Yakooh and his brother, Ayoub Khau ; fled with the latter into Persia in February, 1875, in the time of Shere Ali.” Since the above news arrived the Ameer Yakoob Khan has fled from his capital, aud sought safety in the British camp with General Roberts, where he has been for the last two weeks. The British, forces are marching on Cabul, which they are expected to reach very soon. Meanwhile, Ameer Yakoob Khan and his advisers have strongly urged General Roberts to delay his advance on Cabul, but the General replied that delay was impossible. The Afghans are, the Viceroy says, evidently surprised at the rapidity of the English movements, and the Ameer fears his own troops may sack the Bala Hisaar. It is now stated that Yakoob Khan is anxious to return to Cabul. Ha had hoped to persuade us not to go on, but finding that he cannot arrest our progress, he wishes to return at ouoe. The Daily News correspondent states that the Ameer is advancing with General Roberts, and giving all aid. Wali Mahomed also accompanied the British camp. It is expected that the regimen's at Cabul will fight. An attack was made on our troops last week by the Shutargardan tribes, but they were driven off by Colonel Money with a loss of thirty of their number killed. On our side there were a few wounded, among them Major Griffiths, of the 3rd Sikhs. A later despatch says that these tribes cut off communication on both aides of the Shutargarden. Three troopers of the 12 th Bengal Cavalry, who escaped the massacre at the Residency, have arrived at the camp, aud they report that everything is iu confusion among the insurgents in the city. The artillery did not join the mutineers, but held themselves altogether a'oof from the affair. They at present hold the Bala Hissar for the Ameer, but threaten openly that unless he returns to Cabul immediately and takes command of the whole of the troops against the British, they will sack the Bala Hissar aud city, and disperse, as they cannot fight without a leader xhe Simla correspondent of the Standard states that the report that the garrison of the Shutargardau were cut off from both Ali Kheland Kushi is false. The road is open along the whole distance, and the telegraph wire is in working order. In the fight at the Shutargardan the attack was common ced by our troops and was completely successful. The Ameer and his suite are much surprised at the rapidity of the British advance on the guilty capital of Afghanistan. The Ameer is said to have begged for delay—a request which, of course, will receive no attention ; as whatever may be the truth regarding Yakoob Khan’s loyalty, it is certainly not from him that our officers will seek directions as to their duty. If the advance is continued without further delay, our troops would be expected to be iu front ofCabul on October 6. According to a telegram in a contemporary, the British force, completely equipped, was concentrated at Zargun Shahr on October 4, where it arrived the previous evening. Zargun Shahr is distant from Cabul only abont thi-fcy miles —a space that ought to he easily o ivered within three days. The correspondent add.-.; —“ It is expected that the regiments at i.aoul will fight, and a message from the Viceroy says the Ameer is afraid his own troops may sack the B da Hisar.” Only one of his regiments (according to another account) is believed by him to be trustworthy. Evidently the Ameer himself is

altogether uncertain as to the disposition of his troops, but the advancing force will be prepared for evervevent'n'.io.y, and it is quite possible they might find their work comparatively light. There has be.-n some trouble with the independent tribes, who attache 1 the camp at Shaturgardan, aud though repulsed, have since succeeded iu cutting off communication on both si les. This will be only a temporary impediment, as adequate reinforcements were being hurried forward. Con-i lering that a month has barely passed since the outbreak in Cabul, the rapidity with which the advance has been made thus far is exceedingly creditable. This is the best answer to the critics who profess to be sceptical of the advantages of our new “ scientific frontier.” If we had not commanded the passes into Afghanistan the task of our troops would have been of a very different character. The circumstance that these passes are iu onr hands has also enabled General Roberta to get forward with the speed which so greatly surprises the Afghans ; and, in spite of criticisms to a contrary effect, there can be no question that the advance has been managed with the utmost energy and promptitude.