Indian Trouble.

Opunake Times, Volume VII, Issue 313, 7 September 1897, Page 2

Indian Trouble.

Calcutta, August 31. Reports from the frontier state that the Swatis are surrendering their arms. The rebellious tribesmen murdered and robbed native levies holding the Gazabundost post. A Britsh cavalry force is pursuing the murderers. A column under Lieut. Gordon has safely traversed the Kohat Pass. A force under Lieut.-col. G. L. R. Richardson, Commandant 18th Bengal Lancers» proceed to Kurron, and while on the march will leave reinforcements strengthening the Samana forts. Colonel Blood reports that the defences of Chakdara are insufficient and that the enemy who are under cover are able to command the fort.. Reports received from Madras state that an outbreak occurred at Malabar due to fanatic Mollahs but that the rising is not at present of a serious character. Constantinople, September 3. The Sultan has sent numerous presents to the Ameer of Afghanistan. Calcutta, September 4. General Ellis is in command of 10,000 troops in the vicinity of Shibkadar with which he will advance into Mohmands country. Colonel Blood's force will assist General Ellis. Severe fighting is expected. Colonel Biggs' force have reached Fort Hangu and formed a strongly entrenched camp aud are waiting the opportunity to attack. The Orakzais are assembled in large force in the vicinity of Samana. , Colonel A. J. F. Reid, commander of the 29th Bengal Infantry, has been despatched to Uch to support the Khan of Dir, who is threatened by the Mollah Hadda. The Uch tribesmen in British iieloochistan have paid the fine of 15,000 rupees and are repairing the damage to the road. Lieut.-col. Abbot, leading a detachment of Bengal Lancers and Sikhs attacked 15,000 tribesmen at Doaba, 22 miles north Peshawar. The cavalry failed to stop the enemy's retreat. The telegraph lines to Sabba have been cut. London, September 4. The Simla correspondent of the Times denies that a second letter was sent to the Ameer demanding replies to certain specific questions and asking him to avoid generalities. • Calcutta, September 5. The expedition against the Mohmands will occupy a fortnight, after which the troops will advance against the Afridis and Orakzais at Tirah Pass. The Afridis are now sending contingents to assist the Orakzais against the British at Samana ridge. The Swatis on the right bank of the river have paid 35,000 rupees, and yielded 800 firearms, and 700 swords. The tribesmen, however, have concealed their breachloaders, and are merely surrendering useless weapons. General Lockhart has embarked at Brindisi, and is expected to arrive at Bombay, 18th inst. He will reach the front about the time the expedition against the Afridis is ready to start. Native chiefs in all parts of India have offered the services of their troops to the Indian Government to quell the revolt of tribesmen. The Viceroy of India has accepted the services of four infantry battallions and two companies of sippers from Punjaub, and also accepted offers of transport trains from Maharajahs of Gwalior and Jaipur.