AFGHAN WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1422, 22 February 1879, Page 6

AFGHAN WAR.

PROGRESS OF EVENTS. Victory everywhere for the British troops since the date of the last dispatch from San Francisco. General Brown is reported to have occupied Jellalabad without opposition on December 20, the notables of the city having come out to meet him, the inhabitants being friendly. The Ameer left Cabul on December 10, accompanied by an escort body-guard, and General Brasgonoff, of the Russian legation. A portion of the Ameer's escort deserted, and returned from Turkestan to their homes. It has been rumoured for some time that Yakoob Khan has been proclaimed Ameer by the chiefs of a large section of the Afghan nation, and the truth appears to be that Yakoob, on. the Ameer intimating his intention | of flight, has been invested with authority, subject to instructions from the Ameer, who intends visiting St. Petersburg to address the European Powers, laying his case against England before them. General Kaufmann telegraphed for instructions how to receive him. The report that Yakoob Khan appeared at Jellalabad and tendered his submission on the 27th December is untrue. Yakoob endeavoured to organise a government and take measures for defence, but the troops refused>to accept him as a leader. Yakoob refused to pay the soldiers, when four regiments deserted, and Wali Mahommed refused to obey Yakoob's orders. On entering Jellalabad the British found a proclamation by the Ameer, dated November 11th, proclaiming holy war against England, thuß proving that Shere Ali anticipated the Viceroy's ultimatum by one day. A Calcutta dispatch says that before leaving Cabul, Shere Ali wrote to the Viceroy of India stating that he would return to Afghanistan after laying the case before the Congress at St. Petersburg. Fighting disturbances in the vicinity of Khyber Paso occurred/and tho Pasawas closed for three days, except to strong convoys. This compelled the present abandonment of the pro-

ject to construct a telegraph through the Pass. Major Cavagnari is instructed to receive any peaceful overtures in a very friendly manner. So far Yakoob Khan has made no sign. The usual reports of chaotic confusion in the commissariat transports department come from the front. , , „,. . ' One Sikh regiment has been withdrawn from the field because of fever. Half of the men were sick, and 64 died. One English regiment has_ been withdrawn from Ali Musjid because of sickness. Under date 6th January, a dispatch from Hazie says Generalßobertsarrived within sight of the residence of the Governor of Khost, who sent in his submission. The Viceroy telegraphs that Seyd Mahomet, chief of Khumar Valley, who sent a friendly letter by Major Cavagnari recently, is expected at Jellalabad. January 4th. j The British under Generals Stewart and Biddulph are within three days of Candahar, having made a road across the range and avoided a conflict upon the ordinary route. The Government of Candahar made a call on the male inhabitants of the province to resist the British, which was generally responded to. No combatants left Candahar, and it is reported that the Afghans flooded the valley around the city, and took up a defensive position beyond to check the advance of the enemy. This was the position of affairs south and north up to 10th January. A band of Mashni Wazks recently made an excursion into British territory, plundered the inhabitants, and burned the country. They were pursued by cavalry, and retreated to the hills, where part of the band was cut off . ( A reinforcement was sent to prevent a repetition of the raid. Their chastisement was complete. London. The Times of January 6th says the rectification of the Afghan frontier will probably consist in the retention of the Presbur Valley, the Khuram Valley, and Kyber Pass, but there is reason to believe that the intervening spaces will not be amended. , . . A Calcutta dispatch of January 7th intimates that General Roberts telegraphed that he reached Kakante yesterday. The deputyGovernor of Khost came there, and will transfer I to the British commander records which it is supposed contain full information regarding the revenues of Khost and the Khusim district. The people of Khost were at first unfriendly, but seem reassured. On the Bth a correspondent with the yuettan column announces that the commander of the British advanced cavalry sent back a dispatch stating that the Governor of Candahar occupied a defensive position on Panak River. Generals Stewart and Biddulph will commence a joint attack. They hope to defeat the Governor and enter Candahar about the 10th. A Lahore correspondent telegraphs that General Stewart's occupation of Candahar will mark the conclusion of definite operations. All will then have been done that the Quettah column can possibly do before winter. Unlimited discretion was given to General Stewait, and possibly he may project the occupation of Ghirki, an important strategic position ; but unless something unforeseen occurs, the army in Afghanistan will furnish no further intelligence of importance before the beginning of March. ni . ■ London, January Bth. The Ghulzar chiefs, with the exception of Admasillah Khan, all sent in friendly mes- j sages. In an action with Sulim Khan marauders, the British lost two killed and 10 wounded. St. Petersburg, January Bth. The Agencie Russe semi- officially, for the first time, admits that Shere Ali has entered Russian territory, saying it believes the news is correct, but does not believe he was accompanied by his troops. London. A dispatch from Hazarper announces that General Roberts visited Khosfc on Monday, and was saluted by the Afghan garrison. The attitude of the marauding tribes around his camp, however, was so threatening that his forces passed all Monday night under arms. The garrison at Puavo, which is also threatened, have requested General Roberts to send them reinforcements. Calcutta, January 9th. Last Tuesday General Roberts, finding hostile tribes collected in considerable numbers, attacked them with three small columns, and was completely victorious. Forty troops of thePunjaub Cavalry charged a mas 3of the enemy, killing nearly 300. The skirmishers of the 10th Huesars drove the enemy from Bromergromo. One hundred prisoners, a quantity of grain, and a large number of cattle were captured. The British loss was trifling. The victory is expected to have a great moral effect. London, January 13th. A dispatch from Calcutta says General Stewart's forces have marched through Candahar. A dispatch from Lahore state there are strong rumours that Yakoob Khan is quite disposed to make friendly arrangements. A dispatch also says General Roberts leaves a small garrison in Khost. The health of the troops is good. They are settling down comfortably in the different' camps. With wet weather, however, there will certainly come more sickness, but not sufficient to make serious inroads on the strength of the force. The most unhealthy positions are probably Ali Musjid and Dakha. General Stewart's troops marched through Candahar, and encamped on the Ghuzni road. Supplies are being plentifully offered by the people, who show a friendly spirit along the whole of General Stewart's line of march. There has been no molestation of baggage or attempt to interfere with the progress of the columns. London, January 14th. A correspondent at Tashkaad telegraphs, under date January 13fch, that General Cameron invited the Ameer to Tashkand to meet him. He cannot arrive there before February 5. Credible advices indicate that Yakook Khan will soon usurp the throne of Cabul. St. Petersburg, January 15th. Shere Ali, before leaving Cabul, declared his readiness to become a vassal of the Czar. The Ameer, in consequence of the refusal of Russia to mediate, has abandoned as hopeless the idea of interesting European Powers in his January 17th. A dispatch, dated Candahar, Bays General Stewart rsceived intelligence that Yakoob Khan had fled from Jellalabad, and reports that the Khan of Kmor, supposed to be the most influential leader of the frontier tribes, will come into the British camp to pay his respects. London, January 17th. The troops left Candahar by Cabul Gate on the Bth. „.,,, A mail from Herat for Mirafznl, late Governor of Ghuzni, was captured at Kelat. Ghilza is reported to be without a garrison. Anarchy prevails at Cabul. Calcutta, January 17th. The Zelza chiefs are urging Yakoob Khan to make frioud? with the British. Afghan deserters confirm tho reports of disorganisation in their army. . Au official dispatch saya the Kohistani

chiefs attempted to create a disturbance and elect a president of Cabul, but Yakoob Khan induced them to withdraw. There have been slight marauding disturbances in Khost Pass, but the marauders have been punished. London, January 19th. A dispatch from Candahar reports Generals Stewart and Biddulph reconnoitreing towards Kelat Galzai, on the road to Cabul, and Quaslik on the road to Herat. A dispatch from Lahore states that various unauthenticated rumours are current that Shere Ali is returning to Cabul.