The Afghan War.

Otago Witness, Issue 1505, 18 September 1880, Page 11

The Afghan War.

(Reutee's Telegrams.)

i Calcutta, September Bth. It is expected that General Phayre will have to fight the enemy at Tukhtapul, 35 miles south of Candahar. They are very anxious to prevent him joining General Roberta. The Viceroy haa received a telegram from General Roberts reporting that Ayoub's Khan's loss in the recent engagement was very severe. General Roberts, on entering Candahar on August 31st, was received in state by the Wali, Shere Ali, and by Generals Primrose and Burrows. There was general rejoicing, as the people of Candahar were alarmed at the possibility of the entry of the Heratee and Cabulese troops of Ayoub. Calcutta, September 13th. General Roberts' third brigade has marched to Pasheen, on the road to the Bolan Pass from Candahar. General Roberts has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Madras army. London, September 13th. Generals Sir Donald Stewart and Sir F. S. Roberts have received the Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. The following cablegrams have appeared in the Melbourne papers »-«■ General Roberts, upon reconnoitring, found that Ayoub Khan haa taken up a position with hia forces behind a ridge of hills, which he held with great strength, and was entrenched, General Phayre, with 4000 well-oompoied troops and three batteries of artillery, reached Oandahar (?) on September 4th. Farther partioalars are now to hand respecting the attempt of Ayoub Khan to enter into negotiations with General Roberts, It appears that the messengers sent by the Afghan leader were the bearers of a letter from him couohed in terms of apology for taking tip arms against the Wall of Oandahar and the British forces. He declared that he bad no intention of engaging in hostilities against the latter, but was forced to do so. General Roberts' reply to this communication was of a preemptory character, declining to entertain proposals for peace except on two conditions — namely, the immediate surrender of all English * and Native prisoners now in the hands of Ayoub Shan and the complete and unconditional surrender of Ayoub himself and of his adherents. As no guarantee was offered for compliance with these conditions, the negotiations ceased at this point. Notwithstanding tbe overtures which have been made by Ayoub Khan, there is every reason to believe that he is fully prepared to resist the attack about to be made by General Roberts, Since his arrival in the Arghandab Valley Ayoub Khan has been actively engaged in throwing up entrenchments and defensive works. The position he occupies is believed to be now of considerable strength. His main body of troops is at Muaajan, and, so far from showing a disposition to retreat before encountering Gereral Robertß, he is partly forcing the fight which is about to ensue. The entire force under the command of General Roberts numbers 16,000 men. On September Ist Ayoub's force numbered 25,000, but during the three succeeding days 6000 of his regulars deserted, owing to the recognition of Abdur Rahman as Ameer of Cabal. Ayoub made an unsuccessful attempt to negotiate with the chief of Lashimadun, but he was joined by Mahomed Jan, Moosa Khan, and other notables of the national party, also by a number of Ghilzais. His forces have taken up a splendid position. Up to September 3rd General Phayre's force had not reached Takipul, where he expects some fighting. The following telegrams appeared in the Sydney papers :—: — Ayoub's flight from the field of battle was bo precipitate that the whole of his camp and equipage fell into the hands of the victors. The spoils are immense. In consequence of the strategy of General Robertß, a large portion of the Afghan army was covered by the British artillery, and Ayoub's troops surrendered in thousands. Ten thousand Afghans were captured. The total collapse of Ayoub's force w»3 due to the want of cohesion between the soldiers from Herat and the mutinous regiments from Cabul. The Cabulese fled down the Arghandab Valley and the Heratese were drawn off towards the Helmnnd River. The cav«lry started in hot pursuit, killing 500 of the fugitives who refused to surrender. General Roberts brought his whole force up to the attack, leaving only the garrison in Candahar, which was aided by friendly Afghans, under the Wali of Candahar. The total loss, including killed, wounded, and missing on the British side amounts to upwards of 1000. Of theae only 90 were Europeans. Colonel Maclaine, who has been in the hands of the Afghans since the defeat of General Burrows, and who up to a recent date was well treated by them, was murdered before the battle. The deoeased officer was a great favourite in the army, and his sad fate is univereally regretted. Since the decisive victory of the British over Ayoub Khan the native population is far less troublesome. Quiet seems to have been restored, and the road from Qaetta to Candahar is reopened, all interruption in ! communication with the city having been removed. The cavalry patrols report that the villages near Candahar are full of Afghan dead and wounded. It is stated that the British cavalry commence to return to India in a fortnight.

Dr Smiles is writing under the title of "Duty," a companion volume to "SelfHelp," and other popular works of his of the same class,