BRITAIN'S LITTLE WARS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2285, 16 December 1897, Page 63

BRITAIN'S LITTLE WARS.

Calcutta, December 6. Colonel Hammond and the force under his command have completed the construction of a camel road to the Kandstc Pass. The Gcurkha scouts have taken part in 25 engagements during the Indian frontier campaign, only one being killed and two wounded. Oa the other hand, they have killed more of the enemy than their entire number. December 9. The British troops have been withdrawn from Tirah. General Lockhart is proceeding to Fort Bars, where Generals Gaslee's and Westmacott't column* are expected to eff«ct a junction with the Feshawur column on December 15. The Indian Coancil will offer bills amounting to 40 lakhs of rupees for subscription on Wcdnegd&y. The Council require L 6.000.000 within three months. Two Indian employees ai Dunstratal and Gol&b connected with the arsenal at Eawal Piodi, in the Punjaub, 90 miles east of Pe*hawur, havo been arrested for selling ammunition to the Path'ans for the use of rebellious frontier tribeimen. December 11, It is estimated here that the. Indian frontier war will cost the Government 35 millions of rupeesv . - ' ' . ' Dacember 13. General Lockhart 'has informed the Afridis that the troop? will remain until the terms of submission are complied with. London, December 11. The "British Medical Journal " states that the use of the Rontgen rays is proving of ths greatest . assistance in the treatment of gunshot Wounds among the troops on the Indian frontier. Speaking at Bristol, Sir Michael HicksBeach said that if Great Britain ignored the responsibility of controlling tho Indian frontier" Russia would certainly intervene and approach in dangerous proximity to the frontier. The British operations would cost a million and a-balf sterling. Referring to the Soudan campaign Sir Michael said that the force 3 under General Kitchener would advance upon Khartoum when a fitting opportunity presented itself. The British Government intended to ask Parliament to pass a vote in aid oE defraying the cost of bcth the Indian and Soudan campaigns. It is expected that 6000 British troops will take part in the advance of .the Soudan expedition up the Nile 5a February next. At Metemneb, where th<J Khalifa's followers are assembled in strong force, the Khalifa has crossed the Nile and erected forts. Our Auckland correspondent telegraphs: — '{ A yte*s representative h&d an interview wich Prince Nawab Imad Jnnpr, of Indi*, who- i* on «. toar round fcbe world. Oa a. question relating to tbe presr nb Indian frontier trouble being pr.t,> the ifrince M^plied-: • Tke Indian Government ] made «v great mistake, I think-, in sending, troops to the tnbestn«n. Their country is very rough and mountainous, and very poor. Its'" would hsve been better to have let them alone alhgcltit'r, and as to fining them 300 or 3000 rupees, they have nofe 300 shillings to , pay it with. It w*>s foolish to send troop* there, as the character of the country enabled the tribesmen to inflicb heavy losses on them, and ib was nob worth it. The preet-nfc trouble is due to the wrong policy of Lord Lausdowne and Mr Durand.' "