MUTINY IN INDIA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3227, 15 September 1879, Page 3

MUTINY IN INDIA.

FULLER PARTICULARS OF THE

MASSACRE.

PROMFT ACTION OF THE VICEROY.

Telegrams from the Punjaub report a most alarming mutiny on the part of some of the Afghan troops, and the massacre of nearly everyone connected with the British Embassy at Cabul. A number of the soldiery who had served \mder Shere AH against the British had for some time manifested considerable disaffection towards the new Ameer, Yakoob Khan, their discontent being greatly aggravated by arroars of pay being due to them. No serious consequences, however, were anticipated until the men suddenly broke out into open mutiny, and, being joinod by a considerable number of the inhabitants of the town, marched upon the British Residency. Tho guard, led by Major Cavagnari, the British Resident, made a desperate defence, but were speedily overpowered by tho superior numbers of tho mutineers, and most of the defenders, including Major Cavagnrai himself, have been massacred, Tlie mutineers then sot fire to tho buildings occupied by the British Embassy, which were burned to the ground. The Ameer Yakoob Khan, having gathered a portion of his troops around hini, did overythiug in his power to quell the disturbance, but his efforts wero quite ineffectual. He found that by far the greater portion of his subjects wero inspired by hatred to the British, and had joined the mutineers. With the comparatively fow men who remained loyal to him, he had to take refuge in his palace, where, according tho latest advices, ho was being closely "besieged by tho rebellious soldiers and populace. Upon the news of tho massacre reaching the Governor - General of India, ho at once orderod tho Khy her and Kandahar Passes, to bo re-occu-pied by tho British troops, and directed General Roberts with tho advance column of the British army to march immediately to Cabul to take prompt measures to put down the outbreak, and relieve tho Ameer.

The mutineers publicly exposed to view tho bodies of the officers of the jEmbassy whom they had killod in the attack. It is believed that only nine Sowars (native horso soldiers) escaped from the massacre.

The emotion which the news of the Gabul massacre has excited throughout India is unequalled by anything of the sort since the great Mutiny. The excitement is intense, and tho instant punishment of the offenders and the dismantlement of Cabul is demanded. The Viceroy is taking the most prompt and decisive action in the way of avenging the massacre and relieving the Ameer. The latest news represented tho latter as being still besieged, and considerable anxieted is manifested on his account, as it is considered doubtful whether, with tho small forco at his disposal, he will bo able to hold out till the arrival of General Roberts.

Very Busy — Someone asked a lad how it wns ho was so short of his ago. He replied, " Father keeps me so busy, I aiu't tirao to grow."