THE INDIAN FRONTIER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6138, 26 March 1898, Page 7

THE INDIAN FRONTIER.

The Pioneer of Allahabad has published an article criticising in severe terms the operations in the Tirah campaign. It says : —

"The operations beyond the frontier have already ruined more than one reputation. So far as the generals are concerned, or rather the officers who hoped to make their reputation, tbey have disappointed expectations. Regarding the Tirah expedition, the time has come when the staff can be reduced with advantage. The chief is bound to weed out those who have signally failed to prove their fitness to command or to discharge staff duties. Lookiug at the course of the' campaign, we find that the instances where the troops have been well handled have been few and far between, while the occasions of serious blundering have been numerous. Happy-go-lucky arrangements were often made, more particularly iv the matter of rear-guard actions, resulting in a few hundred British soldiers and sepoys having again and again to fight desperately to save their skins, while within two or three miles were thousands of their comrades doing absolutely nothing. The Afridis scored owing to the carelessness aud indifference shown in providing for the safety of the few companies forming the rear-guard, and the losses wero increased by the bad disposition made of the fighting strength of brigades. If the private letters of tho officers were to be published, the story of the war would probably be very different from that written in the despatches and telegrams. It is an easy matter to say that this or that regiment did not do well, that orders were disobeyed or misunderstood, that some companies went too far, or that others stayed too long when the retirement was ordered. AYe should certainly not care to assert that nothing of the kind ever happened. The fortified enclosures and homesteads of the Afridis have been destroyed, and tljeir winter supplies of food and fodder have been eaten, but in actual conflict the tribesmen had their revenge. The campaign is now entering on a second phase. If the Zakka Khel and other sections of the tribe are to be thoroughly coerced more skill must bo shown in the conduct of the operations in detail. The weeding of the staff should begin forthwith, and no personal feelings should be allowed to carry weight in the selection of those who have to remain."

New Zealand Natives' Concert. — A meeting of the Concert Committee of the New Zealand Natives Association was held yesterday, when the Rev C. A. Fraer presided. It was decided to engage Mr Parquhar Young, Miss Rose Blaney- and Miss Clara Mongredien to sing at the concert, and also to obtain the services of the best amateurs in other parts of the colony. A feature of the concert will probably bo two tableaux representative of New Zealand. A magnificent firofiy club exhibition will be given by Professor Tankard, of Sheffield, one of the champion fancy club swingers of England. The clubs will be of glass, with a strong electric light in tlio bowl of each. This exhibition, on a darkened stage, sliould be very fine. Miss Lilian Smith will be asked to sing, and a minuet will be danced by Miss Cowper, of Auckland. ' Mr T. M. Wilford, of Wellington, is . to be asked to contribute a comic item.:, The concert will be held on April 21.

Societe Fransaise.— A meeting of the Societe Frangaise was held at Girton College last evening, when Mr F. C. Hall presided. There was a good attendance, and the snbject for discussion was the Otago Jubilee.