The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-12-21 00:00:00

THE AFGHAN WAR.

The Datly Telegraph of Monday published the following
from their Special Correspondent :

ALI-KIIEL, KIIRRITM VALLEY, Dec. 1
(via. Tana, Dec. 13).

General Roberts and his flying column returned to day
from the summit of the Shutargurdan Pass. He was unable
to overtake the enemy, who crossed two days before in hot
retreat and completely demoralised. Six abandoned gun
carriages and four limbers were found by the troops, but
the guns themselves had been carried off or hidden.
The entire country is now cleared of the Ameer's
troops. General Roberts's force now returns to the
Kurrum Fort, leaving a garrison on Peiwar Kotal. One
brigade will take a new road by the Kurrum river. A
friendly disposition is exhibited by the various ttibes. The
victory of the 2nd has produced the best possible effects both
among the class in the Kurrum valley and the nearer sections
of the powerful Gilzat tribes, some of whom accompanied
General Roberts from Shutar-gurdan, and are evidently quite
prepared to accept British rule. The health of the troops is
good, but the cold is intense. The men of the force were
highly gratified at the Queen's gracious message, tele-
graphed to them. The wounded are all doing well."
JAH-THANA (through Thull), Dac. 13(8.20 p.m.)

"General Roberts'sreconnoltring party reached this place
yesterday afternoon, and the Shutergurdan Pass at noon this
morning, without meeting any opposition The cold is
intense. The General left two regiments at Rokian in case
the enemy should make an attempt to attack. General
Roberts moves to morrow to Ali-Khel. Everyone is delighted
with the Queen's telegram."

(From Tuesday's Times)
KKOJAK (through Quetta), Dec. 14.

"General Biddulph's vanguard hobis undisturbed pos-
session of the Kholak Pass. The Sappers and Pioneers
are laboriously engaged in preparing roads for the artillery
and camels. General Stewart will arrive here to•day in
advance of his division. Heliograph signalling is in efficient
operation
KIIRAM (through Thall), Dec. 16.

"Yesterday the Mangals attacked the rear-guard of the
force conducting a convoy through the defile east of the
Saperi Pass. The Goorkhas defended the convoy and the sick
with great steadiness. General Roberts sent out strong de-
tachments of the 72nd Highlanders and of the 23rd Pioneers
from the camp to assist the Goorkhas and hold the eastern
end of the defile. The convoy arrived in the camp
just before dark The attack was quite unprovoked, the
force not being in the Mangal country. Captain Goad,
baggage master, and Captain Powell, of the sth Goorkhas,
were severely wounded, Three Goorkhas were killed, one of
the 72nd Highlanders and 11 Goorkhas were wounded, as
also a native artilleryman. The Mangals live by plunder;
so the affair is of no political importance.
" Yesterday General Robert's head-quarters moved to
Kuram. The wing of the 72nd Highlanders, the sth
Goorkhas, and the 23rd Pioneers remain at Hurajah.
General Roberts has summoned the headrren of the Mange's
to Kuram to answer for the conduct of the tribe on the 13th
Ind Should they refuse to respond to the summons, or
should the reparation offered not be thoroughly satisfactory,
severe punishment will immedistely ensue. It Is at present
doubtful whether the Mangals, Jails, and Furls will not put
aside intertribal disputes and combine to attack or, at any
rate, make raids on us. The wounded are doing well. The
health of the troops is good."

The following has been sent from the Indian Office to the
papers for publication :

"From Viceroy, Dec. 14, 1872.)

General Biddulph was at Kale Abdullah Khan and the
foot of the Khojek Pass, 9th; had pushed reconnaissance to
Chuman, on east side of Pass. No opposition. People all
friendly. Engineers commencing improvement of road over
Pass. Southern route by Gwaja reconnoitred. Easily made
passable for al arms.
"From Viceroy, December 14.

"Roberts reports road to Shntar-gardan easier than ex-
pected, and top of pass not very defensible height, 11,200
feet. Gun•carriages and limbers of one of Ameer's horse
batterie found abandoned on other side, but guns had been
carried off.

"Proposed to leave Ali-khel 12th and return to Buram by
southern road Visited Peiwar and found troops well and
carefully looked after. Position being rapidly placed in a
state of defence ; road up to Kotal now fit for field artillery.'

"From Viceroy, December 14.

"Roberts reports reached Shutar-gardan 9th, returned to
All-khel leth ; not a shot fired. General demeanour of all
favourably affected by defeat at Ameer's troops.
"Arranging with Ghilzais for protection of road between
Ali-khel and Shutar-gardan ; is hopeful of gaining over the
Ahmedzai section of the Ghilzais.

" Browne reports all quiet; signalling established through
the pass."
"From Viceroy, December 15.

"Browne reports all quiet at Dakka and in front. 14th
Sikhs sent to Peshawur on account of sickness. Cavagnart
reporta whole of Sangu-khel Shinwarris come in; hopes soon
to complete arrangements for protection of pass by tribal
levies Mir Akhor has left Mirhez, the Khan of that place
having come in to Dakka. No Cabal troops below Batkak.

" Biddulph has occupied Kkojak Pass without opposition,
and commenced making road over it, which will be done
without very great difficulty."
"From Viceroy, December 17.

"Roberts reports attack made on baggage on the 13th,
near Koruh, in Karam, by band of marauders of Mangal
tribe. Baggage alt saved and Mangals suffered severely;
but ground was very favourable to attackers and we lost
three Goorkhas killed; Captain Goad, Trantpnrt, Captain
Powell, sth Goorkhas, and thirteen men wnubded. Attack
upprovok. d, 98 we were not near Mama( country ; probably
ins Ligated by refugees from Ameer's army, as men in uniform
were seen among assailants. Goorkhas forming rear-guard
behaved admirably under sudden attack."

Under date Lahore,. Dec. 17, a Renter's telegram says that
on that day Lord Lytton received a feudatory contingent,
composed of upwards of 3,000 men of all arms, with ten guns.
After the review his Excellency addressed the corps of each
State separately, referring in warm terms to their services in
1857 and to their present readiness to assist the Government.
Not only all the important Sikh, Rajpoot, and Mahomedan
chiefs, but also the Sirdars, natives, and former
officers of the Government had spontaneously and
promptly offered their services, and all were equally
anxious to place their swords and personal influence at the
disposal of the Queen. The Viceroy then proceeded to ex-
plain the reasons why the troops had been called together
aud in referring to tho t, am taie Jarman uoveninieut
was never an ungenerous foe, but justice must precede
generosity. The Government would be unworthy of
the loyalty of its subjects and its noble allies were
It unable or unwilling to punish an unprovoked in-
sult or to effectually protect from foreign menace the
peace and prosperity which it was endeavouring to
promote within its borders. For this, and not for
spoliation, the British Government had drawn the sword.
Be (Lord Lytton) hoped, therefore, that, warned in time by
the disasters he had already suffered, the Ameer of Af-
ghanistan would render unnecessary the further prosecution
of the war so unwillingly commenced by the Government.
"There may be," continued his lordship, "need of severer
teaching before the Ameer adequately rcognises the value of
the friendship be has rejected or the power of the hostility he
has so rashly provoked. In that case, you will share with
the British army its dangers and successes."

After concluding his speech, the Viceroy assured the
Maharajah of Cashmere that if the war should extend
beyond the spring, the Government would avail itself of
his troops. The Maharajah Scindia was unwell and was in
consequence unable to be present at the review.
The contingent starts on Saturday for Peshawur, and
will, it is proposed, hold the Cabul River and Khyber
Passes in order to allow the regular troops to advance.
British officers of all branches of the service are attached to
the contingent.

"Our Correspondent at St. Petersburg" (says Wednesday's
Standard) " telegraphs that after active communicati. ins
between the English and Russian Governments, the latter
havq resolved to formally and officially recall their Mission
to Cabal. Russia has further given an assurance that she
will evxcuate European Turkey within the time fixed by the
Berlin Treaty."