The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-11 00:00:00

THE AFGHAN WAR,

SE!! ALI'S FLIGHT FROM CABUL.
The following telegrams have been sent to the papers
tom the India Office for publication
"From Vic,eroy, Dec. 31, 1878.
" Reseldar-Major Gholam Nakhihaband gave following
account of Ameer's withdrawal from Cabal:—
"On 10th, Ameer held lengthy durbar with principal
Sirdars and summoned the Reseldar, to whom it was ex-
plained' by Shore All Khan Candabari that. after All Musjid
and Peiwar, durbar considered no further reliance could be
placed or resistance offered. Ameer, therefore, resolved to
seek Russian protection, and place case before European
Congress, leaving Yakoob Khan In charge at Cabui with
treasure and remaining troops. Yakoob was released that
day, and an oath administered that he would do as Ameer
Might direct.
"On 13th Ameer left Cabul, taking with him Mustaufl and
others, whom he compelled to go with him, having already
sent their families to Turkestan. Ameer had already sent
away his own family and treasure, 70 lace. His authority
had almost disappeared. The troops refused to obey their
officers, and Azmatullak Khan, Ghilzai, whom he had given
large sums to raise the tribes, kept the money, but plundered
the Ameer's troops.
" Reseldar says for two years after Umballa Ameer would
have done anything for British Government, but after return
of Noor Mahomed from Simla in 1873 temper quite changed,
and he scarcely disguised his hatred of us."
"From Viceroy, Jan. 3, 1879.
"Roberts reports marched yesterday ten miles towards
Rhost country, undulating and well suited for cavalry; all
quiet and people apparently friendly. Durdin Naib still at
Khost.
"Wall Mahomed has written to Roberts offering service.
He has been placed under surveillance by Yakab Khan, but
will endeavour to escape to Kurnm ; says Miner has left for
St. Petersburgh. Troops, especially Ghilzais, are d-iserting,
and they and Yakub do not trust one another.
"Some interruptions reported in Khyber by thieves; but
these easily dispersed by Jesailchies, and some prisoners
taken. Sections of Zakka Khels from Bazar have mostly
come in. Three stolen camels have been restored, and more
are being collected.
"Stewart has crossed Gwajah with most of his division,
and. Biddulph's is all across Kojuk. People and chiefs
generally blame. Ameer for reception of Russian mission as
breach of faith."
"From Viceroy, Jan. 6, 1879.
"A gang of forty to fifty Kuki-khel malcontents is reported
to be still harassing the pass near All Mulid, but they make
no stand, and political officer was endeavouring to break
them up and was to meet Kuki-khel Jhirgah yesterday.
"Cavagnari reports Sapid Mahomed of Kunar expected
at Jellalabad early this week. Walt Mahomed has refused
to obey Yakoob's call to Cahill and has gone to Kushi.
Some of Shere All's body guard who accompanied him to
Turkestan have deserted and returned home.
"Roberts entered Shoat territory on Friday; road fair,
but country more confined; villages prosperous; most of
the Malik* came to meet him."

[From Tuesday's Times.]
BERLIN, Jan. fl—The report of the fugitive Ameer having
gemauded that his case should be laid before a Congress a
the POW& vs at S. Petersburg has excited here considerable
mirth. In well-informed circles in St. Petersburg it is not
believed that the Ameer asked for Russian protection, and
there is as little ground, it is there contended, for con-
cluding that Share Ali intends seeking refuge on Muscovite
soil.

THE STRIKE OF RAILWAY SERVANTS.
(From Monday's Times.)
" At the request of Mr. E. S. Ellis, the chairman of the
Midland Railway Company, the goods guards on strike in
the Leicester district sent delegates to his private residence
yesterday morning, when it was arranged that Mr. Ellis
should meet the whole of the Wigston and Leicester men at
Leicester station in the afternoon. At the interview Mr.
Ellis pointed out to the men that although the company's
receipts were increasing, heavy expenses had been incurred
In permanent way, improved rolling-stock, and the com-
pulsory adoption of the block system. The action of the
Government in respect of continuous brakes would also in-
volve a large outlay, and the average earnings of the com-
pany would not allow of a higher average rate of dividend
than 41 or five per cent., which wart a great disadvantage to
the shareholders.
"The reply of the men was to the effect that the trip
System was unfair, and that prolonged absence from home
entailed increased expenses.
"The men then consulted together, and afterwards in-
formed Mr. Mitt that they had unanimously agreed not to
accept the terms offered by the company.
"The chairman told three of the oldest guards on
strike that they must not expect to be employed again.
This has given great dissatisfaction to the men, in-
asmuch as they declare that they have all acted unitedly
and that no pressure has been used by anyone to
induce them to act either one way or another. It was
arranged to have an interview of delegates from all
the districts with the directors on Monday, the delegates to
have full power to settle the matter one way or' the other.
Traffic has accumulated to such an extent at some points
that portions of it had to be sent over other lines and
great inconvenience was experienced at several collieries.
In order. II possible, to remedy this state of things all
the -ecere. elaeu etation masters, and some of those
employed at first-class 3tations, together with various
other- officials, were se--- moned to conduct goods trains
and act as guards during the whole of yesterday.
This they did, and the ordinary Sunday traffic
being more than trebled, each train was accom-
panied by two police-officers, mainly from the metropolitan
district. Al various centres the telegraph department men
were held in readiness to proceed, at a moment's notice, to
repair the wires should they be cut. The men in the
Leicester district have behaved admirably. The men, it is
stated, are willing to accept the sixty-six hours per week,
provided the company do not enforce the trip system. A
meeting of the firemen and engine-drivers was held last
night, when it was resolved to give the guards on strike
very liberal support.
"Last night a meeting of railway servants in the employ-
ment of the Midland Railway Company was held at the
"Constitution." King's-road, St. Pancras, London, to take
into consideration the present condition of atfairs between
them and the company. Most of those present were goods
guards and shouters, and there were many present who were
out on strike. Telegrams were read from Weeetown, Derby,
'Birmingham, and Wellingborough, to the effect that men at
these stations and neighbouring stations remained firm in
their determination to decline the reduction proposed
by the company. No r.ply had been received from
Bristol, Gloucester, Brecon, or Swansea ; but the
Worcester guards and shunters were heart and soul
with those on strike. The chairman, Mr. It. W. Jenkins,
in the course of his remarks, reminded the men that he had
advised them not to strike unless a strike was inevitable
It had become inevitable. What they should do was to
sot moderately and to use temperate language. To that
end they should all act together. He reminded them
that on a former occ vision a movement of this character
bad failed because a report was sent to individual
stations that at others resistance bad ceased, and that
the men, becoming thoroughly disheartened, had given
up the battle. In the present case such a mistake
would be guarded against, because all the stations out-
sldi; London had promised to be guided by the action of the
London men, and all ef them were in constant communica-
tion by telegraph. A statement had appeared in some of
the newspayers to the effect that the work of the company
would now go on as well as it did before the strike- but that
could not be as be had telegraphed to the Board of Trade
stating that it was rumoured that the places of the goods
guards whi, had struck were being felled by men who
were utterly unfit to take charge of goods trains—viz. by
passenger guards, who, accustomed to stop at every station,
knew nothing of the sidings, cross roads, and intticacies
leading from the main road into the eidiegs. Colonel
Yolland, of the Board of Trade, replied The cord
puny are bound to take pr per precautions to secure
the safety of the goods traffic ' Colonel Yolland had
been requested to satisfy himself by personal observation.
Speaking of the trip system, the chairman gave instances
showing how it affected the men; and with regard to city
trains leaving St. Pancras, he said the cempany imagined
that Si hours would be occupied in this work by the guards
In the six days, while, as a matter of fact, 851 hours were
thus occupied; but the men got no money for the extra
time. He had been deputed to present a memorial to the
directors—one which contained 640 sigilatures—hut Mr.
Aliport, the secretary, refused to accept the memorial,
and said the directors would stick to what they said they
would do. As to the strike the Midland Company were
the first to break the contract, because they suspended
14 men at Toton siding who would not sign the
new rules. The men at the country stations would do
nothing without instructions from the London committee. A
message from Mr. Allport, the secretary of the company, had
just been put into his hands. It was to the effect that the
consequences resulting from the men leaving their em-
ployment without notice had been met to snit the imme-
diate requirements of the traffic. If, under wise counsel,
any of the men desired to go back they might apply not
later than Monday, but an application made later-than
that day must be referred to Derby. Now, said the
chairman, 'is there any guard here going back to-morrow? '
(Loud cries of 'No.') 'ls there any man in England
going to answer that by personal application?' (Renewed
cries of 'No ') He understood the signalmen in the London
dtetriet were going to leave their responsible situations on
the Midland line, for which they were paid 21e. a week. Two
things the meu who had struck ehould consider—first. that
they should have to earn their bread; and next, that the
company might be very glad to take them back. At any rate,
at the worst, they could get 183. a week from the Vestry of
St. Pancras to clear the streets. He believed, when the case
was fairly put before the public, the latter would support
the men. Tae following resolution was unanimously car-
ried :
" 'That this meetirg refuses to accept, as far as the
guards are concerned, any terms from the company except
60 haurs for a week's wore, 10 hours per day, over time, the
abolition of the trip system, and the withdrawal of the
notice to 'hunters and others of the 5 per cent. reduction.'
"On Saturday a meeting of the Midland Railway servants
on strike in the Leeds district was held at the "Talbot "
Inn, Meynall-street, Leeds. A resolution was adopted that
the men should remain out on strike.
"Our Derby Correspondent telegraphs Hand-bills were
circulated on Saturday stating that the Midland Company's
conditions for steady men desirous of applying to Mr. E
M. Needham fir guards service in the goods department are
as follows ;—Under guards in the country, 203. per week
with clothirg : under guards in London, 235. per week ;
head guards from 245. to 30s. per week with clothing.
When the men are required to sleep from home 2s per
night in the country end Bs, per night in London. is
allowed for lodging expenses. The men will work either
on the time system or on the trip si stern, as may be 'n quired
by the company. When working on the time system OR
hours to constitute a a week's work—all overtime to be peid
for—at the rate of eleven hours per day. The payments for
men working on the trio system are carefully calculated upon
the average time occupied by each trip. If the trains are
unavoidably dela) ed by circumstances beyond the guard's
control, an allowance will be made far the extra time. The
men to give and receive a fortnight's uorice bsfore leaving
the company's service. At the same time, the following
pircuiar was addressed to staton masters on the line
Goods guards' and shunters' strike.—The consequences
reaultiog from these men leaving their work without notice
have beau met to an extent sufficient for the immediate re-
quirements of the traffic. Arrangements are being made to
fill up the remaining vacancies; but we are still desirous of
affording those who, under the advice and influence of
others, left their duties an opportunity of returning to work,
and with this view you are requested to inform the men con-
cerned at your station that if they present themselves not
later than Monday next, the 6th Met., you are instructed to
allow them to resume duty. to far as the vacancies permit;
but that any applications made afterwards cannot be con-
sidered by you, but must be referred to Derby. Those Men
who do not resume duty by Monday, the Bth Inst., must be
requested to bring in the property they have belonging to
the company, and you may pay them their wages up to the
fine of their leaving.'
"The result has been that other men are hourly present-
ing themeelves from other railways, and that the arrange-
ments airesely made are sufficient to prevent the public
from feeling more than slight temporary Inconvenience. No.
passenger guards have joined the strike, and this so is afn
cient answer to the placards which have been posted at
Nottingham or elsewhere warning intending passengers
against the risks likely to be encountered on the Midland
Railway.
"A Nottingham Correspondent telegraphs A great
meeting was held last night in 14.rottingham in connection
with the strike of Midland gailWity guards. Mr. Hague
formerly aservant of the company, presided. The meeting was
unanimous, and resolutions were paved strongly opposing the
policy of the company, and urging united action. Other meet
tugs have also been held. It is currently reported here that.
should the places of the men now on strike be tilled up by
incompetent persons the drivers will strike en masse Much
sympathy is felt for the men, especially as the company is
considered to be one of the best in a financial aspect in the
kingdom. A meetiilg of drivers will probably be held in
Nottingham to:morrow (alonday).'
"A Derby Correspondent, telegraphing last night at ten
o'clock, reys A late visit to Toton has shown that with
energy that as well as other important sidings have been
cleared of laden trucks. Ma men have worked with swill,
and what they lacked in knowledge they made up for by
industry.'