The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-01-25 00:00:00

THE KierJHAN WAR.

In &telegram from I
'"-- on the the Correspondent
of The lime says :
"Various rur swung are turrent that the Ameer Is
returning to C. Abu'. So far they are not authenticated
and are TY
~,rhape, to say the least, premature.
They are
impbably due to a growing impression
that the Ameer's departure from, Cabul . was not
exactly a flight, but rather u deliberate and
volunts Ary step taken with a view to put him-
self mto personal commusic,ation with General
-n-arAfmann and induce him to fulfil the expectations,
fubtless freely held out by th. Russian mission, of
hessian assistance. Under this explanation only does
lit seem possible to account for the waiting attitude
tztesumed for so many weeks by Yakoob Khan. Had the
.Anieer intended to vacate the throne and appointed
Takoob Khan as his successor it seems incredible t;h4
, the latter should not before this have either negotiated
,or fought. If, on the contrary, Yakoob Khan was
oLly intended to be his fathfr's temoorsay locum
tenens, his lopg inactiosi is quite intelligible. On the
latter hypothesis the Ameer' having found that pity
and sympathy are Il the Russians will give him,
would naturally be -disposed to return to his capital,
and in this case thea next move will probably be made,
not by Yakoob Khan, but by the Ameer.
"There is a d'aposition in military circles to depre-
cate any nego,„iations with the Ameer. He has proved
himself SO lostile and untrustworthy that no de-
...ndences it is represented, could be placed on any
arrangew ents we might make with him. This reluc-
tance, ii,owever, to treat with the Ameer is doubtless
due in part to the still greater reluctance to forego
the If 'tended march oftCabul, and is probably not
shared by the Indian Government"

The Ameer of Afghanistan has, it in said, deter-
-rained to visit St. Petersburg, where he is expected to
arrive about the middle of February. His followers
have been disarmed by the Russian authorities,

Under dare, Candahar, Jan. 18, the Correspondent of the
Daily '1 elegraph wie:—

- - -
" Strolling through the city to-day, about noon, I heard
shots bred behind raw, and turning round saw an Afghan
fanatic brandisblzog a blood-stained knife, and wounded in
several places viaggering along the road, thrugting as he
advanced at ttie soldiers he met. Some of them attempted
tostab hitu with their bayonets and side arms, when, with a
tu,,tge, he drove hie weapon into the body of a riffe-
'nut, Itgitr.g cut down the next instant by a Native Cavalry
()Mort and despatched fortbwith.
"Proceeding along the line which the desperado had taken
ItocUld Captain 114rvey slightly wounded in the hand, after
having run the would-he assasgin through the neck' Lieu-
ttenaut Willis, of the Artillery, lying on the road badly hurt
tin the rbeht breast; a sergeaNt of the same arm riding away
•vifth two severe cuts in his neck and side, ana a gunner
!stabbed through the hand.
In the meantime, a short distatoe off, a Belie*, belonging
to the disbanded infantry of the Ameer, had seized Major
Bt. John's bridle, and had fired a pistol at him. Luckily he
missed the Major altogether, and was instantly cut down by
a native attendant. He was not much hurt, and is now in
custody. He will be banged to-morrow.
'The doctors give grepli hopes of Lieutenant Willis's re-
covery.

"-it the beginning of the disturbance, the people about
the streets rushed .away from the spot. The city is qWet."

The follbwing telegrems hare been sent to the papers
horn the ILdie Office for publication :

"From Viceroy, January 18.
"Turkestan soldiery very disaffected. A Hazara cavalry
re.iginient tteserted bodily from Cabui. Disorder prevails in
city. Roberts reports return to Matoon after visiting south
and wev't extremity of Kbost Vhlley. People civil, promised
to &iv!: no further trouble. Slight snow fallen on Sutaid-koh.
i.illiangals show no signs of coming in, and are said to be
ecting again.
."Sandeman 'his effected satisfactory arrangements with
Achaitzaig who attacked part/ on Kbojak, who have made
-full submission, restoring wounded sepoy and captured arms
and property.
"Commissioner Derejat telegraphs report of hill men col-
lecting for fresh attack on Tank. Post reinforced and quite
Prepared."
"From Viceroy, January 12.
"Two attempts at assassination in Cendahar.
•Pistol fired
filkjor St John, hut without effect. Lieutenant Wills,
dangerously stabbed. City otherwise quiet.
•tesvart proposes sending strong reconnaisances towards
Girishk and Khe-lat i-Ghilzai. Robert reports country
qUiet. Depnti‘tion from Margate of Upper Karam come in,
„Mg° sections of Jajis, who have hitherto held aloof, and
Marani Governor of Hariab. Cavagnari dhmissed Ghilzai
chiefs With presents and instructions to maintain order and
be ready to render service if required. they professed most
triendly feelings and seemed pleased with reception."

"From Viceroy, 20th of January, 1879.
"Roberts reports all quiet in Khost. bialunid Vaziris
'under Umar Khan, have assembled two or three thousand
Ittrong in Zam Pa's, near Tank, and intrenched themselves.
ttainforcemr lltS have been Balt to spot."

"From Viceroy, 21st of January, 18n.
. "Gathering of Vaziris near Tank dispersed, after few
'tilling attempts on neighbouring villages; easily repulsed.