Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-12-11
FOREIGN NEWS.
PARLIAMENT.

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was read in the house Of lords, was I'M
usually short. Her majesty regrets
beng compelled to summon parliament
earlier than usual, but the action of the
ameer Of Afghanistan compelled the
sending of a petition into his territory,
and the earliest opportunity las been
taken to call parliament together, and
making to it the communication re-
CURED by law. The papers on the sub
Ject will be laid before parliamen t. AS
surances from all foreign powers are
friendly, and there is every reason to
beleve that arrangements for the paci-
hcatlon of Europe will be made if the
treaty Of Berlin will be satisfactorily
carried out. Estimates for the ensuing
year will in due time be submitted to
the house of commons, after full DELHI
Grafton upon the matters which have
led to the early meeting of parliament,
and after suitable recess, parliament
should proceed to the considerations Of
measures for the public benefit which
will then be laid before it.
.. GEN. ROBERTS GREAT VICTORY.
Gen. Roberts telegraphs from Peiwar
Khotal, under date of Dec Sd. as FOL
lows:
During the night of December LIST
the Afghan position was turned by q
flank march over Spengrual Pass. We
surprised the enemy at daybreak on
the I'd, when the I'D Highlanders and
the 9Th Gorkahs drove the Afghans
from several POSITIONS They after
wards endeavored to reach Peiwar
Khotal, but the assault could not be
delivered on that side. We then
threatened the enemy in the rear, and
attacked and carried Peiwar Khotal,
about four o'clock in the afternoon.
The enemy had on the previous even
ing received reinforcements Of four reg
iments. They fought desperately.
Then artillery was well served. Their
defeat however, was complete
We captured Is guns and a large
quantity of ammunition. Our loss was
moderate considering the number of
our opponents and the difficult nature
of the country. Major Anderson, of
the Pioneers, was killed. Gems. Cablee
and st. Munso, of the I'D Highlanders.
were wounded. Our men behaved adj
mirably. We shall move toward Shu-
tar Garden Pass on Thursday, the 9Th.
A late La Hore dispatch of December
5tn says: All is quiet in Khy-
Der Pass; reconnaissance has been
made as far as Peshbalok Ameer is
collecting levies near Cabul. General
Biddulph has advanced many miles
northeast of Quettah
COST OF FIGHTING THE AMEER.
A London telegram of December
9TH says: The Times, in a
leading editorial, says it has reason to
believe that the expenses Of occupying
the desired frontier in Afghanistan will
only be about 81, 100000. AS soon as
Gen. Roberts has succeeded in expell-
ing the Afghans from the positions be-
fore him, the minister's main object
will be secured.
SENSATIONAL AFGHAN NEWS.
A Times London correspondent I'M
der date of Dec 4th telegraphs as fol-
lows: The attack by Gen. Roberts on
the Pe!war pass was a very different
business from Brownies on the Khyb Der.
In the latter case, if defeated, the
troops could fall back on Peshawur,
but Roberts is one hundred and forty
miles from his base at Kohat, with
fierce warrior tribes in his rear, friendly
only when held in check, and
murderous mutilators when I'M
controlled. Therefore the alb
scene Of news from Roberts, followed
by a reported Afghan victory, is the
first real sensation of the war. London
is alive tonight with newsboys crying
their wares. Gossip is full of strange
reports. On inquiry the Times CORES
pendent finds that Roberts, as reported
in previous cabIegram, receiv-
ed decided check on Thurs
day, high up in the Peiwar
pass. He threw out a regiment on each
flank, and discovered the position of
the Afghans, whom he found in force,
well supported by artillery The Brit
ish troops tried to fight their way
throuh, but were compelled to fall back,
This gave heart to the Afghans and
their tribal allies, who focked to the
ameer's standard on Friday and Satur-
day, while the British rested from
their long and hacassing march. On
Sunday the enemy tried to range his
guns from formidable position at the
crest of the hills, where, also, he was
strongly intrenched. Roberts troops,
eager for the order to advance, got it,
and went, for the position, fighting
hard, with what result is not yet known.
The Afghans fight obstinately and well.
The Times correspondents report Of the
occupation of Jelalabad is confirmed
by the foreign office. There is a great
concentration Of Afghan troops at Ca
bull The Afghans are praying that
winter may not impede the further
progress of the British, who, advised by
Indian authorities, will make no rash
attempt on that stronghold. The Al
CHAN governor of Candahar is moving
his family and treasures In expectation
of the British. aaoatt
! gsE HARD FORTUNES OF WAR.
A Constantinople telegram Of Dec.
3rd says: Sulieman Pasha has been de-
graded and sentenced to confinement
in fortress for his conduct during the
/ NOV ra