The New York herald., 1879-12-18

eastern mountain barrier of Afghanstan and
affording the best communication between India
and Cabul is for the moment in the hands OF
the hill tribes. The three known routes from
Jelalabad to the capital, the most direct OF
which was traversed by Sale in 1S41 and by
Pollock in 1S42, offer much better chancesto
host on the defensive than to invaders. At
Jaedallah, fifty miles from Jelalabad; at Tazeen,
near Khurd Cabul, eighty-fve miles distant,
and at But KHAKI, ninety -four miles from Jela-
labad--at ali of which places heavy fighting
took place in 1S41 and 1S42-the Afghans are
massing. The easiest mode of access to the city
will be by the new route of the Lata-
band Pass, which, although its crest
is 5000 feet above the sea, is in
every way superior to the Tain and Khurd
Cabul route. General Cough reports from Jag
dalah that all the tribes in his front
have risen, and that his further advance
is consequently impracticable without rein
forcements. General Bright is sending
what reinforcements he can, but does not like
to weaken the Khyber line. One and a half
regiments of infantry, one regiment Of cavalry
and a battery of artillery have left Peshawur
for the front. A reserve division, composed OF
three British and seven native infantry regi-
ments, and three batteries Of artillery, is form
ing at Peshawur. If the tribes do not disperse
on finding that they make no impression on
General Roberts ut Cabul strong force will
be pushed up to reopen the lines Of communica-
ton.
LORD LYTToN's OPTIMISM.
In the face Of these facts the Viceroy of India
telegraphs to-day as follows :-"General Roberts
has 1000 effective troops, who have been with
drawn into the Sharpur cantonment with the
slight losses already reported The enemy
must suffer very severely if they make any
attempt upon Sharpur. l consider General
Roberts position perfectly SAFE He contem-
plates resuming the offensive as soon
as he is settled in Sharpur, but, as he
says, there is nothing to be gained in
capturing the difficult distant hills while the
enemy are out in such numbers. The enemy
will shortly dispense for food, but meanwhile
our evacuation of Cabul will encourage them,
and probably enable them to keep together
longer than they otherwise would, and tend to
raise the tribes upon our lines Of communica-
tion" With respect to the attitude of the hill
tribes letters from Afghan Sirdars have been
intercepted, uetaLInS tAe arrangements ior aA
attack on Cabul and melting the Kugianias to
rise. Similar letters have been sent to the
Shinwaris Mohmunds and Afreeds. The CiriI
and Military Gazette, published at Lahore, states
that General Roberts was warned by native
chief that the tribes were meeting, and that the
inhabitants of Cabul were disaffected and were
holding frequent communications with the
Afghan troops and hill tribes.
A BATTLE NEAR HERAT.
The Times despatch from Candahar says
conflict has occurred near Herat be-
tween Herate and Cabuli troops. 1t
is uncertain which party were the
victors, but Ayoob Khan has been
imprisoned by the Cabules, who hold the cita-
del, under the leadership Of low adventurer
who has been proclaimed Governor in Ayoob
Khans place. The position of the latter has
long been precariOus When he was officially
informed that YakOob had abdicated, and the
British had assumed supreme authority, he at
once made submission. From that moment his
power was gone.
The Telegraph's despatch from Bombay an
nounces that the Afghans hold the Bala-Hissar
and the city of Cabul.