Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-10-07
AFGHAN WAR.
British Troops Attacked and
Communication Cut Of.
The Ameer's Actions Regarded with
Suspicion.


nVuO thuO VuO AlSlduh udu begun 10
show fight, and that communications
had been cut off in the ShatagarGan
Pass, The newspapers are this morn
ing full Of rumors, but they all agree
that the news from Afghanistan is
untrustworthy. In the opinion of
many no further opposition is expected
before the forces reach Cabul. But
there is no possibility of judging the
strength of the enemy. 1t is clear
that many hill tribes are showing the
most determined hostility. The Her
atee regiments, who were believed to
have marched to the Shatagardan
Pass, have not been sighted, and it is
considered possible they are lying in
wait in the de6les before the city.
The Ghilzals professed friendship, but
are much mistrusted. Certain semi
independent sections of their clan
have lately begun to harass the march,
and the rest are considered sure to
join the insurgents before the end Of
the war. The first serious attack of
the campaign, however, was made
three days ago by the Mangal and Jail
tribes, who had given much trouble to
General Roberts last winter. They
infest the road between Shatagardan
and Peiwar Passes. The English
baggage trains aud rear guards had
already been armed against their dep
relations. One or two parties that
had detached themselves from the
main body had nearly been cut Off
The tents had been pitched when the
tribes fell upon the camp. A few of
them carried matchlocks, the rest
nothing but swords. The camp was
for moment surprised, but the Brit
ish troops were rallied, and after a
fierce hand-to- hand conflict the hill
tribes were beaten of, with a loss of
twenty men. Six Of the English were
wounded. The latter captured a
richly ornamented standard belonging
to the Wanguls. On the next lay the
same tribes succeeded in cutting the
British communications with Ali
Kheyl, and preventing the passage Of
transports from the Lazar valley. The
communications, however, can be easi-
ly recaptured. Nevertheless, the fact
that the tribes can assemble in suffi
cient force to close them is generally
held to be ominOus.
Another fact which causes much
uneasiness is the attitude assumed by
the ameer. He is hourly trying Ia
induce General Roberts to delay the
advance. Such delay is, of course
impossible; and it is regarded as
something more than strange that
having come to the British camp foI
protection, the ameer should now
wish to retard the onward march
When General Roberts demanded his
object Yakoob replied that he was
afraid his troops would sack the Bala'
hissar. Other dispatches confirm this
reply, adding that the ameer believes
only one Of his regiments to have
remained still faithful. The CORE.
spondent of the Standard, whose dis
patch is published in special edition
this evening, says that the ameer
having failed to stop the advance, is
now very anxious to return.
The general opinion prevalent in
the camp is that he was only allowed
to leave Cabul or the condition that
he would do his utmost to block the
way to its gates and that he is now
anxious to get home as speedily as
possible, and put himself at the head
of his mutinous regiments. There
lies his one chance of safety None Of
the London papers believe that he
will be allowed to quit Sir Frederick
Roberts surveillance, although his
entry into Cabul with the general
forces will ruin him irretrieyably in
Afghan estimation. In the end, even
if he escapes death, there can be little
doubt that England will have to sci
up another ruler in his place.
General Roberts entire force with
all its divisions, is rapidly concentra-
ting. The Zargun Shahr portion was
to advance from that side yesterday
News from Candahar is brought that
the advanced column of that detach.
ment is satisfactorily settled at Khe
lat-i. Ghilzai whose governor welcomed
them with the friendliest manifesto.
tions. Supplies were abundant, and
every foraging party returned lader
with vegetables, flour, grain and fresl
provisions. The adjacent country i,
peaceable and well disposed.
The chiefs Of Gemindawar, whencC
a revolt was recently reported, have
come to Candahar to disown theil
supposed detection, and profess them
selves ready to receive any governor
whom Yakoob Khan shall name, ex.
cepting only Yusuf, to whom they per
sonally object Ayoob Khan, the sus
pected brother of Yakoob, reports that
tranquility has been restored at Herat
on the side nearer to India. General
Cough, with a detachment of the
guides, the Ninth regiment and foul
mountain guns. has arrived at Basa
wal. The governor Of Jellalabad has
promised him assistance. Meanwhile
the Ninth lancers and Eighty -fftt
regiment of foot, with a wing Of the
Eighty-frst, are pushing forward &c
reinforce General Gordon, who il
holding Peiwar Kobal against terrible
odds, being surrounded by the hill
men, and in an extremely perilou'
position.
As for the significance in this rela,
ton of the Russian expedition tC
Merry, it is generally considered il
England to have temporarily broker
down. General Lonkin's reported
victory is disbelieved Most people
are inclined to argue that if the plans
devised at st. Petersburg had beer
successful, the occupation Of MerN
would before now have been accom-
lplished.