The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-17
AFGHAN AFFAIRS.
Critical Condition Of the
Troops at Cabul.
Chilians Repulsed by the
Allied Forces,
With q Loss of Fully Three
Thousand Men.
Afghan.
GRAVE CONDITION AT CABUL

,, Afghan.
GRAVE CONDITION AT CABUL
National Associated Press to the Star
CALCUTTA, Dec. 17.-Intelligence from
Cabul states that in the engagement Sunday
General Roberts lost one mountain gun.
A semi-official estimate of the Afghan
forces engaged place the number at four
thousand
General Roberts and his associates in
command are said to have expressed conf
dence in their ability ultimately to restore
the authority of the British Government
over the Afghans, although it is admitted
that at present it hangs on very doubtful
balance. Reinforcements are greatly needed,
and the arrival of General Coughs forces
from Gundamuk and General ArbuthnOts
from Jellabad are anxiously awaited.
The insurgent army is daily increasing in
numbers. and the leaders are said TO be de-
nnding less on their dash and eclat as
fighters and more upon tactics ard posses
sion Of arms of more precision than in the
troubles of the earlier part of the war. The
Afghan army now before Cabul outnum-
hers the British fully four to one. and the
estimate includes a British force of about
four thousand men, whose loyalty to their
conquerors and commanders there is grave
reason to suspect Tue situation is suffi-
GENTLY serious to justify the anxiety con-
earning it in Government circles both here
and in London
Cabul.
CAPTURE OF zAwA.
CALCUTTA, Dec 17.-General Roberts tele.
graphs from Cabul that General Tytler,
with two columns. had attacked Zawa,
which was stored with grain. The Afghans
occupied both sides of the gorge. which was
shelled from the heights and valley. Gen.
Tytler succeeded in capturing Zawa, which
he afterward burned. The Afghans we're
badly cut up, while General Tytler returned
and encamped at Dagh. Remnants of tele.
graph wire and other British property found
at Zawa shows completely in the recent
0utrages
Spanish America.
CHILIANs DRIVEN FROM AQUA SANTA.
New YORK, Dec. 1.-THE Peruvian
Charge DAffaires, of this city, received
the following cable dispatch from Aspn-
wall:
1.-The Chilian position at Aqua Santa
has been attacked and carried by the
allies. Loss to the enemtSkiled, wounded
and prisoners, 5, 600 men and IA Krupp guns.
The enemy is in full retreat upon Pisauga
Full particulars by mail. Great enthusi-
asm prevails. Aqua Santa is about 40
miles in advance Of the main position held
by the invading Chilians Pisaugn. the
Peruvian city recently captured by them,
is their base of operations"
France.
EXCITEMENT IN THE cHAMBERs
PARIS, Dec I'm. LeRoyer, in re.
plying to the Interpolation of NJ. Lockroy,
stated that amnesty had been applied in
its true spirit and the exceptions made.
M. Perry declared that the ministry shared
In M. LeRoyer's views M. Clemencian
liercely attacked the Government, and pro-
posed vote of censure which the Chamber
rejected by voting confidence. viz: 255 for
and 81 against the right of obstaining from
voting during the debate. There was consid.
cradle excitement shown.
NJ Waddington has issued circular to
the powers suggesting mediation in the
Greek question.
Great Britain.
MINISTRY is NOT FLURRIED.
LONDON, Dec H.-Pariament has been
summoned to meet IN the 9th of February,
lnasmuch as this is about the date on W hich
it usually assemblies, the fact that no earlier
day was named is construed here as show
Ing that the ministry are not in the least
furried or intimidated by Mr. Gladstone s
denunciatory speeches iHRcotlahd, nor by
the course of the Opposition in general, but
or the contrary maintain their equanimity
and feel their mastery of the political situ.
alton. 5r
AMERICAN DUTIES ON WINES.
MADRID, Dec. 17.-Senor Torens in re.
plying to question in the Courts promised
TO seriously consider the treaty of COM
merce with the United States and ask for Q
modification of the alcoholic scale Of Gus
tom duties levied in America upon Span
tsh winea
TROUBLE IN THE FAMILY.
VIENNA, Dec. 1.-THE Pesther Lloyd cor
respondent alleges that serious disputes
have taken place between the Gar and
Czarewitch, which have created great ex
element in Court circles and generally
throughout st. Petersburg
Germany.
TIE wURTEMBURG EXPLOSION.
BERLIN, Dec. 1.-THE explosion of blast
fng powder which occurred in the salt mines
at Schwabisch Hall, Wurtemberg yester
day. killing and injuring twenty of the
miners, is supposed to have been caused by
carelcssness on the part Of the men. Much
excitement was created in the neighbor
hood and the top of the shaft was soon sur
rounded by the family and friends Of the
employees known to be below at the time o
the explosion, many of whom made pa
thetic demonstrations of grief as the bodies
of the killed and injured were brought vi
by the rescuing party.
kENTUCK KNlCKkNACKS.
Choice Currents Collected in the Corn.