The Livingston enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1914, 1885-04-18
The Canadian Rebellion.

The Canadian Rebellion.
The most distressing incident in the
history Of Riel's half-breed rebellion oc-
Cured on the 4th inst, news of the af-
fair being received on Saturday last.
Frog Lake,a small village on the North
Saskatchewan 12O miles west of Battle
ford, was attacked by Crees under or in
cited by Big Bear and fourteen of the
inhabitants, including two priests, were
killed. This terrible slaughter has car
ried terror throughout the region ex-
posed to half-breed attacks and the set
tiers have all crowded into the forts.
Fort Pitt, a small post near Frog Lake,
was at last accounts surrounded by In
dians and as it was in no condition to
make resistance it is believed to have
fallen and those occupying it have been
massacred. Edmonton was being be-
leagured and grave fears for the safety
OF that considerable town were enter
tained. Battleford has been partially
destroyed but the fort and that part of
the town Immediately under it's guns
are still safe. The Indians who have
gone upon the war path are burning,
pillaging and killing in all directions.
Troops are being hurried forward over
the country to the scene of the rebellion
but are making slow progress over the
prairie where they wade through mud
and water by day and half freeze at
night. Re-inforcements of regular
troops and militia are being sent west
from Halifax, Quebec, Montreal and
Ontario as rapidly as they can be mus
tered for service. There are constant
rumors of the participation of Ameri-
can Indians in the bloody work of their
Canadian brethren. 1t is stated that the
Turtle Mountain Chippewas the Gros
Ventres, delegations of Blackfeet, South
Piegans and Teton Sioux have crossed
the border and are in the Canadian
northwest with their war paint on, but
all these stories lack confirmation and
are to be taken with very large grain
of salt.
Gen. Middleton with considerable
force has advanced from Qu'Appelle to
Humboldt, ITO miles from the centre of
the disturbance. He is expecting to be
intercepted on his line of march by the
half-breedS. He is now awaiting REIN
forcements and supplies. 1t is reported
that white settlers around Calgary are
so incensed at the Canadian govern
ment's policy with the northwest that
they are inclined to make common
cause with Riel. A rumor is abroad
that the government is moving for a
peaceful settlement with Riel and
cessation of hostilities. The 65th regi-
ment of volunteers composed of French
Canadians from Montreal, under Col.
Quinot, has refused to advance north
ward from Calgary, alleging in excuse
that they need equipments. The real
reason is believed to be their disinclina-
ton to bear arms against Riel and his
French half-breeds.
>
The Trouble in Afghanistan.
Intelligence received week ago states
that on March 3Oth the Russians under
Gen. Komaroff and the Afghans had a
battle at Penjdeh on the Kushk in
which the latter were defeated with
loss of nine hundred killed and were
driven from their position. The state
ments of what led to this collision are
conflicting. The Russians explain that
the Afghans advanced their position
toward the Russian lines 50 persistently
that it was feared they contemplated
night attack and Komerotf ordered
them driven back. English reports say
that the Russians provoked the fight,
crowding the Afghans and even driving
in their picket lines until the latter were
forced to protect themselves. British
officers who were spectators say that be-
ing questioned Komaroff expressed en-
tire ignorance of disagreement between
Russia and England that neither should
advance their lines of occupation in AT
ghanistan pending negotiations for set
tlement. Penjdeh is in the heart of the
strip of 100 miles wide which is claimed
by both Russia and Afghanistan and is
dangerously close to Eo4ct, the north
ern key to that country. The news was
received in England as casus belli that
could not be overlooked but peaceful
Gladstone, though aroused to something
like martial feeling, counseled moder-
alton. He demanded explanations from
Russia and received the explanation
quoted above. The story of English
officers was diametrically opposite and,
protesting inability to decide, he eawaited
official reports from Sir Peter Lumsden,
the British high commissioner in At
ghanistan, and from Earl Dufferin, gov
ernor-general Of India. 1t is said that
Russia, through ostensibly private pur-
chasers, has ordered number of fast
steel cruisers in America and even at
tempted to buy steamships in England
until the suspicious of sellers was
aroused and the destination of the ves-
sells discovered.
The latest news of the unpleasant
ness is that Russia and England are
treating for peace on the basis of the
cession of Penjdeh to the former coun-
try. That is the point seized by Russia