The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-13
WAR OR NOT? is HEQUESTION
Mlll Great Britain and Russia Cross Bay
OnetS Now?
NEWSOF THE BLOODY BATTLE CONFIRMED
Later Dispatches Concerning the Fighting
on the Pamir Frontier-Cabinet Coun-
Gil Held-Foreign Affairs.

LONDON, Dec. 12.-Is it to DO war with
Russia; That is the question Englishmen
are now asking themselve5
When the news of the fighting on the
Pamir frontier reached here last night and
was flashed around the world there was re-
sponsiye thrill Of warlike expectations among
the Queens subjects from north to south.
from east TO west. Has the long-expected
signal come at last? That IS the question. Later
dispatches from Calcutta. received this morn
ing confirm the news OF the capture of a fort
near Gilgt, the most advanced British
| agency on the frontier near Pamir. These
later telegrams also confirm the gallantry of
captain Aylmer and lieutenants BOisaragan
and HadcOck. who led the stOrming party.
Ihe interpreters of the official code message.
however, made slight mistake az 10 tho tort
captured lhe first message said that the
flDesmen OF llunza and hagar. supposed 20
De insugated by Russian agents. were threat
enlng Fort Chalt near Gigit on the Hunza
branch of the Indus
HE second dispatch said that the fort had
been captured on December ID by a force un-
der Colonel Durand who. with Captain Ayl-
iner ana Colonel BadcOck. were severely
wounded other officers including Lieuten-
ant Gorton, having been slightly wounded.
THE CAPTURED FORT
10 now appears that the place captured was
Fort Nit on the same river and between
Nllgit and Fort Chalt. The second message
from Calcutta, IN view Of the TACT that the
hrst telegram stated that Fort Chalt was
threatened, was naturally interpreted 10 mean
thht II was that position which had been cap
tuied In tins connection 10 was stated IN
these dispatches last night that the news was
not quite clear on the point referred to-
On all sides are heard praises of the gallant
conduct Of Captain Ayimer. who led the
stornlng party, carrying gun cotton petard.
which he affixed 10 the IRON bound gate OF
Ort Nit. and Ired the fuse and succeeded in
blowing that obstruction to pieces Followed
by Leutenanls BOisaragan and Badcock.
captain Alymer and few SepOys then dashed |
INTO the fort and captured gun which had |
caused much loss 10 the British troops.
During the engagement only seven SepOys /
were killed twenty-six were wounded and /
eight auxiliary kashmires were killed and |
twenty wounded The loss of the enemy is |
estimated at over fifty killed: the exact num- /
Der, however. will probably never be known |
as the dead We're, IN most cases. carried on |
with the wounded. by the retreating tribes
men. Russian money aud Russian arms and |
are said 10 have been found |
upon some Of the prisoners and on the dead.
RUSSIAN NTmGUEs BLAMED.
Colonel Durand, though suffering severely
10 the cOmmander-in-chief a report of the
operations and the causes which led 10 them,
II IS understood though the secret details Of
the affair have not been made public. that
Russian lntrigues are undoubtedly at tie bot
tom of the affair.
in proof of this 10 is reiterated that Colonel
Duraud vas summoned. in October last. %
,imla where he had q series OF conferences
with the yicerOy Of India, the Marquis of
ansdowne and measures TO meet the Rus
sian movements were agreed upon. Con-
reinfOrcements have been
pushed forward toward Gilgit ever
fnce October, but their progress las
1een delayed by bad weather and worse
oads. Some idea Of the work which
las prevailed in that part of India can be
,athered from the fact that Colonel Durand
nd his stan returning from Simla to Glgit,
lad passed through some terrific storms. |
Turing which they lost their baggageand suf-
cred most severely. while the bullock train
which recently came down from Gilgit lost hf- |
cen drivers and over one hundred animals.
omo of the passes which must be trav-
rsed are 1900 feet above the level Of the
Ca The latest reinforcements sent toward
.ilgit take with them two seyen-pound Cat
ns guns.
CABINET COUNCIL.
II is understood that a Cabirof council -