The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-12
A EUROPEAN CLASH OF ARMS.
The British Lion and the Russian Bear
Meet in Conflict at Last.
STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY IN THE EAST.
Battle Between British Troops and
Tribesmen Near the Pamir Frontier
Under Russian Protection.

LONDON. Dec. 1l-Official dispatches re-
ceiyed this evening from Calcutta state that
there has been fighting between the British
forces and the tribesmen near the Pamir from
tier. and not far from the boundary line re-
Gently claimed by Russia in short. the Brit
ish troops arc now face 90 face with frontier
tribesmen in arms who are claimed 20 bo
under Russian protection and most serious
events may result from this cash of arms.
At Gilgit there is British agency garrisoned
by some Kashmires and lndiauG hoorkhas
and q battery of artillery According to
tho latest adyices received from the front the
trIbosmen of Hunza and Nagar, TWO towns
on the river Indus and almost opposite each
other. have for some time been threatening
the Chalt Fort, held by q detachment OF
hashmires.
MADE ~ ADVANCE
This caused Colonel Durand. the British
agent 40 Gllgit. to make advance upon the
Chalt Fort for tie purpose ofrelsving the gar
rson. This advance of the British troops was
made early during the present month. for on
November 29th Colonel Durand wired the
commauder-in-chief that he should move
upon the enemy on December ID unless he
was previously attacked by the tribesman. who
were reported 10 be assembling IN large num-
bers and TO have been instlgated IN their ac-
tiOn by Russian agents. Colonel Durand
also telegranhed the same day that he feared
that O serious conflict was inevitable. al
though he had done everything possible to
prevent IT,
FORT cHALT CAPTURED.
Later. Other dispatches lust received here
from Calcutta. announce Fort Chat as cap
tured IN December 7th, and seven Sepoys
We're killed and tWenty-slN wounded. Re
ports OF conflict on tho famlr frontier
reached this city n time for them 20 spread
20 the clubs and theatres. The result was a
feeling If considerable excitement and there
were many old Indian officers who grayely
shook their heads upon hearing tho news;
saying that II was the most serious that had
come from India for many day.
The younger officers naturally were elated
and were loud In their expressions OF hope
that the long expected war with Russia had
come at last and that the British lion and
the Russian bear We're 10 engage m the long
anticipated struggle Tor supremacy in the
East and lOr tho possession of India, the
richest prize IN the East.
GREAT EXCITEMENT.
The excitement increased rapidly and the
general opinion IS az midnight about the clubs
and such that war with Russia is looming up
on the horizon of India Anyway 10 Is certain
that certain Pamir questions will DOW oo
raised % deadly interest.
constant exchange Of dispatches is going
on between high OF ciais tonight. Some Of
the officials ol the India Office. who arc APP
parently going % pass the nj eht in that build
ing. refuse 20 furnish any Information o. IL
quirers than that already given above
Ono ECcg oi high l-1k, WHO -l5 ic-enty
returned IRON India. was more cOmmnnica-
tive and frankly said that there could be no
doubt that affairs on tine frontier Of the Pamr
district had reached o most delicate and dan
eerous stage. The claims made by Russia,
he said. mus. be greatly modified before even
"a basis Tor NEGOTIATIONS can be established
between the three nations concerned, Russia
China and Great Britain.