, 1891-05-06

240 were acquitted. Captain Leitao, one Of
leaders in the rebellion, was condemned to
six years Imprisonment, followed by 10 years.
deportation, with the alternative of 20 years
deportation, while Lieutenant Coelho was
sentenced to three years Punishment. The
civilians charged numbered %, of whom IL
were set at liberty. Senior Santos Cordozo,
a journalist, who, with Captain Leltao, took
the leading part in. the movement, was SEN
fenced to four years Imprisonment, followed
by eight years deportation, with the alter
native of Is years deportation to Africa.
Senior Joao Chagas, another journalist, was
condemned to four years Senior Verbal, an
actor, to two years and Senior Felizardo
Lima, a journalist, to Is months imprison-
ment.
The news of the terrible disaster which
has befallen the native forces sent forward to
the border-Iand of Assam came as a surprise
indeed, as people here had not heard Of any
expedition to Manipur. The British camp
near Kohima, it appears, was attacked by an
overwhelming number Of the savage tribes of
Manipur, and after two days strenuous re-
~sistance the British force, consisting mainly
of Goorkha troops, was overpowered and cut
to pieces. Two survivors from the detach-
ments thus destroyed escaped, and reached a
station near the Assam-M anlpur# boundary
bringing this calamitous Information. 1t is
stated that 40 Goorkhas have been killed,
and that seven British officers, with the
Chief Commissioner Of Assam himself, Mr..
Ouinton, C.S.I., are missing, which would
mean that they also have either lost their
lives or are prisoners of the Manlpuris. The
Ra iah of these tribes receives at his capital a
British Agent, but was lately deposed by the
chief of the fighting people of the thick
1,~4rx, IT Oo0Ia owohalo 70
the Indian Government, and Mr., Quinton
was sent up with a large escort of Goorkha
light infantry. The Commissioner had reach
ed the seat of the disturbance, and had sum-
moned a Durbar of the local chiefs, hoping
to induce them to arrest the rebellious leaders
who had dethroned the rightful Prince.
While these negotiations were in progress,
it appears that the wild tribes of the Assam
border united together, and with much cum
ing and Indifference to danger assaulted and
finally captured the camp. 1t is almost in
conceivable how such soldiers as well-trained
Goorkhas, led by British officers, should be
defeated by enemies so contemplate III
everything except overwhelming numbers as
the Manipuris; but some explanation is aft
orded bv the statement that the ammunition
Of our Indian troops became exhausted, and
that Mr.. Quinton himself gave what must
have been q reluctant order for a sGuve qul
0eut. We learn one fact which shows how
deliberately the assault must have been
planned. The savage foe cut the telegraph
wires, so as to prevent the Chief Commits
sioner from communicating with Assam.
Immediately on receipt of this news at
Simla, the Viceroy summoned his Council to
discuss the situation. Two native regiments
quartered in Assam were at once dispatched
to the frontier. and the Bird Bengal Infantry
was to start within eight hours of the arrival
of the disastrous intelligence. All this means
that the usual indispensable energy is being
displayed, which can and will have but one
result, that is, the roofing out from the in
tested districts of these desperate and dan
gerous Jungle tribes. If, however, they have
made prisoners of our Chief Commissioner,
and of any Of the gallant officers whose names
are mentioned, these wild people will hold
against us q very awkward lever, and we may
have much trouble before we come to clos
quarters with them.
According to the Commercial Adrerttser Of
New York, President Harrison and Mr..
Mckinley are both determined to be President
for the next term. Mr.. Mckinley bases his
pretentions on his tariff measure, the endorse
ment of which by President Harrison having
somewhat helped him. AS a preliminary to
the Presidential canvass, Mr.. Mckinley will