The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-12
PURSUING UMRA KHAN
BRITISH FORCES CROSS sHANDAR
PASS AFTER GREAT HARDSHIP.
Field Guns Carried Through Deep
Snow-DetaiIs of the Murder of
Two English Omccrs.

CALCUTTA, April IA dispatch from
Simla, dated to-day, says that Col.
Kelly, the commander of the British forces
which have been attempting to reach
Chitral from Gilgit since March % has sue
ceeded in crossing the Shandar Pass and
was about sixty miles from Chitral on April
Z The march of the troops most
arduous and brilliant military exploit The
pass is 1900 feet nigh and Is impossible
to beasts or burden. Consequently the
pioneers had to carry the field and noun
tain guns during the last seven miles of
the route through deep snow and with
weather intensely cold. The troops suf-
fered in many cases from frost bites.
When these advices were forwarded to
miles distant from the force commanded
by Colonel Kelly and an engagement was
1t is learned that Lieutenants Fowler
and Edwards, the two officers belonging to
the British garrison at Chitral who have
been reported missing for some time past,
were invited to polo match at Reshun,
where they were treacherously seized and
sepoys, were overcome by superior num-
bers and slain. Another report says that
Lieutenant Fowler was killed by a foster
of Chitral, who assumed the rank of Mehtar
after having murdered his elder brother.
Another dispatch from Simla says that
the latest news from the front points
SlIOHSIy 10 the collapse Oh the powers OF
Umra Khan. 1t is added that the fanatical
bands whose help he counted and who
have hitherto offered the most serious re-
sistance to the British forces. are now dis
persing.
A dispatch from Peshawur says that A.
belonging to the British garrison at ChitraI,
was captured by the forces of Sher Afzul,
uncle of the late Mehtar. but succeeded in
escaping in the disguise of a fakir and
eventually reached Peshawur. He states
that when Umra Khan first invaded Chitral
marched out in an attempt TO stop his adj
vance, but was overpowered and obliged
to retreat During the engagement Lieu
tenant Gurdon, a native officer, and several
Sepoys were killed.
In regard to the capture of Lieutenants
transpires- that they were surrounded by
superior force of tribesmen. The British
small village and resisted for seven days.
At the expiration of that time the enemy
Was and nVed Them an
their men TO polo match. The British
were suspicious, but knowing that they
accepted the invitation with the result that
during the progress of the match the whole
party was suddenly surrounded and over
powered.
General Lord Roberts's Advice.
LONDON, April L.-Gen. Lord Roberts,
formerally commander-in-chief of the Brit
ish forces in India, has written a long
letter to the Times justifying the British
expedition to Chitral to relieve DR.. Robert
son, the British agent there, and to drive
Umra Khan, of Jandol, out of the country
He refers to the unexpectedly rapid adj
vance of Russia in Asia during the last
thirty years, although. since the frontier
questions were settled she has been aware
that any further encroachments upon Turk
estan would be made at the risk of war
with Great Britain. Among other things,
Lord Roberts says: ut is most important
that we should be good terms with
Afghanistan and with the border tribes
The latter at present accept subsidies from
both Great Britain and Russia They
number a quarter of million, are well
armed, brave and fanatical and would
make excellent soldiers If they were
trained. The successful defense of India
largely depends on their attitude. They
might be attracted to alliance with
Russia by promise of loot in India.
Therefore, it would be bad policy to leave
them free to intrigue against us. The
present is good opportunity to extend our
influence over them. With regard TO
Chitral the force stationed there would
carnma1d the main lines of communication
between India and Afghanistan There
fore. the place is of great strategic inn
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