The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-09-01
Gan FIGHT IN THE HILLS.
AFRIDAS ARE TWENTY THOUSAND
STRONG.
They are on the Warpath and Have
Attacked Two British Stronghold.
Long Campaign Predicted.

LONDON, August 24.-An official
dispatch from Peshawur announces
that the Afridis attacked Fort Ali
Musiid this morning and adds that
they were attacking Fort Maude at
1880 Il. IN. today.
The enemy's line is mile and
half long. The Afridis' column, the
dispatch adds, IS moving toward ka-
DAM. All the Afridis are said to have
joined in the uprising.
The news contained in this official
dispatch is most important. 1t prob
ably means Il protracted campaign and
desperate fight.
SIMLA, August 23.-A large force of
Afrids has just been reported to be
advancing down Khyber pass. and the
so called Mad Mollah," or fanaticdl
priest, who is melting the natives of
that territory against the British, is
said to have collected his forces for an
attack upon Mchni and Shah.
The Royal Irish Regiment and rep
reseutative native infantry, with n
been ordered to Kohat
| Fighting is reported to be proceed
ing at Muriede between the Afridis
and the British garrison at that place
There are persistent rumors here to-
night that Fort Ali Musiid and Fort
Maude have fallen into the hands of
the enemy. but there is no official con-
| tirmation of these reports.
PESHAWAR, August 23.-General
Wesmacott has sent artillery to the
mouth of iihyber pass to shell the AZ
ridis, if possible. The artillery was
accompanied by the Ninth Regiment
Lancers.
LONDON. August 23.-The follow
| ing official communication was issued
tonight:
"The Ameer has promptly replied to
the letter in which the Indian Govern
ment called attention to information
received by it to the effect that Afghan
subjects had Joined Haddah Mullah.
The Ameer distinctly denies the truth
of the reports that Afghan regulars
have joined the Mullah.
'He engages solemnly and person.
ally. on behalf of General Gholam
Haidar and the regular army. that no
such act of hostility will ever be com
mitted by them. He alleges that if
tribesmen have joined at all they
must have joined secretly, for they
would not dared to have done so OPP
emily for fear of him.
! "He attributes the disturbances to
the action of the Nullahs, especially
Haddah Mullah. who in former years
melted his people to rise against him
in Afghanistan, and he dcnounces
their conduct"
General Ellis will endeavor to induce
the Afridis to leave the hills and to
venture into the open, but il is fear
ed they will cling to the various spurs
running out toward Jamrud and Pes
hawar. This may delay the dispersal
land they may become troublesome by
demonstrations against the Kulli-Khp1
villages living near the hills. Kohat
fand the MohmuG borders are still
quiet.
The Afridis have always DISPLAYED
a keener readiness for plumber than
for fighting. and the fact that they
: have advanced to the attack of fort,-
fled posts for the protection of cara
vans traversing Khvber pass. while
under pay of the Indian Government.
indicates that some strong motive an
mates them.
The Afridis number about 2O.O9G
first class hill fighters. \ serious fen.
ture of the situation is that the An
glo-lndian army is largely recruited
from the Afridis.