New-York tribune., 1897-08-31
KOHAT PASS CLOSED.
ACTION OF THE AFRIDIS CAUSES a
CHANGE IN BRITISH PLANS.


THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION INCREASED
BRAVERY DISPLAYED AT FORT LUNDI-
KoTAI.-TiIE AMEER's ACTION.
Peshawur. Aug 3O-A strong force Of Afrids.
nis Just announced has closed the Kohat Pass,
and therefore the proposed advance OF a column
Of British troops through that pass has been
countermanded. With the Khyber and Kohat
passes in the hands OF the enemy, the gravity of
tie situation has increased.
A column OF native troops. under Colonel Cor
don. fully equipped with medical commissariat
ard transport services, was sent out from Pc
shawur yesterday with orders 10 force the Kobat
Pass Il necessary. and reach Kohat.
The Kohat Pass ai its entrance is COM
n,anded by For, Mackeson. 1t runs through
Alfridi territory the British post at Kohat.
about forty miles from Peshawur. The latter is
strong military position
1t transpired that seven of the native officers
at Fort Lundi- i-Kotal showed the utmost loyalty
and valor when that post was attacked. one
OF them. who received a bullet wound in his
shoulder. continued to fight despite his injury,
and encouraged his men until the fort was capt
ured. The Sfadar who onlucted the defence
o. Fort LundISKotal was killed during the fight
Ing. Among the attack ng force were two Of his
sons while another fought by his side. The
Subadar who commanded the Mullagoin Com
pany when TIE enemy entered the fort col
lected his men and gallantly cut his way
through the ranks of the attackers He lost
eral men. but reached the road to Jamrud with
out loss of a single rifle
1t appears that only small section of the
Khyber Rifles stationed at Jamrud dis
armed. They were guard the night when the
news OF the fall Of Fort Lundi-Kotal was re-
ceived. and the officers fearing that some Of
them might desert with their rifles. dsarmed
them and placed other tribesmen guard. The
other Khyber Rifles still trusted.
The arrest at Quetta August - of three
Beloochistan Surdars is considered most i'm
portant step. as two Of them Mehrullah and
Yarmuhamed, were the instigators of recent
raids in that quarter. Their arrest will prevent
much trouble in BeloOckistan. A majority Of
the Beloochistan chiefs have visited Quetta and
all declare that there is further reason for
anxiety on the part of the Government.
Simla Aug 3O-The Shinwari and kahi pO.
lice posts. on the Samana Range. We're attacked.
and after being evacuated by their garrisons
were burned by the enemy on Sunday night In
addition the Orakzais sunday night looted
the Nariab (Samana) Bazaar, and burned the
school
The Kohat Pass Afridis still loyal in spite
Of the Mullah's strenuous efforts to excite their
chiefs. They promise not to oppose the fes-
hawuri troops who are marching on kOhat
The column under Colonel Richardson and
detached party. which was sent to relieve the
police posts at Lakka and Safaldara. found them
hard pressed by Orakzais. a sharp conflict en-
sued between the relieving force and the rebels.
resulting in the repulse of the latter with con-
siderable loss The posts were relieved and their
carrsons withdrawn.
London Aug 31.-The correspondent Of THE
Times" at Simla says that no orders have yet
been issued regarding the expedition to Tirah.
though the action of the Orakzias shows how
imperative ii is that the British forces should
assume the offensive. The Orakzais however,
make no attempt 10 attack in force any point
where the troops are likely to meet them. The
wisdom of the occupation Of the Samana range In
1891 is demonstrated. But for that occupation
the Miranzai Valley would have been devas-
tated.
belief that the Ameer is not directly concerned
in the uprisings. His desire TO answer the Gov
ernments letter is proved by the fact that he
sent a duplicate copy Of his reply by way OF
Kandahar that il would be received by the
Government in the event Of the Peshawur routes
being closed This duplicate has just reached
Newchaman.
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER TRANSPORTED
Bombay. Aug. So-Kishalkar. Editor Of the native
newspaper "Mahram.' published at lslalporo. has
been sentenced to transportation for life. and the
proprietor and publisher OF the paper. Harmolkar
has been Transported for seven wears. The sem
fences were imposed in consequence OF the pub
lication IN the 'Mahra n OF a Soditlous article
spplauding ;he propaganda Of the committees in
India and elsewhere in favor Of Independence
THE PROPOSED Pt tRCHANE or PALESTINE.
PLANS OF DIR. HERZL PRESIDENT OF THE ZION