New-York tribune., 1897-08-24
THE REVOLT IN INDIA.
SERIOUS OUTBREAK BY THE HILL-FIGHr-
ING AFRIDIS
UNUSED AND FORT MAUDE ATTACKED. AND
REPORTED TO HAVE FALLEN-THE AMER
pIsCIAINis ALL RESPONSIBILITY

REPORTED TO HAVE FALLEN-THE AMER
DIscIAIMs ALL RESPONSIBILITY.
Slmla. Aug. 23-A large force Of Afridis has
just been reported to be advancing down the
Khyber Pass. and the so-called Mad Mullah. or
fanatica priest who Is melting the natives OF
that territory against the British is said TO have
collected the Mormands for attack upon
Mchni and Shabkadr
The Royal Irish Regiment and a representa-
tive native infantry regiment with a battery OF
mountain artillery. have been ordered to Kohat.
Fighting is reported 70 be proceeding at ALI
Musjed between the Afridis and the British gar
rison at that place.
There are persistent rumors here tonight that
Fort li-Musjed and Fort Maude, which we're
attacked this morning by the Afridis. have
fallen into the hands OF the enemy; but there Is
official confirmation OF these reports.
The Government has received a written COM
municatlon from the Ameer Of Afghanstan In
which he denies all responsibility for the risings
of the Mullahs. or fanatica priests Of the diff
ferent tribes.
Peshawur, Aug. 23.-The Afrids began an at
tack on Ali-Musjed at 8 o'clock this morning
and on Fort Maude shortly after 10 O'Clock.
Both are garrisoned with Khyber native levies.
The enemy is also entering Khyber Pass. Cen
eral Wesmacott has sent artillery to the mouth
OF the pass to shell them If possible. The artil
lery accompanied by the 9th Bengal Ian
GERS.
p London Aug 23.-An official dispatch from
Peshawur announces that Afridis attacked ALI
Musted this morning. and ADDS that they were
attacking Fort Maude at 1870 a. m. to-day. The
enemys line is a mile and half long.
Another body Of Afridis the dispatch con-
tinues is moving toward Kadam. All the Az
rids are said 20 have joined in the uprising.
The news contained in this official dispatch is
most important probably meaning protracted
campaign and desperate fighting. general re-
volt of the Afrdis was what the Indian Gov
crnment feared the most, and it now seems to
have taken place
a dispatch to The Times" from Sma says
The following official communication was issued
tonight: The Ameer has promptly replied TO the
letter In which the Indian Government called his
attention 10 information received by it to the ef-
feet 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. behalf Of General Gholam Haidar and
the Regular Army, that no such act of hostility
will ever be committed by them. He alleges that
if tribesmen have joined at all they must have
joined secretly, for they would not have dared
To do openly because of fear of him. He
attributes the disturbances TO the action OF the
mullahs, especially Haddah Mullah, VINO IN for-
mer years nave excited his own people to rise
against him in Afghanistan, and he denounces
their conduct
This is a most important pronouncement and
if published broadcast on the frontier may nave
"A great effect upon the trbesmen.
General Elles will endeavor 10 induce the
Afridis to leave the hills and venture into the
open but it is feared they will cling TO the
various spurs running out toward Jamrud and
Peshawur. This may delay their dispersal, ana
they may become troublesome by demonstra-
tions against the Kuk-Khe villages lying near
the hills Kohat and the Mohmand borders are
still quiet.
A dispatch from Simla says that the belief pre-
walls there that the Government, in the ofhclal
communique, has suppressed A part OF the
Ameer's reply. owing To difference or opinion
between Lord Elgin. the Viceroy, and the mill
tary authorities Lord Elgin desires to act eau
tiously and to avoid open rupture with the
Ameer. The military authorities. on the other
hand are convinced that the Ameer Is acting
in bad faith. and they urge Lord Elgin to act
quickly, before the Ameer is able to make for
mdable military preparations.
The generally well-informed correspondent OF
"The Times" at Simla says nothing about this
suspicion which is probably born Of the feeling
that the Ameer although he disowns does not
dsapprove Of the doings OF the tribesmen;
while there il the further possibility OF Russian
ntrgues in the background.
Curiousy enough, the Paris Memorial Dpo-
matique.' which is supposed to have connec-
tions with Russian diplomacy. announced in its
sunday issue that the Ameer was preparing for
the eyentuality of war in any case
The Afridis have always displayed keener
readiness for punder than for fighting. and the
fact that they have advanced 10 the attack Of
fortified posts for the protection of caravans
traversng Khyber Pass. while under the pay Of
the Indian Government. indicates that some
strong motive animates them. not unlikely
result Of the rising will be that the British force
will occupy Tirah Plateau, the summer head
quarters Of the Afridis and the OrakZais, from
which point they could he kept under better con-
trol The Afridis number about twenty-thousand
drst-cass hill fighters. An anxious feature OF the
situation is that the Anglo Indian Army Is large
l., ,ocruited from the Afridis.