The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-29
FOrtificatiOns Are Worthless, and the
British Force Is Too Small to Re-
pei IA Threatened Attack.
KHYBER RIFLES DISARMED
THEIR LOYALTY TO THE INDIAN
GOVERNMENT UNDER DOUBT.
Several GarrisOns in the District in
Grave PeriI--LittIe News of u
Cheering Nature for Britain.
-A--

LONDON, Aug. 2S-Advices from Smla
concerning the war in the northwestern
part of India say the latest news from the
front is not of a more hopeful character
than hat received during the last few days,
though it is true that the attempted raid
on the kohat district has been repealed and
that the Orakazias have taken to the hills.
But against the temporary successes of
the British arms it must be said that very
serious state of affairs prevails at Quetta,
Beloochistan. There is little doubt that if
the fort there is attacked the chances of
the garrison's safety are slight. The for
tifcations are practically worthless, and
the place is said TO be inadequately
manned.
The commander in chief cannot too
speedily dispatch relief force to Quetta,
for that place is almost entirely isolated.
Another note of alarm, and rather incom-
prehensible one, in view OF the gallant de-
Tense made in the cases of Forts Ali
Musjid and Lundi Kotal, comes this morn
ing from Jamrud, from which place a dis
patch announces that the British military
authorities yesterday deemed it wise tc
disarm the Khyber Rifles, forming part OF
the garrison of that place. The situation
of the outlying garrsons on the SANTANA
terest in view of the urgent need for rein
forcements, ard Colonel Gordon tomorrow
will lead a column of troops through the
Kohat pass into the SANTANA district. On
the other hand there is a hopeful sign in
the northumberland report that dissen-
sions have broken out among the the
Afridis.
News has just been received at Simla of
another insurgent success. The Daulatzais
on Thursday last captured the police posts
at Mahommedzai, which was garrisoned by
a detachment of the border police. The
garrison retreated to a new post held by a
detachment of the Second Punjab Infantry,
reaching there the next morning. AS the
flying column commanded by Colonel Rich
ardson, which left Hangu on Thursday to
reinforce the post on the SANTANA range,
which was attacked by insurgents, was
returning after repulsing the enemy, the
enemy rallied and attacked the British
force on the plain. The tribesmen, how
ever. although in gre strength, were again
driven off with heavy loss. On the British
side Captain Baird-Smith and Lieutenant
North, of the Scots Fusileers, and number
of Punjab Infantry, were wounded.
The British post at Lakka was attacked
Yesterday The Fifteenth Sikhs, with two
guns, were sent to reinforce the garrison,
but their advance was tstubbQrnly opposed.
There was heavy firing last night IN the
direction of the Sunnawari post on the Sa-
mana range. Colonel Vaughan, command
ing at Fort Lockhart, hearing Of the large
and threatening gathering of the Orakzais
above Fort Gulistan, on the SANTANA range,
started to the assistance Of the garrison
with $50 rifles. The colonel reports that
II Fort Nt1li -fslF1
yesterday morning a accommodating party
under Major Desveu&, who commands at
Fort Guilstan, was compelled to retire UNI
der fire. In addition Lieutenant Blair was
severely wound while cutting off the
enemys water supply But the British
force succeeded in driving back the enemy S
niclSe1S.