The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-21

The Simla despatch which gave the
losses incurred up to date by the British
forces now engaged in the fighting on the
frontier was the first indication of how
severe that fighting has been. The killed
numbered 100. including IL officers, and
the wounded $50, including 81 officers.
The most striking thing in these figures
is the ~disproportion between the killed and
wounded. In ordinary fighting in times
past. unless in very exceptional circum.
stances, the proportion OF killed to wound.
ed was one to seven or ten. The proportion
in the present conflict between the British
and the frontier tribes is nearly one to three,
which shows that the fighting is principally
hand to hand and exceptionally severe.
The tribes appear also to be armed with
modern weapons to n greater extent than
was supposed, for the last reports on the
subject state that many of the fighting
men were furnished with Lee.Metford
rifles, as well as Martins. This explains
the meaning of the theftS of the Lce-Met-
ford rifles and ammunition which were
continually reported from the frontier
stations garrisoned by the British regi-
nents, and it shows that preparations for
the present movement among the tribes
men have been going on for a long time.
The loss of officers is also remarkable
in comparison with that in the other
ranks, particularly when the limited
number of British officers in the native
regiments is considered. 1t is altogether
out of the usual proportion, and can only lie
explained by supposing that the troops
need exceptional leading or. as has indeed
I,,, L;..al a., 4. ,al... i.
men with grudSes against their officers to
pick them off in the heat of conflict.
That there is disaffection among the ma
tive regiments composed of Mussulmans is
shown by the fact that during the recent
fighting numbers of figures dressed in the
uniform of the Indian Army were seen in the
enemy's ranks and directing the movements.
\ complete change in tactics has also been
reported among the Mohmunds and Afridis.
Instead of coming on in n wild undiSci-
plined rush as formerly, the attacking line
advances in successive PUSHES covered by
the fire of the main body. This is evidence
that they have been trained by the dcserters,
who, since the outbreak, have been going
over in considerable numbers to their re-
volted co-reiigionists, and giving them the
benefit of the experience they themselves
have gained in the British service.
The pause which has taken place in the
British operations is, no doubt, due TO
the uncertainty as to the temper of
the Mussulman troops in the native
army and TO the exceptional difficulties
connected with the transport and sup
plies required for a large force. which have
been noticed in THE Sun already. The
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summer to the chilly days and cold nights
on the elevated country in which the troops
would find themselves in advancing to-
ward the Afghan frontier, will require
additional clothing. equipment, and fuel,
which must be carried from India up to
the army, as ii is almost non-exiStent in the
country to be traverSed. 1t was the strict
observance by the tribes OF their engage
ments to the British Government that alone
kept the British Army under Lord ROBERTS
from disaster during the last Afghan war.
and it is only by a full understanding of
this that the importance Of their present
detection can be appreciated. Already the
money cost of the operations up to date
reaches something like SO, 600. 900, and as
yet no progress has been made in subju.
eating the tribes along the western from.
tier. An expedition advances to some
point, strikes a blow, and retires, after
burning villages and blowing up overs of
no military utility.
With the arrival of the artillery rein.
forccrncnts, now on their way. there will
probably be n change in the state of affairs,
but that will not remedy the moral isola-
tion of the British in India, which is the
salient feature of the situation.