The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-30
Correct News of How Fort Lundi-
KotaI and Others Fell Has
Finally Reached SimIa.
EVEN THE AMEER SUSPECTED
HER MAJESTY DISCOVERS SHE HAS
A REAL WAR ON HANDS.
Much of Interior of India Cut OFF by
Insurgent Bands from COmmu-
nicatiOn with the Coast.

SIMLA, Aug. ga strong column of
native troops and the Royal Irish Regiment,
with four guns, under command of Colonel
Richardson, has started for the relief of
the Kurum valley forts, and another force
has been sent to the assistance of the
Shimwari garrison. 1t has developed that
the capture of Fort Lundi-Kotal was ac-
complshed through treachery, and that the
original report that a fight lasting two
hours took place within the walls of the
fort was unfounded. The $50 Khyber Rifles
who were stationed there belonged to va
rious clans and included number of men
from the Peshawur valley. After fighting
of a desultory nature, some of the Shim-
warts dropped from the walls and fled to
their homes. The Afridis on the walls soon
began to exchange greetings with the be-
siegers of the fort, whereupOn the gates
were opened from the inside and the enemy
poured in. Some of the defenders fled and
others remained and fraternzed with the
besiegers. The Peshawuris were disarmed,
six of them were held as prisoners and the
remainder, to the number of thirty We're
allowed to go free
1t was this news which led to the dis
arming Of portion of the garrison at JAM
rud. 1t is believed that the Khyber Rifles,
garrisoning the forts in the Khyber pass,
had acted in a similar manner.
Attack Shimwari.
BOMBAY, Aug. 29-Little fresh news has
been received here from the frontier. An
attack has been made on Shimwari, in the
SANTANA range but the attacking force was
repulsed, losing five killed and many
wounded There is considerable excitement
among the tribes along the Bolan route to
Quetta, and the telegraph wires have again
been cut. 1t is reported that the tribesmen
are gathering near the Ziaret Sanatoriunn,
and much anxiety is felt regarding the
safety of the women and children there,
as the railway officials are asking for mill
tary protection for their property. If the
route be considered safe the women and
children at the sanatorium will be brought
away, but otherwise troops will be sent
from Quetta to protect them.
The column under Colonel Gordon, which
was dispatched to the Samana district to-
day. is composed entirely of native troops,
and is fully equipped with medical, COM
missariat and transport services. 1t has
orders to force the Kohat pass if necessary.
Rumors are current tending to throw
doubts on the genuineness of the Ameer's
reply to the Viceroy of India regarding the
completely of Afghan subjects in the upris-
ing.
formed part of the garrison at Jamrud,
was complete surprise, but the orders
were obeyed without any trouble. Much
individual firing into the camp at Jamrud
has taken place, as many as one hundred
stray shots having been fired at the out
posts in a single night.
Some of these shots were fired also at
so short a range that three native officers,
who were on watch, were killed. 1t speaks
we'll for the discipline and obedience MAIN
tanned in the camp that not a single shot
was fired in reply The hot weather is ex-
tremely trying, but the health and spirits
of the troops are good Fears are expressed
of the fall of Russian, northwest of Mar
dan, the whole district being in the hands
of the enemy. General WOdehOuSe has gone
from MarGan to Russian, where the force,
now amounting to two thousand men, with
two guns, will be strengthened
Confirmation has been received of the ru-
mors that the Afridis are quarreling among
themselves over the division of the booty
taken from the captured forts. Only about
five hundred of them have been left to guard
the Khyber pass the others having dis
persed to seek supplies of provisions. This
is probably the reason for the cessation of
hostilities. The general idea here is that If
further delay occurs in Furnishing the Afri-
dis, for which purpose at least twenty thou
sand men are required, there will be a gen.
eral uprising on an enormous scale, ex-
tending from Orakzailand to Zaimukhta
the presence of the British field force in the
TOchi valley east of Russian. Between
Buner and the Indus the tribes appear to be
disinclined to join the rebellion.
The lighting now seems to be centered
along the Samana range, end this tends
to prove that g. general uprising of the
Orakzais has taken place. 1t is probable
that some of the small outposts will prove
untenable but it is believed that Forts
Gulistan and Loc6hart are quite strong
nnn resist attacks