Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-19
ARTILLERY FOR INDIA
MICH MORE THAN IS NECESSARY
TO PUT DOWN THE AFRIDIs.
DOUBT ABOUT The AMEER'S FIDELITY
while Protesting Friendiiness i"r
Britain, He May lie Secretly Pre-
pairing for Wharf.-The Threatehea
n,.tr~.. I'm IreIand-Other Notes.

parinx for Wharf.-The Threatened
Distress In IreIand-Other Notes.
copyright, 1897. by the Associated Press)
LONDON. September 1s.-The fact
that not less than ten batteries OF
horse and field artillery have been Or
dered to embark for India during the
months OF September and October Is
much commented upon in military cir
cles Under ordinary circumstances, the
four batteries now in India would have
| been relieved this month, but these bat
| teries have been ordered TO remain IN
India. and hence there will shortly DO
on the frontier fourteen batteries OF ar
tilIery, a full complement for an army
corps. AS the British force now assem-
| bled on the frontier is OF sufhcient
strength to wipe out all visible resist
ance, the only conclusion that can be
reached in relation to the dispatch OF
reInforcements Of artillery Is that the
authorities are possessed OF Information
of serious character.
| The intimation conveyed by the War
Office on Monday last to the London
commercial agent OF the Ameer OF
Afghanistan that no war material, or
machinery for the manufacture thereof.
" Guild be allowed to cross the frontier
during the present crisis. indicates that
the British Government has by no
means entire confidence in the Ameer's
fldelity, and It is limited that the gov
ernment has learned that while profess
ing friendiness to Great Britain the
Ameer has been secretly preparing for
war.
Well informed circles are also discuss
ing the story Of secret correspondence
between Russia and Afghanistan. which
is said to have got into the hands of the
British officials, and it is further inti-
mated that a widespread plot. embracing
the Beiuchis and others, has been dis
covered
The truth or otherwise. Of these stories
will develop hereafter. but the fact re-
mains that the large increase in the
strength of British artillery In India
cannot be intended for use against the
Afridis.
THE IRISH DISTRESS.
The extent of the distress threatening
party's eyes II is viewed through. The
Council Of the National Federation has
decided that the country Is on the brink
of a widespread calamity, and calls upon
Messrs. Dillon and Harrington to convoke
a meeting Of the Irish members OF Parlia-
ment for the purpose of requesting Mr..
Balfour. the government leader In the
Commons, TO call an autumn session OF
Parliament to devise relief measures,
and 10 pass a bill reducing rents In Ire
land in proportion to the loss incurred by
the tenants, owing to the wholesale de-
struction OF their crops.
On the other hand. the Dublin Express
says the cry Of famine Is only con-
tinuation of the party war-cry. which Is
raised every year the Unionists are I'm
Office. and adds: Judging from the past,
we may hope that much of the crops
doomed TO destruction by the prophets
of evil will be rescued. and that the gene
raj yield will be much larger than ex-
pected."
The Daily Independent regards the sug
gestion that the Duchess of York Will
shortly appeal for funds in behals Of the
Irish who are threatened with famine as
being an insult, and says: IF the coun-
try were ten times as badly of as 1t
is likely TO be. it would resent any chart
table appeal to the English
DRUNKENNESS.
Figures shown by the inspectors Of the
Inebriates Retreat show that the eff
feet of legislative interference to reform
drunkards is still experimental. and
wholly inadequate. The report says: I'm
moderate drinking, though frightfully
common among the industrial classes, is
still more prevalent among the upper
60 oil rot hat N
of all classes drunkenness is increasing
rapidly"
Lord Rosebery, the former Liberal Pre-
mer. is preparing to re-enter public life.
The Ligue Ornithophile Franchise is
organizing an international congress for
the preservation Of insectivorous birds
The convention will open its session in
AK on November 9Th. 1t is proposed 10
demonstrate that international agricul
ture would be wise to secure the absolute
prohibition by law Of the destruction of
these birds, and that severe penalties
should be imposed upon those who kill
or capture birds alighting in the course
of their migrations
CUBA AND UNCLE SAM.
The Speaker says it regards the cap
ture OF Victoria de las Tunas by the
Cuban insurgents as being a sautary
lesson, taking the ground that it gives
Spain shock. (which 1t is hoped will
check her in her drift towards bank
ruptcy and civil war" While not ex-
pressing sympathy with the natives the
Speaker adds THE United States can
find excellent reasons to intervene when
ever she likes"
The Speaker advises Spain TO recall |
Captain-General Weyler. and to arrange |
terms with the Cubans through the in |
termediation of the United States, ex-
pressing the opinion that otherwise Spain |
will have greater dangers to face after |
the United States Congress meets.