The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1900-01-19
NEWS TRAVELS QUICKLY.
The Tribesmen of India and Africa
Have q Mysterious Method
of Communication.


dian papers refer to the keen interest
taken by the natives in the two coun-
tries in the war between the British
and the Beers. A regular system of
communication is said to have been es-
tablished between stations on the west
and the northwest frontier of India and
the hill country, by which all informa-
ton concerning the progress OF the war
is transmitted with extraordinary ra-
pidity among the trihesmen. How it is
done is a mystery yet unsolved; but
one Indian paper affirms that the news
of the beginning of hostilities in South
Africa was already known across the
frontier when it was received at Pesha-
wur by telegraph. The effect of it was
seen in the agitation that began among
the tribes, and in a call sent out by the
mullah of Povindah for 5000 men to as
semble, ostensibly to march against
some recalcitrant chieftains. He also
issued proclamation ascribing the de-
feats of the tribesmen last year to the
want of harmony among them, and
pointing out that if they wanted to re-
cover their independence they must rise
all together. In consequence of this
agitation British force has been sent
to the frontier to the point threatened.
A Rhodesian paper, in announcing the
outbreak of the war, laments the abb
sence of Geographic communication be-
tween Beira and the cost towns of Natal
and Cape Colony, by which news could
be received of the progress of hostili-
ties, and says that if all other means
of communication fail they will have to
fall back upon the native houseboys.
It says that it has certainly been more
than surprising in previous African
wars how early and correct was the in
formation the natives seemed to pos
sess. An instance is given in which
during the last Mashona war the Ma
shonas in the Umtali district knew of
the battle at the Shangani river on the
evening of the same day on which it
was fought. How such speed of COM
munication was secured is still a puz-
zle. Whether it was done by shouting
from hill to hill or by fleet runners in
relays, the result, the covering of 400
miles in eight hours, was marvel.
A writer describing the interest taken
tween the British and Beers says that
the war is to be regretted because of
the demoralizing effect it is producing
on the natives. One of the greatest
projections which the white man car
ries with him among the ,Bantu tribes is
the belief that all white men are broth.
ers, and that an in jury to one will be
avenged by all. Further, among the
benefits which the white man has
brought to Africa is the possibility of
peace. War in all its aspects has been
for SO many centuries the natural or
der of things that it has more than as
tonished the Bantus, to which the Mata.
habiting Rhodesia and the neighbor.
ing territories belong, to meet with
people who believed that peace, not
war, was the best condition of things
Now that the native has discovered that
the white men, too, can fight with each
other, the attempt to impress the ma
tives with the advantages of peace will
fail, and for this reason the war is to
be regretted. But the danger of gen
eral native rising is not apprehended,
the security of the whites in the alb
sence of union among the various
kraals, the chiefs of which, while ready
to fight each for his own land, cannot
another or under the leadership of
paramount chief.-N. Y. Sun.