The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-11-14
India's Northwestern Frontier.

1ndia's Northwestern Frontier.
Admiral SHADES effort TO suppress
gun running on the coast of the Arabian
Sea has met with unusual success. hut
at the same time has brought uneN-
pected trouble to the British Govern
ment. The Admiralty reports that
while the expedition has cost about
5000 il has been able 10 intercept
moro than 500 rifles and several thou
sand rounds OF ammunition. in all about
two-thrds OF the shipments made by
the merchants of M,iscat TO the Persian
coast. This activity. however, has re-
suited in the development of a latent
skill for weapon making in northern
India and has united for the first time
In years the native tribes along the
northwestern frontier in opposition to
the English rule.
Muscat was the depot for arms and
ammunition that were loaded upon
dhows and landed somewhere upon the
opposite shore Of the Arabian Sea for i'm
portation into BelmChistan. Afghanistan
and the strip Of independent territory
along the northwestern border Of India
II was one profitable trade that was lef,
the Adventures Of this part Of the East
after piracy and slave dealing had been
suppressed, and the traffic. to their ideas.
was as legal as anything that they could
undertake. The supplies were carried
by caravans along prescribed routes
guarded by native escorts against high
way robbers. The British In blocking
the trade merely became -robbcrs. the
natives declaring that they were de-
prived not only Of means of carrying on
a successful war or raid but also Of tho
profits Of somewhat lucrative business
As measures of retaliation they made
raids upon Indian territory. and when AZ
last they consented To send deputat ions
to the British Commissioners their
representatives appeared expressing no
contrition for the raids, bat demanding
compensation for the losses sustained
over the stoppage Of the arms traffic.
To meet the demand for weapons for
the native raiders many of the ancient
smithies are being turned into primitive
gun factories. Rifle making has thus
become craft that fourishes in remote
places along the frontier. The Times "
India says Darrah in the Adam khel
country possesses several workshops
equipped with a surprising amount OF
machinery few Of the workme are
Punjabis, but most are the Pathans
from the neighborhood OF the khyb-r
Pass, who are applying themselves most
diligently 10 learn the art of rifle making
They are even said to take the trouble
to apply for mental employment in
workshops in Punjab in order 10 learn
tho trade" An instance of their inge-
nuity was furnished a short time ago
when British inspectors confscated a
large shipment OF small rifles made 10
resemble canes that was on the way TO
one of the revolutionary parties Of Cen
trail India.
| The Frontier Militia and Border Mill
tary Police are unable 10 cope with the
raiders, 40 they form their plans in
security on the other side OF the border
or in Aghanistan. and from these safe
recesses make rushes into British terri
tory. marrying, robbin9 and numbering
inhabitants and then falling back across
the frontier. where the militia and
police are unable to follow. The ma
tive dearly loves raid. and II caught
red handed he dies like a man II has
been argued that the British should take
possession Of this independent terri
tory and that the frontier should be
made one with the Afghan boundary.
But the objection is the increased burden
Of occupation and the resistance Of the
people. Tho task Of guarding the
border and thousands of miles 81 road
and several posts against trib~smen
Infatuated by the loas OF independence
il scarcely considered worth the effort
The final adjustment Of the question IL
apparently awaiting the arrival in India
Of Sir GEORGE o. Roos-KEPPEL. who
has been recalled from England. In
the meantime tho Kohat Pass and sew
eral trade routes have been closed,
friendly tribes have been armed. and the
garrisons have been increased at all the