The Warwickshire Herald. — 1895-03-28 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

BRITISH REVERSE IN CHITRAL.  The Calcutta correspondent of the Times sends news of a serious British reverse in Chitral: The information which has been received so he is very vague; but apparently Captain Ross.and Lieutenant Jones, with 00 Sikhs, advanced from Bali on the Bth to assist Lieutenant Fowler and Lieutenant Edwards at Reshun, a place two Marches above Chitral. It is not known how or why Lieutenant Fowler and Lieutenant Edwards got to Reshun. The letter was supposed to be at Chitral Fort with Mr. Robertson. At a defile on the river below Haragh Captain Ross was attacked by a large body of tribesmen, who fired from behind stone breastworks on the hills, and was obliged to fall back on Boni. He found the road closed behind him, and was hemmed in by the enemy, who were estimated at 1,000 strong. He and his party sheltered themselves and held their ground during the 9th. Early next morning they resolved to fight their way back to Boni. Many were killed by rocks hurled down from the heights above them. It is reported that Captain Ross, 46 fighting men, and eight followers were killed. Lieutenant Jones reached Boni wounded with only 14 men. Lieutenant Moberly and Lieutenant Jones then gave op the idea of advancing to Reshun or of holding Boni, and retired to Mastuj. According to Lieutenant Jones's report, a large force is collected in Drasan, which flanks the route, and some of Umra Khan's men are witb them.  A telegram received at the India Office states that Lieutenants Fowler and Edwardee left Mastuj with 20 sappers, in advance of Captain Ross's party, and that Lieutenant Edwardes was wrongly reported as being in Chitral. The India Office authorities entertain no doubt that the report of Captain Rose's death is correct. The authorities in India are taking every measure to push forward reinforcements from Gilghit, and the arrangements for sending forward the expeditionary form will at once be proceeded with. The reverse ef itself is not considered serious, but its importance lies in the fact that it will probably induce many tribes who hare hitherto remained passive to take up arms and join in the fray.  THE ORIO,S OF THE IftellßLE.  The trouble in Chiral arises out of the murder in January last of the Mehtar Nizsm-ul-Mulk (who had been placed on the throne with the approval of the liritish authorities) by bis younger brother Amir-ulMulk. Amir, who ustrrpei.l the sovereignty of Chitral, is unfriendly to the British, and Dr. Robertson, the Resident at Gi!gliit, was ordered to proceed to the town of Chitral. fl is chief object was, with the assistance of a large force which was to be sent to his aid, to repel an attack on the territory of Chitral by Umra Khan of Jandol, a noted border chieftain, who has had a very successful career. The force which has met with the reverse chronicled above has not, however, been in conflict with Umra Khan's followers, but with the Chitralis themselves, who have exhibited much hostility to the advance of the British f6ree. Meantime another aspirant to the throne of Chitral has appeared in the person of Sher Afzul Khan, who made a bold bid for power in November, 1892; but, after a brief reign of a few weeks, he was driven out by the late Mehtar, Nizam-ul-Mulk. One report states that Sher Afzul has actually entered the town of Chitral and usurped the Mehtarship, and that Dr. Robertson is retiring on Gilghit ; but the statement lacks confirmation. It is furthermore reported that the people of Swat have expressed their readiness to attaok Umra Khan if the Government of India gives them • ma and support.