The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette. — 1879-09-16 (Dorchester, Dorset, England)

AFGHAN WAR.  BOMBAY, TIBMUIDAT.—Mamy rumours are current Upon the frontier as to what is passing In Cabal. Among the natives there are persistent reports that 1 the Ameer is dead. Their accounts, however, differ as to the mode of death Some reports lay that he has been killed by the mutineen, others that he has committed suicide. It is stated that serious riot' have been going on in the city. The mutineers, with the town rabble, racked the ballast!, and many peaceful traders and citizens were killed. At Candahar the eroatest activity prevalbi. The greater part of ieneral Stewart's envision is again concentrated there, and preparations are being made for an advance to Khelist-i-Ohilmi. The trading population of the town are delighted at our reMroLang .the general feeling is excellent. The people of innaaher have long groaned under the yoke of Cabul, and hope that the turn of events may again make their city cttadlja of Afghanistan. M have o°M° t° from Canal urging a rising against the British on the 15th of thismooth. Therein no fear of • disturbances on a large scale at Csedshar, though isolated outbursts of religious fanaticism may take place. The interest centre* upon the tonne which Gliusni and the Ghillais may pursue. Ghuzni, always one of the most fanatical and turbulent towns in Afghanistan, will probably go with Cabot The Csmishar chiefs are of opinion that the Heratee regiments which led the mutiny at Cabul acted under the secret orders of Ayoob Khan, Governor of Herat, who • short time since wrote • violent letter to the Ameer upbraiding him bitterly for making peace with the English. He is known to be an ambitious and unscrupulous man, and to be jealous of his brother's supremacy.—The Bombay papers having sent a remonstrance to the Government against the edict forbidding any special correspondents to accompany the army, the Government have replied : Every non-combatant accompanying the force, especially if an Englishman, lessens the power of Government to provide food and carriage for the cornIntents. No Englishman can in Afghanistan provide his own food and carriage. Circumstances in an Afghan war are entirely different from those in • European war. Moreover, Government would to some extent be responsible for the personal safety of non-combatants permitted to accompany the forces, and the resources would so far be weakened. It is not as if the question were of one or two men. Directly a newspaper is allowed to send a special correspondent many others demand • similar concession, and it is impossible to draw a line." Public opinion is in favour of special correspondents being allowed to accompany the army. If • regulation were made that no correepondents should be allowed to go, unless provided with sufficient transport to be altogether independent of the army, the number who would go would not be large j but fair and open narrative and criticism would be possible, which is not the cam when officers act by permission. Besides, these latter may be left behind on duty or killed in action, and the newspaper they represent be left without correspondents at critical point.. of the campaign. As to personal safety, special correspondent, can be trusted to take care of themselves. The fact that General Roberta before showed himself so sensitive to criticism explains fully the step taken.