Bridport, Beaminster, and Lyme Regis Telegram and Dorset, Somerset, and Devon Advertiser. — 1879-09-19 (Bridport, Dorset, England)

AFGHAN WAR.  BOMBAY, THURSDAY.—Many rumours are current upon the frontier as to what is passing in Cebu!. Among the natives there are persistent reports that the Ameer is dead. Their accounts, however, differ as to the mode of death. Some reports say that he has been killed by the mutineers, other's that he has committed suicide. It is stated that serious riots have been going on in the city. The mutineers, with the town rabble, sacked the bazaara, and many peaceful traders and citizens were killed. At Candahar the greatest activity prevails. The greater part of ' General Stewart's division is again concentrated there, and preparations are being made for an advance to Khelat-i-Ghilzai. The trading population of the town are delighted at our return, and the general feeling is excellent. The people of Candahar have long groaned under the yoke of Calm!, and hope that the turn of events may again make their city capital of Afghanistan. Messages have come to Candahar from Cabul urging a rising against the British on the 15th of this month. Thereis no fear of a disturbances on a large scale at Candahar, though isolated outbursts of religious fanaticism may take place. The interest centres upon the course which Ghuzni and the Ghilzaim may pursue. Ghuzni, always one of the most fanatical and turbulent towns in Afghanistan, will probably go with Cabul. The Candahar 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 a short time since wrote a 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 jealeum 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 heel and carriage for the combatants. No Englishman can in Afghanistan provide his own food and carriage. Circumstances in an Afghan war are entirely different from those in a European war. Moreover, Goveniment 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 mend a special correspondent many others demand a 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 a regulation were made that u correspondents should be allowed to go, unless provided with sufficient transport to he altogether independent of the army, the number who would go would not be large; but fair and open narrative and criticism would be pomsible, which is not the came 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 points of the campaign. As to personal safety, special correspondents can be trusted to take care of themselves. The fact that General Roberts before showed himself so sensitive to criticism explains fully the step taken.