Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings about Afghanistan [‎118v] (244/312)

i ENGLAND AND CABUL.
MARCH ON THULL.
[BY INDO-EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH.]
[from our special correspondekt.]
SIMLA, O ct . 9 (9.25 p.m.)
The troops composing the Kurram column
are now rapidly collecting at Kohat, wbsro
General Roberts arrived to-day.
Two regiments marched to-day from Kohat
to Thull.
The Council will Jit in Calcutta under a
President in Council during the Viceroy's ab
sence at Lahore.
The new King of Burmah has announced the
remission of some commercial taxes.
[BY DAILY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL WIRB.i
[from our ,0"wn correspondent.]
VIENNA, W ednesday N ight.
The Exchange Gazette, of St. Petersburg,
publishes che following:
If our constant advance in Central Asia, has
any fixed object—if we are to derive any
real profit from our possessions there, and not
allow them to suck our blood and exhaust our
treasury for ever—we cannot remain neutral iu
the Afghan question. The problem as to whe
ther we can protect ourselves against England's
pretensions m the East can only be solved
in Afghanistan. If the mountain passes
continue to be under our influence, our strength
in the East will equal that of the English, but if
1 the passes go to England there will be no end
; to her claims and interference in our Central
Asiatic affairs. Afghanistan is the most im-
| portant strategical point in the whole territory
1 involved in the Eastern dispute, and there wg
! can oppose England most advantageously with
! every hope of success. We can oblige England
to throw her entire resources into a war with
Afghanistan—to play the Empire of India and
the question of her political rank on one card—'
whereas war in Afghanistan would require
hardly any effort on our part It is
consequently in our interest not only to afford
assistance to the Ameer, but to make his causa
our own.
[reuter's telegram.1
SIMLA, O ct . 9.
It is officially stated that no collision with
; the Afghans has yet occurred anywhere on the
i frontier, and no immediate attack on Ali Musjid
is contemplated. Beyond active military pre-
i parations nothing has been done, and all state-
| ments to the contrary must be received with
[ caution. . • ■ ■
THE AFGHAN WAR.
REPORTED CAPTURE OP THE;
KHYBER PASS.
ADVANCE UPON DAKKA.
(B y E astern T elegraph.")
(fbou our own correspondent.)
SIMLA, Wednesday Nioht.
I have just been informed, upon what I believe
to be good authority, that the column under
General Ross has passed the fort of Ali Musjid, and
that Dakka will be captured to-morrow at any cost.
It is now definitely settled that the Government
will leave for Calcutta on the 10th of November.
The Viceroy will remain at Lahore till the 20th of
December.
The new King of Burmah has issued a decree
'JW 'episuoAv—prenocr "uismpooAV su uosii:/A
" Timnojfi—Xq 'snsuo stuino fit -jx?
ij'bsq 'niisvpooo—enipaajf) picj 'abcuidoj s.uocwi'bdr 'x' "ci 'jk
•asaoH
•qotia *25 soarnoo
jo sisnnm moj 'qona "?0t pnu pxitfl "2(js paooas '70s jsnutm,
; qtraa -sox 19 ' estrfdnj Jioa Z?. m "KCTVXR HONI HOO r I 9qx
•ayj © soy ;—jno^ssataii '.tg; v £ q '(ssodsa e^bf) oOqamg wn uaibpuxm
•d •JK ifiiaq 'aqsnTX—'a^areSjo s.uuuoo 'o '-'K
•(X) sag 3 irimninjx—iai'BA'BO M 's^irtmoxi su Ttappii
■jj \[ ^bsq ^q 'mu oqi jo ontfbf s.jtnxjw '0 '•'w
■xofx (joiiufx-r-jCJOx itq 'iciSifx B.sSSijg;
'i ■•ill TGaq picaod ^q^'nai.iai{?«j-i s.noitSutpp'B'H P-to r x
•waf annofx--au<ns3in,u r x '^ci ^q asij sn nos-tn^j;
a^aq 'Aij'BAiqo—tt^raiii'janoo Xq 'aa7(00<l>[Ji c x -q -.tr^
•auijipsy;—jxooi j jo joi.t^ 'jxv /Cq 'mtaiiia c x mh
l^aq 'piagaij-E/vV^nnnj—oiujifx aq '[oa:{A\^x s.ajpajQ.xv -.ii/f
•q^adsia;—(jaejiCj, Xq 'ajg ioqdoqsfaqo s.^ooppeio 'jxtt
^faq 'aso-Trajij—aiqmoioiaqv ^q 'mnnoa^ qsi^ug; en Suiajx 'J, '-'Vi
•Bdnm.ix 3° ooy—sipp^i asuoqauo^g iq 'jjiupoo^ s.Mo.ipoo^ '/A jpj[
I'eaq 'jaiBAtasoa—aiujqa Aq 'BBeio-jC-suejx e.ooosug; 'V 'JIM
t ai&tv c~ i-— * hl
The news telegraphed to us at a late hour last
1 night by our Correspondent at Simla is of the highest
importance : he states that he has good authority for
saying that General Ross's column has passed the fort
of Ali Musjid and is marching on Bakka, which
is to be attacked and captured at any cost.
The Dakka meant is, of course, Dakka Kalan,
which lies at the Afghan mouth of the Khyber
Pass, and is distant only two miles from Lalpura.
The news certainly is surprising, as our telegrams
for the last two days had prepared us for a delay
of some length before the commencement of hos
tilities. Still, it is possible that the facts may
be as stated, as a portion at least of the large rein
forcements known to be on the march may have
arrived at Jumrood and thus raised the force under
General Ross to a point which would, in the
opinion of the military authorities, justify an
advance.
It is to be remarked that the telegram does not say
that the fort of AH Musjid has been captured, but
that it has been passed. It could not be passed by
a column advancing up the Pass; for the
gorge is completely swept by its guns,
and if the British troops are in the upper
part of the valley marching upon Dakka,
they must have been guided by the Khyberees
over some mountain paths known only to them.
This is quite possible, but in that case the troops
advancing cannot have taken guns with them. It
appears a bold step for such a column to throw
itself ' in the rear of a strong force such as
that which holds the fort of Ali Musjid, but bold
ness in a case like this is pften the safest policy, and
the chances are that if the Afghans defending
the fort of Ali Musjid find that we are
in their rear, they will at once evacuate
the fort and retreat across the hills as best^
they may. Dakka is probably defended, like the
majority of Afghan towns, by a mud wall, and four
thousand British troops once in possession could
hold the place against an unlimited force
of Afghans. The possession would not only
strike a panic in the minds of the enemy's force in
the Khyber Pass, but it would prevent further
reinforcements from arriving, and would especially
prevent the Momunds, who are known to be
coming down, from effecting their junction with the
Afghans at Ali Musjid,
If such an advance has really been made some
four or five thousand men will probably have been
employed upon it. The forces at Jumrood and
Peshawur should by this time amount to fully
ten thousand m6n. Half that number, with all the
artillery, would be ample for a demonstration up
the Pass towards Ali Musjid while the remainder
were crossing the mountains, and would, of course,
advance so as to make a feigned attack upon the
fort directly it was known that the first column
had done their work.
The telegram has at least this point in its
favour, that though an unfounded rumour that we
had attacked and captured Ali Musjid would be
likely enough to get about, it seems somewhat im
probable that anyone would have invented the news
of our having turned Ali Musjid and of our march-
ing upon Dakka before the fall of the
guardian fortress of the Khyber. If the story
be a true one, the exploit is worthy of the best
traditions of the prowess of the British army in
India. The boldness of the deed will strike the
native mind throughout India, and will have a most
depressing influence upon the defence of the
Afghans. There is nothing improbable in our
finding a mountain path which would lead us
to the rear of AU Musjid. It has often
been asserted that the position could be turned.
There are very few mountain passes which
cannot be turned when an advancing army can
obtain guides from among the natives. There are
tracks from village to village unmarked upon
any map, but constantly used by the country
people ; and by a path such as this the Khyberees
may possibly have guided our advancing column.
The Ameer of Cabul made a great mistake
' when, instead of doing his best to tempt
the Afredees back to their allegiance to him, he gave
orders to his troops to harass their villages as a
punishment for allowing our Mission to enter the
Pass. Anger and interest should alike serve to
cement the alliance between ourselves and these
mountain tribes, and if the present news be true,
the benefit we have already obtained from their
friendship would be cheaply purchased at a price
sufficient to enrich them for a generation.
ENGLAND AND CABUL.
MARCH ON THULL.
[BY INDO-EUROPEAN TELEGRAPH.]
[from our special correspondent.]
SIMLA, Oct. 9 (9.25 P.m.)
The troops composing the Kurram column
are now rapidly collecting at Kohat, whsre
General Eoberts arrived to-day.
Two regiments marched to-day from Kohat 1
to Thull.
The Council will Jit in Calcutta under a
President in Council during the Viceroy's ab
sence at Lahore.
The new King of Burmah has announced the
remission of some commercial taxes.
[BY DAILY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL WIRE.i
[from our ,own correspondent.]
VIENNA^ W ednesday Night.
The Exchange Gazette, of St. Petersburg^
publishes the following:
If our constant advance in Central Asia has
any fixed object—if we are to derive any
real profit from our possessions there, and not
{ allow them to suck our blood and exhaust our
treasury for ever—we cannot remain neutral in
! the Afghan question. The problem as to whe
ther we can protect ourselves against England a
5 pretensions m the East can only be solved
in Afghanistan. If the mountain passes
continue to be under our influence, our strength
in the East will equal that of the English, but if
1 the passes go to England there will be no end
to her claims and interference in our Central
Asiatic affairs. Afghanistan is the most im-
j portant strategical point in the whole territory
i involved in the Eastern dispute, and there wg
1 can oppose England most advantageously with
every hope of success. We can oblige England
to throw her entire resources into a war with
Afghanistan—to play the Empire of India and
the queetion of her political rank on one card—-
whereas war in Afghanistan would require
hardly any effort on our part It is
consequently in our interest not only to afford
assistance to the Ameer, but to make his causd
our own.
[reuter's telegram.1
SIMLA, Oct. 9.
It is officially stated that no collision with
the Afghans has yet occurred anywhere on the
i frontier, and no immediate attack on Ali Musjid
is contemplated. Beyond active military pre-
, parations nothing has been done, and all state-
j ments to the contrary must be received with
caution.
THE AFGHAN WAR.
REPORTED CAPTURE OF THE
KHYBEB PASS.
advance upon dakka.
(B y E astern T elegraph.")
(from cub own correspondent.)
SIMLA, W ednesday N ight.
I have just been informed, upon what I believe
to be good authority, that the column under
General Ross has passed the fort of Ali Musjid, and
that Dakka will be captured to-morrow at any cost.
It is now definitely settled that the Government
will leave for Calcutta on the 10th of November.
The Viceroy will remain at Lahore till the 20th of
December.
The new King of Burmah has issued a decree
considerably relaxing the Customs duties at the
ports, and has also lightened the internal taxation
of the kingdom. Various reforms are to be
introduced.
It is now stated that Abdulla J an died of heart
disease,
(from our own correspondent.)
CALCUTTA, W ednesday M orning.
It is considered here to be improbable that
any further advance beyond Jumrood will be made
for some days, in order that the troops now going
up may arrive before serious operations commence,
but no official information whatever ia forthcoming
as to what is taking place.
It is rumoured that a letter has arrived from the
Ameer.
The Afghan force at Ali Musjid now amount
to eight regular regiments of infantry and j
eighteen guns. Colonel Villiers, military secretary
to the Viceroy, and brother to Lady Lytton, will
accompany the Peshawur column.
I The news telegraphed to us at a late hour last
1 night by our Correspondent at Simla is of the highest
importance : he states that he has good authority for
saying that General Ross's column has passed the fort
of Ali Musjid and is marching on Dakka, which
is to be attacked and captured at any cost.
The Dakka meant is, of course, Dakka Kalan,
which lies at the Afghan mouth of the Khyber
Pass, and is distant only two miles from Lalpura.
The news certainly is surprising, as our telegrams
for the last two days had prepared us for a delay
of some length before the commencement of hos
tilities. Still, it is possible that the facts may
be as stated, as a portion at least of the large rein
forcements known to be on the march may have
arrived at Jumrood and thus raised the force under
General Ross to a point which would, in the
opinion of the military authorities, justify an j
advance.
It is to be remarked that the telegram does not say
that the fort of Ali Musjid has been captured, but
that it has been passed. It could not be passed by
a column advancing up the Pass; for the
gorge is completely sWept by its guns,
and if the British troops are in the upper
part of the valley marching upon Dakka,
they must have been guided by the Khyberees
over some mountain paths known only to them.
This is quite possible, but in that case the troops
advancing cannot have taken guns with them. It
appears a bold step for such a column to throw
itself ' in the rear of a strong force such as
that which holds the fort of Ali Musjid, but bold
ness in a case like this is often the safest policy, and
the chances are that if the Afghans defending
the fort of Ali Musjid find that we are
in their rear, they will at once evacuate :
the fort and retreat across the hills as best''
they may. Dakka is probably defended, like the
majority of Afghan towns, by a mud wall, and four
thousand British troops once in possession could j
hold the place against an unlimited force
of Afghans. The possession would not only
strike a panic in the minds of the enemy's force in
the Khyber Pass, but it would prevent further
reinforcements from arriving, and would especially 1
prevent the Momunds, who are known to be
coming down, from effecting their junction with the
Afghans at Ali Musjid.
If such an advance has really been made some
four or five thousand men will probably have been
employed upon it. The forces at Jumrood and
Peshawur should by this time amount to fully j
ten thousand m6n. Half that number, with all the j
artillery, would be ample for a demonstration up 1
the Pass towards Ali Musjid while the remainder
were crossing the mountains, and would, of course,
advance so as to make a feigned attack upon the
fort directly it was luiown that the first column i
had done their work.
The telegram has at least this point in its '
favour, that though an unfounded rumour that we i
had attacked and captured Ali Musjid would be j
likely enough to get about, it seems somewhat im
probable that anyone would have invented the news
of our having turned Ali Musjid and of our march
ing upon Dakka before the fall of the
guardian fortress of the Khyber. If the story
be a true one, the exploit is worthy of the best
traditions of the prowess of the British army in
India. The boldness of the deed will strike the
native mind throughout India, and will have a most
depressing influence upon the defence of the
Afghans. There is nothing improbable in our
finding a mountain path which would lead us
to the rear of Ali Musjid. It has often
been asserted that the position could be turned.
There are very few mountain passes which
cannot be turned when an advancing army can
obtain guides from among the natives. There are
tracks from village to village unmarked upon
■any map, but constantly used by the country
people ; and by a path such as this the Khyberees
may possibly have guided our advancing column.
The Ameer of Cabul made a great mistake
1 when, instead of doing his best to tempt
the Afredees back to their allegiance to him, he gave
orders to his troops to harass their villages as a
punishment for allowing our Mission to enter the
Pass. Anger and interest should alike serve to
cement the alliance between ourselves and these
mountain tribes, and if the present news be true,
the benefit we have already obtained from their
friendship would be cheaply purchased at a price
sufficient to enrich them for a generation.