Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings about Afghanistan [‎130v] (268/312)

October, stating that he had that day received per
mission from the Ameer to return, and that he had
obtained the Ameer's reply to the Viceroy s
letters. All is now expectancy as to the contents
of the letter.
Further particulars of an interesting cha
racter have been recently published of the now-
historical interview between Major Cavagnari and
the Ameer's Commandant at Ali Musjid. On the
memorable 21st of September, 1878, the Mission
started at 1 o'clock a.m. from Peshawur
for Jumrood, a picturesque fort lying just
within British territory and held for us by
the chief of a village in the neighbouring
plain. Our camp was pitched to the east of the
fort. The total number accompanying the Mission
amounted to not quite 1,000, of whom 11 were
JJricish officers, four Native gentlemen, and 234
fighting men. The rest were camp followers. The
carriage consisted of 315 camels, 250 mules, and 40
horses. The whole formed a cortege considerably
over a mile in length. Conflicting reports had
reached Peshawur as to the intentions of the
Ameer. It was known that the Mir Akhor, or
Master of the Horse of the Ameer, was present at
Ali Musjid, and as he was known to be possessed
with a fanatical hatred of the English, it was
deemed unwise to send the whole convoy into the
pass until accurate information should have been
obtained as tu the intentions uf the Commandant.
Major Cavagnari was, therefore, directed to ride
forward, taking with him a small escort of the
Guides and the head man of our own frontier
villages and of the friendly Khyberees. Directly
they were perceived, the fort walls were manned,
and shortly afterwards a number of troops lined the
opposite ridge. Aiter considerable delay a messenger
arrived and announced that the Commandant would
come out to meet Major Cavagnari and three others
at a spot indicated by the side of the stream, half
way between the two ridges.
Shortly afterwards he was seen approaching, and
Major Cavagnari, taking with him the Commandant
of the Guides and two of his escort,and accompanied
by the head man of the tribes, went forward to
meet Faiz Mahomed, the rest of the escort remain
ing on the ridge. On his way, the chief of one of
the other Khyber tribes friendly to the Ameer at
tempted to stop him, on the plea that he was ac
companied by more than the stipulated number.
Major Cavagfnari, however, put him aside, saying
that he had come to talk not with him but with the
A.meer's officers. On meeting Faiz Mahomed,
>Iajor Cavagnari shook hands with him, and the
Vwo parties sat down, surrounded by a couple of
hundred of Faiz Mahomed's soldiers. The conversa
tion, after the usual friendly greetings, was opened
by Major Cavagnari, who said that both he and the
Commandant were equally servants of their respec-
iive Governments, and, therefore, only carrying
out their orders. There was, therefore, no neces-
jrityjor the disouiaion being carried on in any. but
a friendly spirit ; that he, Faiz Mahomed, must be
aware of the intended advance of the Mission, and
that Sir Neville Chamberlain had sent him on to
ascertain from his own lips whether he had re
ceived orders relative to the reception of the Mis
sion. If there were any latitude in the terms of his
I orders, he felt sure that the commandant would be
aware of the heavy responsibility he would incur
by preventing the advance of the Mission, as his
act would be accepted as the act of the
Ameer. laiz Mahomed replied that he him
self was actuated by friendly feelings to
wards Major Cavagnari, in proof of which he
pointed out that, instead of coming down to
meet him, he might have ordered his men to fire
on his party when it appeared. He proceeded to
say that he had already been severely reprimanded
j for allowing the Viceroy's Envoy, Nawab An honorific title; an official acting as a provincial deputy ruler in South Asia; or a significant Muslim landowner in nineteenth century India. Gholam
Hussein, to pass, and that, therefore, he could not
permit the advance of the Mission. He begged
that Sir Neville Chamberlain would halt, till he
could communicate with Cabul. This, Major
Cavagnari replied, was not only impossible but un
necessary, as the Cabul authorities had long been
aware of the approach of the Mission. The
conversation continued in this strain for
some little time. Major Cavagnari urging
the weight of the responsibility Faiz Ma
homed would incur, and the latter repeating his
inability to allow the Mission to pass without a
permit from Cabul. At last, on Major Cavagnari
again pointing out the friendly nature of the Mis
sion, the Afghan, showing for the first time some
warmth, said the object of this friendship was
merely to stir up dissension in the Ameer's domi
nions by bribing his subjects to disobey his orders
! —" by bribing you and others" (here alluding to
the negotiations with the Khybereos for the safe
conduct of the Mission). At this an ambiguous
murmur was heard from the soldiers, and
Major Cavagnari replied that that was not a
subject for subordinates to discuss, and that if
the Ameer had any complaint to make, no doubt
the Government would give him a satisfactory
reply. He then asked for a fina' answer, whether
he was distinctly to understand that the Mission
would be resisted by force. Faiz Mahomed replied
that he had no alternative if the Mission were
pressed. On this Major Cavagnari asked the chiefs
with him whether they considered this a sufficiently
clear answer, to which they replied that it was per
fectly clear. He then thanked Faiz Mahomed for his
courtesy, and expressed a hope that they might
j again meet in more agreeable circumstances.
| He again shook hands with him and departed. It
1 was then perceived that the Ameer had no possible
j intention of receiving the Mission, and it was ac-
j cordingly dissolved.
The following are some of the principal Press
telegrams which have been circulating during the
week, but which have not been authenticated.
The Ameer has summoned the heads of the Border
tribes, who have agreed to obey his summonses.
The Momunds are marching to join the Ameer's
forces. Yakoob Shan has been released and has
been appointed in command of the Ameer's Kuram
force. There is a strong hostile feeling existing
between the Khyberees and the Ameer's troops. J
Firing has been heard in the Khyber Pass, and it
is stated that the Khyberees have been attacked
and their villages harassed by order of the
Ameer.
It is reported in Lahore that Yarkand is in pos
session of the Russians, and that they have offered
one crore Equivalent to ten million, or one hundred lakhs. Used especially in connection with money (rupees). of Bokhara tilas for a footing in Herat,
and are said to be purchasing grain for troops in
large quantities.
The following newsis authentic:—TheMhairwarra
battalion has volunteered for frontier service, and
their offer has been accepted by the Government.
The following is the gazetted detail of the
troops for the frontier operations Kuram
Column, Major-General F. S. Roberts,V.C., C.B.,
commanding.—Three batteries artillery, a squadron
of 10th Hussars, 12th Bengal Cavalry, the 17th
Foot, six regiments Native Infantry. Mooltan Divi
sion, Lieutenant General Donald Stewart, C.B.
commanding.—Eight batteries with siege train'
15th Hussars, two regiments of Bengal Cavalry'
59th and 60th Foot, and five Native reeiments.
The Quettah Column, Major-General A. S. Bid-
dulph, C.B., commanding.—Two mountain and one -V
field batteries, three regiments of native cavalry,
the 18th Foot, and six regiments native infantry!
Sappers and engineers are attached to each column.
The Maharajah of Cashmere has proposed to the
British authorities to arrange measures in view of 1
the famine in Cashmere for the more speedy im
portation of grain, and also to facilitate the emi- .
gration of those distressed Cashmiries who may be
unable to obtain support.
BURMAH.
DARJEELING, O ct. 13.
All is quiet in Burmah. The obsequies of the
king have been solemnized. Europeans were allowed
j to view the body lying in State.