"مجلد I مذكرات بخصوص بلاد فارس والمنطقة الحدودية الشمالية الغربية. ١٩٠٥." [و‎‎١‎٠‎٩] (٣١٠/٢٢٢)

[ 7 1
KASHGAR.
Reports have been received from more
than one source that the Russians are preparing
for a move into Kashgaria during the ensuing
autumn, and Mr. Macartney has been in
structed to report, through His Majesty’s
Minister at Peking, anything that he may
hear corroborating these reports.
LADAKH.
A glacier has fallen in on the upper
Shyok River, north-west of the Sasser Pass,
and an enormous lake—said to be five miles
long—has been formed. If this hursts sudden
ly, the results must be serious, and it can only
be hoped that the wall of ice will melt
gradually. The dam is being watched with a
view to warning the people should it burst.
GILGIT AGENCY.
A serious flood occurred in the Gilgit River
on the 17th June, from the bursting of a
dam formed by the advance of the Shuktar
glacier (about 78 miles above Gilgit). The
suspension bridge across the river at Gilgit,
by means of which communication is main
tained with Hunza, was washed away. A
temporary bridge is, however, being put up,
pending the erection of a permanent one of
a new design. The water in the river is
said to have risen, in a few minutes, 20
feet above ordinary flood level. Considerable
damage was done to property, cultivation,
and communications in the Punyal, Ishkaman,
and Gilgit valleys, but no loss of life has been
reported.
Muhammad Akbar Khan, the late ruler
of Punyal (see Journal for January), left Astor
for Srinagar on the 28th June under a military
guard.
The Mir of Hunza has been permitted to
send his representatives to the Taghdumbash
Pamir to collect the annual taxes. They bear
a letter from the Mir to the Amban of Sarikol
which, as usual, was submitted to the Political
Agent for approval.
NORTH-WEST FRONTIER*
General .—Orders have been issued for the
rearmament of the Border Military Police
in the North-West Frontier Province with
Martini-Henry rifles. The Dir and Swat
Levies will be similarly rearmed.
Dir, Stoat, and Bajaur .—Since the settle
ment of the Maidan and Jandol disturbances
(see last Journal), nothing has occurred to
break the peace, though a good deal of intrigue
is still afoot. Shahi Bibi continues to hanker
after the Khanate of Dir for herself and
Miangul Jan, and may yet try and upset
the Chakdarra Agreement. Badshah Khan has