AFGHANISTAN.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2041, 8 September 1880, Page 3

AFGHANISTAN.

We extract the following intelligence from the “ Bombay Gazette,” and the telegraphic colume of the “ Ceylon Observer,” to August 4th :

Nows from Oandahar states that on Shere Ali ordering his force to retire from Camp Kadanak, towards Ghirishk, on Wednesday morning, the infantry deserted in a body, taking guns, arms, and ammunition, and went off towards Zemindawar. The British force crossed the river in pursuit, and overtook them at Shoraki, and completely dispersed them, killing 200, and recovering guns and baggage. Shere Ali’s cavalry, numbering over 1000, and all officers remained faithful. His treasury also is safe. On the 23rd July, at Oahul, the Khutba was read and prayers offered on behalf of the new Ameer. An address was read by the Chief Kazi, reviewing the whole course of English relations with Afghanistan from the time of Dost Mohammed Khan, showing that our action had been disinterested, and that we have now proved ourselves people of our word in restoring a Mohammedan ruler, although we were in full possession of the country. Tho ceremony was attended by several thousand people of all classes. The Khutba, in the name of Abdul Rahman, was received enthusiastically, the blessing of the people being continued for several minutes. All sections of Kizilbashes were present, traders, artizans, and many members of the Barkzai family. Lord Hartington’s announcement in the Commons regarding the papers supplied by tho Government of India, showing tho war expenditure, must be interpreted that further revelations have yet to be made. It now appears that the total cost of tho war is likely to roach a sum, not of five and a half millions, as represented in the Budget, and not of ten millions, as indicated by the despatch of May 4th, but of about fifteen millions over and above cost of frontier railways. It hag boon ascertained that, up to the 31st March, instead of three and a half millions, as shown by the regular estimates of the Budget statement, tho actual outgoings from civil treasuries had amounted to nine and a half millions sterling. Regarding the disaster to the force under General Burrows, it was stated in a telegram, dated August Ist, that it was reported from Oandahar that the main body of Ayoub’s troops crossed the Helmund and wore at Haidarabad on the east bank. Parties of his cavalry were foraging about the country near our camp, 400 horsemen were met on the 22nd July by our cavalry reconnaissance, and forced to retreat. Tho British cavalry and guns were induced to follow the enemy’s cavalry, and were thus led into an ambuscade. Ayoub’s army then attacked, and our troops suffered severely, the battle resulting in our retirement on Oandahar, but Ayoub’s army also suffered much. Tho “ Observer ” says that “ General Primrose must have with him in Oandahar some 8000 fighting men, of whom perhaps 3000 are British. He is besieged by a force of many times that number, with a horde of sympathisers among the townspeople. The kind of inducement offered to the Heratee ruffians was indicated in a message of the 2nd August:—“Ayoub Khan tells bis troops that the British have millions of rupees in Oandahar, which, with all other property and women, are at their disposal after they have driven out the English.” It must be remembered, too, that between Ghuznee and Cabul there have been largo gatherings of clansmen, under leaders more or less bent on causing trouble to tho British ever since General Stewart passed on his victorious march northwards. Tho moot prominent political leader is Musa Khan, already referred to, but the chief General is Mahommed Jan, Yakoub Khan’s old leader, with his brother Asmatullah Khan. Cooperating more or less with them are General Gholam Hyder (brother of Khoja Khan), Hashim and Padsha Khans, and then farther north is Mir Butcha, the ruffianly robber who. tired of inactivity, slaughtered all his near relations as one means of occupying himself and hie gang. Generals Hill, Baker, and Macpherson have inflicted punishment from time to time on some of these gatherings, but there can be no doubt that a very large array of Ghazis and Ghilzais could be mustered around Ghuznee, and marched to swell Ayoub Khan’s numbers. Wo surmise that this has been already done to some extent under his nephew Musa Khan.