India.

Manawatu Herald, 4 September 1897, Page 2

India.

» The military authorities at Simla have ordered the British troops concentrated at Mahanui not to advance as a great force of Afridia holds possession of the Kobafc Pass. This order countermands one previously given to Colonel L. C. Gordon to force the-Pass. Keshallar, editor of the native paper Makrani, published at Satara, in the Bombay Presidency, has been sontenced to transportation for life for writing seditious articles headed "Preparations for Becoming Independent." Harmalkar, publisher of the paper, has been sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. The Times says the general belief in official circles is that the Ameer is not directly concerned in the tribal risings. Colonel L. C. Gordon, who was despatched to relieve Sumana, has dispersed the tribesmen oocupying EohatPass, and is continuing his march upon Sumana. Many tribesmen are gathering around Mushker, on the Bolan Quetta railway. The British political agent at Ehelat, Beluchistan, is investigating the alleged intriguing against the British authority, in connection with which three principal chief* have been arrested. The Times? Simla correspondent says that the sixth Bengal Cavalry and a battalion of Gboorkas and Punjab infantry marched through the Eohat Paas from the Peshawar side on Tuesday. The force will assume the offensive against the Orakzais, whose object is to isolate Fort Gullisfcan. Brigadier-General A.. G. Yeatman Biggs has gone to Fort Hangu to direct operations. Reinforcements will arrive forthwith. It is considered likely that the Ozakzais will receive a severe lesson. The Bengal Lancers will occupy a strongly entrenched position at Fort Bara. Two important chiefs have fled to Afghanistan, and large bodies of the villagers are crossing the border. The head men of the tribesmen are reported to be glad at the arrests of the three principal Baluchistan chiefs, who they state are noted firebrands. The Mollah of Hadda, leader of the turbulent tribesmen, threatens to attack Dir in Eafiristan, the clans in the district having supported the British. Latest reports from the frontier state that the Swatis are surrendering their arms. The rebellious tribesmen murdered and robbed the native levies holding Gazarbundost, a British post in Baluchistan. A cavalry force is pursuing the murderers. Simla reports that the delay in despatching the military expedition from India to suppress the Afridis is owing to the authority of Lord George Hamilton (Secretary of State for the Indian Department), not having been received.