THE AFGHAN WAR.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 10 September 1880, Page 2

THE AFGHAN WAR.

(PER AT AUCKLAND.)

(SPECIAX, TO SYDNEY EVENING NEWS..^ London, September 3. General Roberts, upon r-eoonnoitring, found that Ayoub Shan had taken up a position with his forces behind a ridge of hills, which he held with great strength. , He is entrenched. General Phayre is advancing with .4000 well composed troops, and three batteries of. artillery, and is expected at Candahar to-jn^oyrow, Tie force under General Roberts number and those under Ayoub Khan numbered 25,000 three days since, but 6000 of his regulars have deserted, owing to the recognition of Abdur Rahman as Ameer of Oabul. Ayoub Khan has made an attempt to negotiate with the British. Lashimdun, Mahomed .Jan, Musa Khan, and other notabilities have just joined Ayoub with many Ghayres, and the Afghan forces have taken up a strong position. General Roberts' force ia splen,did condition. General Phayre* had n,ot at latest advices reaphed Takipul, where he aome fighting. Simla, September 2. Further particulars to, hand re-, specting the attempt of Ayou,b |£han to enter into negotiations with General Roberts, It that the measengers sent by the Afghan leader wera the bearers pf a, letter frojn him couched in terms of appiogy for taking up arms against .the Y'ali of Candahar and the British forces. They declare that Ayoub had no intention of engaging hostilities against the latter, but was forced to do so. General Roberts' reply to the above communication wap o%

a peremptory character, declining to entertain any proposals for peace except on two conditions, namely, immediate surrender of all English and native prisoners now in the hands of Ayoub Khan and the complete unconditional surrender of Ayoub himself and hi ß adherents. As no guarantee was offered for compliance with these conditions, tho negotiations ceased at this point. Notwithstanding the overtures which have been made by Ayoub Khan, there is every reason to believe that he is fully prepared to resist the attack about to be made by General Roberts. Since his arrival in Agraudab Yalley, Ayoub Ivhan has been actively engaged throwing up entrenchments and defensive works, and the position he occupies is believed to be now one of considerable strength. Hj s main body of troops is at Musajan, and so far from showing a disposition to retreat before encountering General Roberts, he is partly forcing the fight which is about to ensue.