THE AFGHAN WAR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 282, 26 August 1880, Page 2

THE AFGHAN WAR.

The following messages have already appeared in Melbourne papers to hand by the s.s. Tararua, at the Bluff.— London, Aug. IS.

It is announced that the British force stationed at Khelat-i-Ghihai, an advanced station about 30 miles north of Candahar, was safe on the Bth instant. The Indian office discredit any collusion between Ayoub Khan and Abdur Eahman. One of Abdur Rahman’s chiefs, while travel ling with secret despatches to General Kaufmann in Central Asia, early in July last, was killed and his despatches stolen. " , The rumour that the Afghans had taken Charaan is untrue. _ , There are now 35 days’ supplies at Canoa--1 har. Ayoub Khan’s forces now number 20,000 men. The Herati portion desire to return ! home with their share of the plunder. The • Cabul troops have declared in favour of i Abdur Rahman, the ne v Ameer. General Phayre has been for the last 10 days massing troops in the Rhojuck Pass, and has mw i force of 6,000 men under his wmmatuL There has been some heavy fighting with some tribes north-west of Sibi, in wlnohM of the Anglo-Indian force were killed, and much luggage was lost, together with a trea-sure-chest containing £15,000. , - , The Standard confirms the reports which have been published as to the presence of European officers with Ayoub Khan s army but says that whether the are Russians or Europeans in the Persian service is onhas been received in which states that the cause of Ayoub *h*ns inactivity since his victory over General Burrows’ brigade was attributable to the fact that he was severely wounded during the encounter, and that since then considerable dissension exists amongst his army. xtus report, however, requires confirmation. _ General Stewart, in Supreme command of the British forces in northern had an interview on August Uth with the new Ameer, Abdur Rahman, prior to evacuating Cabul. He congratulated the Ameer on his accession to power, and stated that he naa confidence that he would faithfully fufiU the assurances he had given of goodwill to the British Government. Abdur reply expressed his gratitude to the British Government for their recognition of himae ruler of Afghanistan, and declared his arm intention of loyally carrying out the arrangements he had entered into. . The indecision of Ayoub Khan after his recent victory over General Burrows enabled General Primrose to greatly strenghen his position at Candahar. Afghans ri are encamped in the neighbourhood, . but ’avoid any general encounter. There has,-howevei% been very severe skirmishing between the out posts of the British and Ayoub’s which the latter have in every instance been worsted. The hostile forces in consequence have been greatly disheartened. _ Information has been received by the Viceroy which shows that Ayoub Khan wa* ao ing under the advice and with the aesietanc* of Abdur Rahman in his advance against Candahar. This discovery has tended to oast suspicion, on tho professions of tno new Ameer.

Intelligence from Canda’mr states that an attack by iyonb Khan is impending, and that preparations are being made in his army for an attempt to carry the city by assault. Lord Hartington announced to the House of Commons that ttwas not the intention of the British Government to appoint a British Kesident at Cabul, but that arrangements have been made with the Ameer to receive a Native envoy who would represent the Yiceroy. Aug. 16 The British forces under the command of General Stewart, which evacuated Cubul last week, have continued their march in the direct ion of Jellalabad without molestation. No hostile demonstration has been encoun--s&d up to the present, and the inhabitants who were seen have shown themselves friendly. Dissensions have broke'out amongst Ayoub Khan’s army, which are likely to retard his movements. The Herati Regiments haring ' claimed division of the spoil, became clamorous to be allowed to return home. Notwithstanding the efforts made by Ayoub to retain their services, they deserted in one body, and are now returning to Herat.