NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE Standard of Thursday published a telegram from Simla an- nouncing that General Ross had passed All Muajeed, and marched on the Valley of Dakka, at the Afghan end of the Khyber rasa, being shown the way there by some Khyberees. The story was improbable, as General Ross would have to carry provisions and ammunition and powder on men's backs, and it is still uncon- firmed. The more vraisemblant account is that he is still at Jumrood, that the Government is slowly accumulating force opposite the Bolan, the Koornm, and the Khyber Passes, and that the decision as to a winter campaign, beginning on November 11th, or a spring campaign, beginning in April, is not yet finally made. It is asserted on good authority that the Ameer has sent 6,000 regulars and a hill clan, the Momunds, to defend the Khyber, that he has advanced 15,000 men to guard the Koorum, and that be has sent a force, possibly in command of his son, Yakoob, to threaten Quettah. What is certain is that we are preparing for a campaign, that the Bengal Army is being slowly pushed northward, and that orders have been issued to all officers employed north of Delhi to join their posts forthwith. No reinforcements are under orders, but every regiment is being brought up by drafts to its full strength. The weak place will probably be found to be European cavalry.
