The Indian Government, sorely against its will, has been compelled
to sanction a punitive expedition against the
Wuzeerees. The Ma.hstul section of this tribe holds part of the Sulaiman range, crossing the route between Gilghit and the Khyber Pass, and partly from confidence in their position, partly from extreme poverty, they have always been raiding and plundering over our frontier. It is obligatory on us to protect our people, and the Government has decided, once for all, to reduce the Wuzeerees to submission. They have nearly 20,000 matchlocks, and a wonderful country for defence, and the chastising force will therefore consist of three columns, and be commanded by Sir William Lockhart, an officer of repute in mountain warfare. We suppose we shall win, with our improved weapons, but in 1861 we were rather handsomely beaten, and there are always ugly risks in an expedition of the kind. We may lose, too, many officers, who have to exert themselves in an unusual way, and a defeat might cause a rising through half the Himalaya. There is, however, practically no option. If we cannot prevent our own villagers from being harried and murdered, we have no right to rule them ; and the alternative policy of bribery, besides being rather shameful, does not permanently succeed. The chiefs get the money, and the raids go on, with many apologies for the indocility of their followers.
