Suddenly, without any warning, the whole population rose against the British.

The Swats had intended to attack Camp Malakand unawares, and massacre the soldiers, but through the kindness of a friendly native a warning was given.  Preparations were quickly made for defence, messengers sent off to ask for re-enforcements, and the soldiers were able to repulse the enemy when the attack was made.

Six thousand Swats were said to be in arms against the British.

The Government at once despatched a large force of soldiers to relieve the little camp.

On their arrival the enemy was soon routed, the cavalry chasing them back toward the hills.  All danger was supposed to be over, when word was brought that the natives had re-formed, and were preparing to attack a fort in the neighborhood, called Fort Chakdara.

Leaving a few men at the camp to defend it, the commander of the relief column started for Chakdara.

They arrived only just in time.  The Swats had laid siege to the fort, and the little garrison in it were despairing, when, from the hills, they saw the lights flashed by a heliograph, and learned by this means that help was coming.  The heliograph is an instrument for signalling by means of flashes of light reflected from mirrors.

When the relief party reached Chakdara, they had a severe fight with the Swats, but they at length routed the tribesmen.

The situation is growing more serious.

* * * * *

News has just arrived that Great Britain has taken possession of one of the smaller islands in the Pacific Ocean, which is claimed by the Hawaiian Government.

This island is known as Palmyra Island, and is situated about a thousand miles to the southward of Hawaii.  The Hawaiian Government claims that it is one of the dependencies of the Sandwich Island group.

It was discovered by Captain Cook, the famous navigator who explored the Pacific Ocean in 1768, and secured Australia and New Zealand for the British.

It has long been marked on the maps as a British possession, but it appears that it was occupied years ago by Hawaiians, who raised the Hawaiian flag over it, and claimed it for their Government.

The action of Great Britain in claiming the island at this time is considered of the highest importance, as it is feared that it may have been claimed merely for the sake of complicating Hawaiian matters, and preventing annexation.

Our Government will look very closely into the rights of the affair, and insist upon their being respected.

The State Department will gather all information possible in regard to Palmyra Island.  Should it be found that Hawaii’s claims are good, our minister in the Sandwich Islands will be instructed to ask the Government there to protest against the action of Great Britain.  The United States will then uphold this protest, and the officials believe that it will result in the removal of the British flag from the island.