Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings about Afghanistan [‎6r] (12/312)

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INDIA AND AFGHANISTAN.
'Bt Indo-European Telegraph, vid Teheran.)
(from our correspondent.)
CALCUTTA, Sept. 15.
The Cabul Mission remains the one topic of
universal interest. All other subjects have become
dwarfed into complete insignificance in comparison
with the paramount importance attached in India
to the present momentous departure from the
long-established principles of Indian foreign policy.
That policy, successful though it proved as long
as there appeared no immediate possibility of the
English and Russian Powers clashing in Asia, has
at length, in consequence of the recent action
of Russia in Afghanistan, been replaced by
one of a more energetic character, and this
not benause tbe policy in itself was wanting
in wisdom and foresight when framed and
adopted, but simply for the reason that
Russian energy and military enterprise in Central
Asia have made such astoundingly rapid pro
gress of late as completely to surprise all
Expectations. The key-note to the whole
policy of abstention from interference with
Central Asian politics existed in the absence of
»ny idea that Russian , influence could ever
be established at Cabul otherwise than by
conquest. On every occasion when closer relations
between India and Cabul were sought to be
established by the rulers of Afghanistan, the
invariable reason alleged was dread of Kussian
aggression and desire for English protection. It was
in consequence assumed almost as an axiom that if
ever the time should arrive when a conflict in Asia
between England and Russia was inevitable, the
danger to India from Russia at least must be post
poned until the country and people of Afghanistan
should be entirely conquered and subdued.
With this assumption a policy of non-interference
.was prudent. It was believed that Afghanistan
if left alone would constitute for all practical pur
poses a barrier completaly impassable between
the two Powers, and that strong feeling
of national independence, supported by the
jiatural features of their country, would render tbe
conquest of the Afghans by Russia a task of insu.
perable difficulty, considering the distance of the
Rutsian base of operations and the consequent dan
ger of interruption to her communications. It was
felt, moreover, that in the event of Afghanistan not
•being able unaided to resist Russian aggression, it
"would b) opea to the British Power to
accord her sue jour and assistance, subject to such
conditions and terras as might seem desi
rable whenever the necessity for energetic
action should arise, the Government being com
pletely unfettered by treaty stipulations. Present
events, however, have wholly cut the ground
from under our feet, and a policy ha's now to be
initiated which may be calculated to deal success
fully with a very different set of possibilities.
Every conceivable device of Indian diplomacy^
supported by the all-cogent argument of immo-
diale resort to military compulsion if the occa
sion demand it, will have to be exerted now
and henceforth to prevent Afghanistan from be
coming converted into a Russian camp. The
Ameer has distinctly shown his hand, and unless
he entirely withdraws from his present attitude of
hostility it will be deemed indispensable for
the protection of India to adopt in self-de
fence an infinitely more active foreign policy
than that previously accepted. One of our
great military authorities has lately stated
as the result of his deliberate and wdl-
considered opinion that our present fron
tier line is indefensible, that a mountain
chain that can be pierced at many points is no pro
tection, and that if we desire the Himalayas to
serve as a natural barrier for the protection of
India, we must as a mere defensive measure insist
upon holding the outlets of the passes.
Preparations are being vigorously pushed for
ward at Peshawur for the despatch of the
Mission, 'ihe latest information states that the
number of the Mission will amount to about
.1,000, including camp-followers. Every effort
is being made to keep the number within
reasonable bounds, but it is necessary to carry
supplies for the road. The escort will be
increased by an Infantry detachment, and pos-
sibly by a troop of the 10th Hussars. Ar
rangements have been effected with the Khyberees
for a safe conduct through tbe Khyber Pass, and
we have received hostages for the due performance
of this undertaking. The Commissioner will ac
company the Mission as far as Pakha, on the other
side of the Khyber Pass, where a strong body
of the Ameer's troops is stationed. 'IheJSTawab
Ghulam Hussein Khan, the bearer of the Vice
roy's letter, is said to be popular with the Ameer
and his nobles, to whom he is well known in conse
quence of having acted as our agent at Cabul for
many years.
Shere Ali is reported to be in favour of the suc
cession of his grandson, Ahmed Ali Jan, son of Ma
homed Ali iQian,who was killed in 1866 near Khi-
lat Ghilsi while fighting for his father's throne
against Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Azim Khan. Ahmed Ali is described
as an intelligent youth of about 18, with a pleasing
demeanour and fairly well educated. The mother
of Abdulla Jan is said to have another son still
•living, but incapacitated for rule by being totally
deaf and dumb. The report of Yakoob's escape is
still unconfirmed.
The Viceroy entertained Sir Neville Chamberlain
at a banquet given in his honour prior to his depar
ture for Peshawur. Lord Lytton made an impres
sive speech on the occasion, to which Sir Neville
returned a fitting reply. It is universally felt that
a task of no slight danger and difficulty
has been imposed upon him, and he will
carry with him the sympathy and good
wishes of all. As a measure of the passionate
animosity towards the British which it will be his
duty to endeavour to convert to feelings of good
will, it may be sufficient to quote the following
extract from the Ameer's speech publicly uttered
in open Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). :—
" I have seven crores of rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. by me, every
rupee of which I will hurl at the head of the
British Government, and I will roll the border
tribes against them like blasts of fire."
It is quite true that this beneficent intention was
expressed some time ago, but we have no reason
for believing that the Ameer's feelings have
in the slightest degree been mollified since
these words were uttered—unless, indeed, this
has formed one of the results of the visit of the
Russian Envoy, a supposition possible, but hardly
probable, and one on which it would hardly be
wise for General Chamberlain to rely for the pro
tection of his Mission without taking other pre
cautions.
The latest reports from Madras state that the
prospects are favourable. In the Kistna uplands the
crops are recovering from the damage done them
by the recent excessive rains. The total number
on the works is 102,000, those gratuitously re
lieved being 62,402.
The frontier is reported quite tranquil. The left
■wing of Jacob's Rifles and a detachment, 250 strong,
of Scinde Horse are ordered to proceed to Quettah.
Prices are falling in Mysore, and prospects are
good. The number on the works is 31,129, those 1
gratuitously relieved being 13,199.
In the North-West Provinces and Oude prospects j
ar e goo dj w?d prices are falling. la the Puuiab-
prospects are generally gooil and prices are showing
a downward tendency. In consequence of severe
floods in the Jullundar district, upwards of 1,000
houses have been destroyed. There is a slight im
provement in exports ; imports are dull. Sixty
ships, carrying 85,784 tons, are unfreighted.
A committee has been appointed to report on the
rent laws of Behar with a view to legislation.