Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings about Afghanistan [‎18v] (37/312)

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THE STOPPAGE OP THE OABUL
MISSION.
MEETING OF THE INDIAN COUNCIL.
LONDON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24.
TROOPS MASSED OK THE
FRONTIER.
PUBLIC FEELING IN INDIA.
( R euter's T elegram.)
CALCUTTA, S ept . 22.
An officer of the Ameer of Afghanistan, at
Ali Musjid, has refused to allow the English
Mission to advance, and has crowned the heights
commanding the pass with his levies.
After an interview of three hours' duration
with the officer, and having warned him that his
act would be regarded as the act of Shere Ali
himself. Major Cavagnari and his escort returned
to Jumrood, and the Mission was withdrawn
to Peshawur.
(B y E astern C ompany's C able.)
(prom our own correspondent.)
BOMJ3AY. M onday , j
| A special meeting of tne Viceroy's Council was
held this afternoon at Simla. General Roberts,
the commandant of the frontier forces, thereupon
started for Peshawur with secret orders,
i A large force is ordered to be in readiness on
the frontier, where twelve thousand men are already
massed.
I The Indian newspapers universally consider that
the affront to the Mission demands an apology or
| the occupation of Afghanistan.
! A war feeling is prevalent among the Europeans,
: Trade is disturbed, and Government Securities
have fallen.
(B y S ubmarine T elegraph.)
(prom our own correspondent.)
PARIS, MoNDAr.
Great sensation has been caused here by the
serious news from India.
(B y S ubmarine T elegraph,)
(prom our own correspondent.)
VIENNA, M onday.
The prospect of a conflict between Great Britain
and Afghanistan has caused the greatest conster
nation in this citv.
The semi-official Nord, of Brussels, in an article
on the subject of England and Afghanistan, says :—" The
question of Afghanistan is treated by the London press with
the absence of sany froid and with the febrile agitation
which characterise the English policy under the pre
sent Government. One journal recommends the forcible
annexation of Cabul, if Shere Ali will not give in
his complete submission to the English views. We
must admit that we cannot understand this precipi
tate and dangerous means of solving the question. It
may be said that the particulars published after the event
of the Russian expedition beyond the Oxus have terrified
the English and produced upon them the effect of an over
whelming revelation, as if the matter in question, in pre
sence of an imminent war, presented anything abnormal or
unforeseen. It was very natural that Russia, threatened
with a maritime blockade, should endea\ our to seek her
enemy at that point where it was believed they were vul
nerable, and should make a diver ion in the direction of
India to the expected attack of the Indian contingents trans
ported to Europe. It is true that the effective of these con
tingents was just sufficient to peaceably conquer Cyprus
from Turkey, and that the fire which ndian troops were
destined to light on the shores of the Black Sea reduced
itself to a harmless squib. But the most elementary pru
dence recommended to the Russian oovernment to take
this demonstration as a serious one. When peace was
made the expedition of the Oxus became a dead letter, and
will only be revived as a measure of defence. England
is doubtless aware of this ; but the mere eventuality of a
Russian advance in the direction of the Indian Empire is
sufficient to terrify her. The idea of having a frontier
contiguous to a great Power is insupportable to the
English nation, which has up to the present been re
joicing in the idea that they can cany war into the
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Tlie serious news from Afghanistan has caused .
great excitement, not only in England and India,
but throughout the Continent, it is felt that the
retusal ot the A meer to allow Sir N eville C ham
berlain's mission to proceed through the Khyber
Pass is a step which can only be met by an apology
on the part of the A meer , or by the occupation of
his territory. A special meedng of the V iceroy's
Council was held yesterday afternoon, the result of
which was the immediate despatch of General
K o jekts to Peshawur with secret orders. That
distinguished officer commands the forces on the
froxuier, where twelve thousand men are now
massed. J
The news from India which we publish this
morning will hardly surprise those of our readers
who have followed the correspondence and articles
which have recently, from time to time, appeared
in these columns. The rebuff of the English
Mission to Cabul had been anticipated. What is
gratifying is to see that our Indian Government
was prepared for it, and has acted with
promptitude. The C hamberlain Mission to Cabul
is nipped in the bud before an opportunity
offered for testing its capacity; and all the
hopes that were founded on the better reason of
the Afghan Ameer, and on the tact and skill of Sir
N eville C hamberlain have now to be abandoned.
The main body of the Mission, with Sir N eville
C hamberlain , left Peshawur early in the morning
of Saturday last, and proceeded as far as the border
village Jumrood, the scene of many a fray
between Sikh and Afghan in the past. Major
C avagnari had ridden forward through the Khyber
Pass attended by a considerable escort of the hill-men,
and had traversed the main portion of that pass in
safety under the care of these Afreedee mountaineers.
So far as Ali Musjid, all went well ; but on reach
ing that Afghan outpost Major C avagnari's further
! progress was stayed by the Afghan commandant
declaring that he would not permit the Mission to
advance. For three hours did this officer endea
vour to overcome the object ons of the commandant,
until it became clear that the Afghan was acting in
accordance with superior instructions. His
threatened resistance even took so menacing a
shape as to line the surrounding heights with
armed men, thereby hoping, no doubt, to make
some impression not only on our officer but
also on those hill-men who appear to have acted
honourably up to their engagements and in perfect
friendship towards us. There can be no doubt that
the Commandant acted by order of those two
officials M u P ti S hah and A khor , who were re
ported some days ago to have been de
spatched to Ali Musjid with instructions
from S here A li himself. And if we ad
mit, as no one can deny, that the action of the
Afghan Governor of Ali Musjid reflects the mind
of S here A li towards us, to what other conclusion
can we come than that his hostility is of the most
pronounced type ? All the sayings, all the letters,
all the threats, that have been so freely attributed
to him in the bazaars of Asia—all of which
breathed a steady spirit of defiance to England
receive fresh significance and confirmation from
the hostile attitude of the commandant of Ali
Musjid. Nor is there, unfortunately, any ground
for supposing that S here A li's instructions have
been misread by his officer, for there were present
to see his wish carried out the two court officials
who had just arrived with S here A li's words and
sentiments fresh in their minds. They may have
left the Council Chamber with that haughty boast
ringing in their ears when the Afghan Monarch
referred to his vaunted treasure, and his inthie *aa.
among the tribes of the mountains.
It would be puerile to hope any longer that
S heke A li's irresolution may bring him to a
perception of the precipice on which he has
placed himself. It would be equally uselefcs to
resume the language of remonstrance and of
menace. S here A li has shown himself as indifib-
rent to the latter as he had for years to. the former.
He has received a Russian officer at Cabul in an
official capacity, and he has shown his friendly
sentiments to the C zar by the hospitable manner in
which he has entertained that officer and his suite.
But while to Russia he has given nothing but smiles,
he has given to England all his -frowns. That the
Indian Government and the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. were pre
pared for this display of Oriental caprice, and are
quite ready to deal with it, our telegrams
to«day show. The A meer has now completed
the bill of indictment against himself r
THE STOPPAGE OF THE CABUL
MISSION.
LONDON, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24.
meeting OF the INDIAN COUNCIL.
TROOPS MASSED ON THE
FRONTIER.
PUBLIC FEELING IN INDIA.
(E eutee's T elegram.)
CALCUTTA, S ept. 22.
An officer of the Ameer of Afghanistan, at
Ali Musjid, has refused to allow the English
Mission to advance, and has crowned the heights
commanding the pass with his levies.
After an interview of three hours' duration
with the officer, and having warned him that his
act would be regarded as the act of Shere Ali
himself, Major Cavagnari and his escort returned
to Jumrood, and the Mission was withdrawn
to Peshawur.
(By Eastern Company's Cable.)
(prom our own correspondent.)
BOMBAY, Monz^AT.
| A special meeting of tn© Viceroy's Council was
held this afternoon at Simla. General Roberts,
the commandant of the frontier forces, thereupon
started for Peshawnr with secret orders,
i A large force is ordered to be in readiness on
the frontier, where twelve thousand men are already
massed.
The Indian newspapers universally consider that
the affront to the Mission demands an apology or
the occupation of Afghanistan.
A war feeling is prevalent among the Europeans.
Trade is disturbed, and Government Securities
have fallen.
(By Submarine Telegraph.)
(from our own correspondent.)
PARIS, M ondat.
Great sensation has been caused here by the
serious news from India.
(B y S ubmarine T riegraph.)
(from our own correspondent.)
VIENNA, M onday,
The prospect of a conflict between Great Britain
and Afghanistan has caused the greatest conster
nation in this citv. i
The semi-official Nord, of Brussels, in an article
on the subject of England and Afghanistan, says :—" The
question of Afghanistan is treated by the London press with
the absence of sany froid and with the febrile agitation
which characterise the English policy under the pre
sent Government. One journal recommends the forcible
annexation of Cabul, if Shere Ali will not give in
his complete submission to the English views. We
must admit that we cannot understand this precipi
tate and dangerous means of solving the question. It
may be said that the particulars published after the event
of the Russian expedition beyond the Oxus have terrified
the English and produced upon them the effect of an over
whelming revelation, as if the matter in question, in pre
sence of an imminent war, presented anything abnormal or
unforeseen. It was very natural that Russia, threatened
with a maritime blockade, should endeav our to seek her
enemy at that point where it was believed they were vul
nerable, and should make a diver ion in the direction of
India to the expected attack of the Indian contingents trans-
, ported to Europe. It is true that the effective of these con-
i tingents was just sufficient to peaceably conquer Cyprus
from Turkey, and that the lire which ndian troops were
destined to light on the shores of the Black Sea reduced
itself to a harmless squib. But the most elementary pru
dence recommended to the Russian government to take
this demonstration as a serious one. When peace was
made the expedition of the Oxus became a dead letter, and
will only be revived as a measure of defence. England
is doubtless aware of this ; but the mere eventuality of a
Russian advance in the direction of the Indian J'.mj.ire is
sufficient to terrify her. The idea of having a frontier
contiguous to a great Power is insupportable to the
English nation, which has up to the present been re
joicing in the idea that they can cany war into the
country of another Power, and at the same time themselves
remain unassailable. No doubt it is convenient not to have
neighbours, but it is only possible to escape from this by
remaining at home and becoming a hemit. Besides, a
people cannot expect to unite the advantage of an insular
position with those continental possessions. Moreover, is
not the British mpire in America contiguous to the United
States ? > lt is true that they can rely better upon the loyalty
of the citi/ens of the Dominion than on the Hindoos. This
contact which is so much feare-l should not be sought by
England, but this is what the British Government is doing
in desiring to annex Afghanistan to their possessions. In
case of war Russia would have a much better chance in
meeting the English encamped beyond the Himalavas
amidst a populat'on ready to icvolt than entrenched in the
great mountain wall close to their resources and surrounded
by subjects already accustomed to their yoke. Would it
not be relatively easy for Russia to upset that precarious
fabric, the fall of which would have a danfrcrous etiect in
India? Inline, England would find her safety, and per
haps the best for her Indian interests, in a correct and
loyal policy towards Russia, who has no desire to be
aggressive in Asia, and which she never will be unless she
be forced thereto."
The serious news from Afghanistan has caused
great excitement, not only in England and India,
but throughout the Continent, it is felt that the
retuaal ot the Ameer to allow Sir Neville Cham
berlain's mission to proceed through the Khyber
Pass is a step which can only be met by an apology
on the part of the Ameer , or by the occupation of
his territory. A special meeting of the Viceroy's
Council was held yesterday afternoon, the result of
which was the immediate despatch of General
Ko ; ert,-5 to Peshawur with secret orders. That
distinguished officer commands the forces on the
frpmier, where twelve thousand men are now
masKed.
The news from India which we publish this
morning will hardly surprise those of our readers
who have followed the correspondence and articles
which have recently, from time to time, appeared
in these columns. The rebuff of the English
Mission to Cabul had been anticipated. What is
gratifying is to see that our Indian Government
was prepared for it, and has acted with
promptitude. The Chamberlain Mission to Cabul
is nipped in the bud before an opportunity
offered for testing its capacity; and all the
hopes that were founded on the better reason of
the Afghan Ameer, and on the tact and skill of Sir
Neville Chamberlain have now to be abandoned.
The main body of the Mission, with Sir Neville
Chamberlain , left Peshawur early in the morning
of Saturday last, and proceeded as far as the border
village Jumrood, the scene of many a fray
between Sikh and Afghan in the past. Major
Cavagnari had ridden forward through the Khyber
Pass attended by aconsiderable escortof thehiU-men,
and had traversed the main portion of that pass in
safety under the care of these Afreedee mountaineers.
So far as Ali Musjid, all went well ; but on reach
ing that Afghan outpost Major Cavagnari's further
progress was stayed by the Afghan commandant
declaring that he would not permit the Mission to
advance. For three hours did this officer endea
vour to overcome the object ons of the commandant,
until it became clear that the Afghan was acting in
accordance with superior instructions. His
threatened resistance even took so menacing a
shape as to line the surrounding heights with
armed men, thereby hoping, no doubt, to make
some impression not only on our officer but
also on those hill-men who appear to have acted
honourably up to their engagements and in perfect
friendship towards us. There can be no doubt that
the Commandant acted by order of those two
officials Mufti Shah and Akhor , who were re
ported some days ago to have been de
spatched to Ali Musjid with instructions
from Shere Ali himself. And if we ad
mit, as no one can deny, that the action of the
Afghan Governor of Ali Musjid reflects the mind|
of Shere Ali towards us, to what other conclusion
can we come than that his hostility is of the most
pronounced type ? All the sayings, all the letters,
all the threats, that have been so freely attributed
to him in the bazaars of Asia—all of which
breathed a steady spirit of defiance to England
receive fresh significance and confirmation from
the hostile attitude of the commandant of Ali
Musjid. Nor is there, unfortunately, any ground
for supposing that Shere Ali's instructions have
been misread by his officer, for there were present
to see his wish carried out the two court officials
who had just arrived with Shere Ali's words and
sentiments fresh in their minds. They may have
left the Council Chamber with that haughty boast
ringing in their ears when the Afghan Monarch
referred to his vaunted treasure, and his infhiefcoa
among the tribes of the mountains.
It would be puerile to hope any longer that
Shere Ali's irresolution may bring him to a
perception of the precipice on which he has.
placed himself. It would be equally usel &fes to
resume the language of remonstrance and of
menace. Shere Ali has shown himself as indiffe
rent to the latter as he had for years to. the former.
He has received a Russian officer at Cabul in an
official capacity, and he has shown his friendly
sentiments to the Czar by the hospitable manner in
which he has entertained that officer and his suite.
But while to Russia he has given nothing but smiles
he has given to England all his -frowns. That the
Indian Government and the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. were pre
pared for this display of Oriental caprice, and are
quite ready to deal with it, our telegrams
to-day show. The Ameer has now completed
the bill of indictment against himself,: