Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings about Afghanistan [‎19v] (39/312)

Jcoix TKC*M.ik
AFGHANISTAN.
The dulness which for so many years, and with plain facts standing in
open contradiction to it, insisted that all fears of trouble in India were
ridiculous, and that Russian action upon India in particular was the
merest bugbear, has now the impudence to step forward and say of
current events, " We always told you so." Thus the Times solemnly
announces to-day that " nothing has happened which must not have been
foreseen as at least possible, nothing for which it was not incumbent on us
to be prepared beforehand. The crisis is scarcely a surprise. Events for
some time past have made it almost certain that it would come at some
time or other, and by our own choice it has come now." True; if this
means that the no-policy which the Ministers chose to adopt in the
conflict between Russia and Turkey was adopted with a view of pre
cipitating this same crisis. But even the precipitation of the crisis is no
awakening for the pompous stupidity from which we are now beginning
to suffer. It is of opinion that the Afghan difficulty is of no conse
quence—is merely a " row" with a small and feeble potentate, who will
be punished in due course; whereupon we shall continue the enjoy
ment of peace with honour. The great ministerial apologist of the
day assures the country that " there is nothing just now that can
make the Ameer formidable as a foe." " If he persists in refusing the
demands we may see fit to make upon him, he can calculate upon
no effectual support outside his own territory"—upon no support of
any kind, apparently. " Oui k reckoning will be with him, and with him
alone, and such a prospect can hardly be thought alarming. There
is nothing worse before us than one of those troublesome little wars
to which we have so often found ourselves committed in every quarter
of the globe. A comparison of resources in such a case is well nigh
ridiculous. We are of course by far the stronger, and can choose our own
I way with the certainty of following it at our will." But that is
| precisely what we cannot do. Moreover, it seems that this is a case in
which an apology will amply suffice. " There is room still left for an expla-
nation of what has happened. The Ameer of Cabul has not yet stated his
' own case. The resistance offered to our mission was the act of a subordinate,
and it may possibly be disclaimed by the Ameer himself." Possibly : in
which case the insult will pass for nothing, either in India or elsewhere.
Nor is this our only comfort. " In any case we shall be compelled to
wait for some months before we can begin operations. Time will be required
before our preparations can be complete. Nothing, probably, can
be done until next spring. During winter the mountain passes would
he found blocked with snow, and winter begins early in the passes."
This, we are afraid, is true. The blow has been so timed that it
may be difficult to resent it immediately, except in writing. We
may not be able to fight till the spring, and till the spring, therefore,
the Ameer need not enter upon any apologies. It will be enough to
apologize next year, if apology and not persistence is thought to be the
most convenient course.
Meantime, we should like to know two things : First, What are the
present relations of the Czar and the Sultan ? The relations of England
and Turkey are certainly not in a very cordial or promising condition
just now—quite naturally, if not inevitably. Next, how stands opinion in
the British Cabinet ? Is it unanimous at last ? And what sort of policy
does it agree upon, if any ?
SUMMARY OF THIS MORNING'S NEWS.
The Standard publishes a telegram from Bombay of yesterday's date which
says that a special meeting of the Viceroy's Council was held yesterday after
noon at Simla, and General Roberts, the commandant of the frontier forces, has
staited for Peshawur with secret orders. A large force is ordered to be in
readiness on the frontier, where 12,000 men are already massed. The Indian
newspapers (the telegram says) 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 disturbe d, and Government
securities have fallen. |
The Morning Post says the effect of the recall of the mission on our
position in India cannot be exaggerated. We appear in the position of
being openly defied by a neighbouring ruler of third-rate power, and this
defiance gathers additional effect from its having been evidently given at the
instigation of Russia. Of the moral evidence of Russia's guilt there can be no
doubt. Her action at the present moment is but the consistent realization
of the policy of some of her ablest statesmen. Alliances with Persia and
Afghanistan have long been laid down by well-known Russian diploma
tists and officers as the goal of Russian effort. The alliance with Persia
is a fait accompli; that with Afghanistan is not yet declared, but the events
of last Saturday are very strong evidence that the project has borne fruit,
though it may not be officially realised. Having established friendly rela
tions with the Ameer, Russia can easily find means of supplying him with
arms and officers, and thus play off Afghanistan against us as she played
off Servia against Turkey. Whether we are to hold Afghanistan as respon
sible for the rebuff to our mission, solely or conjointly with Russia, we
cannot overlook this last illustration of Shere Ali's defiant attitude. It
will be for the Government to declare in what manner we shall seek
satisfaction for our outraged dignity.