Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings about Afghanistan [‎61v] (126/312)

from the military preparations along the frontier,
and what its effects must be can be perceived by
those who w'ill only regard the matter in the fade, in
the troubles already breaking out within the borders
of Cabul, as well as in the satisfaction that the Indian
nation is demonstrating at the proofs LordLytton has
given of his resolve at least to punish to the fullest
extent the insult offered to his Envoy. In the
Afghan question the country must insist on Indian
policy shaping Imperial. The former policy is a
practical one, and the latter is only theoretical, if it
does riot place itself in harmony with the various
policies necessary in Cabul, Teheran, and Armenia.
But unfortunately this crisis finds us at home with
disunited ranks to support the active policy
inaugurated by the present Viceroy, in consequence
£>f Russia's persistent schemes in Cabul and Central
Asia generally, and the existence of that disunion
is demonstrated by the insertion of that qualifying
sentence to the effect that the advance into
Afghanistan will be put off for more than six
months. " There is a rift within the lute " some
where, and it must be removed. The English
nation will never tolerate a similar attitude towards
Russia in the Afghan question that it did when
Kars and Batoum were in a weak moment sur
rendered as the price England paid for postpohing
a war with Russia. "Peace with honour' is all very
well, and no one can feel more satisfaction than I
do whenever the country avoids a war; but the
sacrifice of national interests, even to accomplish
the hopeless task of propitiating the Russian
people and Govefnment, is not the way to recom
mend the blessings of peace to Englishmen. False
timidity, and an unjustifiable apprehension of the
risks of a great war, as the supposed outcome of a
great policy, in Central Asia, are at work at home
striving to paralyse those statesmanlike instincts
which liave impelled the Anglo-Indian authorities
to resent'in the promptest manner the outrage an
Afghan ruler has dared to commit upon an English
Governor General, and to exact from him the
amplest reparation.
More than a week has elapsed since the refusal
of the Governor of Ali Musjid to permit the
Chamberlain Mission to enter Cabul, but, although
the question is declared to be in the hands of
the home Government alone, no Cabinet Council
has yet assembled to concert how best to give
support to Lord Lytton during the present tryihg
crisis, no measure has been adopted to emphasise
the fact that England's Imperial policy is identical
ivith the vigorous Indian policy of the present
Viceroy. In this crisis of our fate in Asia, where
;he news is spreading in all directions that Shere
Ali has bade us loud defiance, the melancholy
fact is observable that the Cabinet appears to be
apathetic to the danger. With a strong and united
Conservative party in office, with the vast majority
of the country at its back, and with the Indian |
nations on the tiptoe of anxiety and v expectation j
to know what we shall do in vindication of our |
reputation, it is lamentable to perceive tokens that I
there is a want of union in the Cabinet that i
threatens not only to magnify the crisis by j
encouraging both Shere Ali and Russia, but I
that must infallibly wreck the Government i
against the indignation of the country the I
moment it perceives that where it expected Sirength '
there was weakness,where union,discord. England I
must not stoop so low as to equivocate in her Asian
policy for the sake of acquiring nominal concessions
elsewhere, and whether the declaration come sooner
or later on the part of the nation, it must infallibly '
be pronovjnced that the true policy towards Cabul in 1
the firstplace, and towards the Russians in the second ,
place is, after all, the bold and consistent policy
which Lord Lytton has ever followed, and which he
is now ably working out in military dispositions
that rival those adopted by Warren Hastings in a
somewhat similar crisis in Central India a century
ago. Tile Government must not hesitate in its j
policy towards Cabul through any craven fears of |
accepting too much responsibilitj^ England will
sanction and support a strong policy at any cost; i
but it will condemn and resent a policy of com- I
promise and vacillation, more especially when |
attended by increased armaments and expenditure. I
To put the matter plainly, the nation will acquiesce |
in the inconveniences of a shilling income tax when
there is necessity to support our interests and our
honour ; but it will turn on and repudiate the
Administration that imposes upon it a sixpenny
tax,while it abandons points of value to the enemy, i
and shirks the responsibility of its situation in all
critical moments.
1 am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Sectember 23, ANGLO-INDIAN,