Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings about Afghanistan [‎95r] (193/312)

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THE CABINET, AND THE BILL FOR THE WAR.
There is a common impression abroad—an impression largely encouraged
by the ministerial papers yesterday—that at the Cabinet Council to-day
immediate operations against the Ameer will be sanctioned. We believe
this impression to be erroneous. Of course the Afghans themselves may
precipitate matters, and perhaps will do so; otherwise, nothing will be done
till the spring. It is calculated that the spectacle of our preparations may
awe the Ameer into submission—though of what use or benefit it will be
to force a Resident on him (a very different thing to his reception of
a Resident as a friend) is not clear. It is thought, too, that at sight of
our forces the chiefs may depose Shere Ali if he does not give in; or •
before the spring he may die: though how we shall stand then, if
Russia|(who has a candidate of her own in hand to succeed him) remains
dissatisfied with us, is equally uncertain. But then the winter may be
employed in satisfying Russia; and, considering what has been done in
that way heretofore, we may safely assume that upon this the Govern
ment mainly rest their hopes of averting the war or of rendering it
comparatively easy.
Meanwhile the financial difficulty of the Government is rightly
described as the most pressing for the moment; and we have reasons
for thinking that the Times of this morning faithfully expounds the
mind of the Government on that subject. It is said " the |f Afghan
question, whatever its issue, is partly an Imperial, partly an Indian
one." But—"it is an Imperial question simply and solely because it I
is an Indian question first. It is in the interests of India that we have ^
entered into relations with Afghanistan, and if we have to go to war
it will be in the interest of India that we do so. But for India we should
have no more interest in Afghanistan than we have in the moon ; and it is
only just that India, whose security is endangered, should bear a portion at
least of the cost. We shall do well to be generous in the matter, no doubt.
India is poor ; if some authorities are to be trusted, it is yearly growing
poorer, and many parts of it have lately been devastated by famine. But
constant alarm and disturbance, such as we are threatened with through
the hostility of Afghanistan, would be as disastrous to India as famine or
even war itself, and the cost of a war which restored its tranquillity might - " v •?:
prove, after all, to be not the greatest disaster that it could suffer. In
view of the condition of Indian finance, we trust the Government
will [think it right to recommend Parliament to undertake a share of the
expenses of such operations as may prove to be necessary in Afghanistan;
but if so, it will be rather as an act of generosity towards a suffering
country than one of strict justice."
Against this line of argument we protest, as a series of misrepresen
tations leading to a dangerous conclusion. The question is strictly an
Imperial one; and that the Government at home well know. It has
been raised through their own mismanagement (they may call it manage
ment if they please) of the Eastern Question; and that likewise they
know. To talk of sharing with India the expense of a war like this
as " an act of generosity towards a suffering country rather than one of
strict justice" is itself an offence not only to generosity but to justice.
What says the Government of India Act (1858) ? It is there decreed that,
" except for preventing or repelling actual invasion of her Majesty's Indian
possessions, or under other sudden and urgent necessity, the revenues o
India shall not, without the consent of both Houses of Parliament, be
applicable to defray the expenses of any military operation carried on beyond
the external frontiers of such possessions by her Majesty's forces charged
upon such revenues." Now, this is not a case of actual invasion; it
is not a case of sudden emergency; and Afghanistan is beyond the
external frontier of her Majesty's Indian possessions. Moreover, India
cannot bear this burden, or any considerable share of it, without being
brought to the verge of financial collapse, or over the verge; and what
of the most natural discontent it must occasion ? The truth is that if
the Government cast this burden upon India it will be because they
know their own conduct led to the war, and fear to see that fact brought
home to the constituencies by the presentation of the bill.
ENGLAND AND AFGHANISTAN.
Simla , Oct. 4. -It is generally reported that a British force is advancing
fr0 ^ 1 ? e ^ havv ^ r m the directlon 0} Jamrood, with the view of making an attack
on All Musjid. 0
The Ameer of Afghanistan is massing troops at Ali Musjid and Candahar,
and threatens Quetta. Strong hostility exists between the Khyberee tribes and
the Ameer. War material is being collected at Kohat.
mo T g * the
moment, for the Ameer has ordered^the advanM of t expe - tei1 at a J y
have arrived within a short distance of Tamrurt lnfan try regiments, who
already appeared A dSmSh Jarn rud, where some British troops have
advancing to the frontier are it Jc ctof—i k ■ r 11 At £nan troops who are
the Ameer's troops, and the Khyberees are'threafpn^H 0 ^! Iar S e ,numbers of
allowed the mission to enter the pass thr ^tened with an attack for having