Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings about Afghanistan [‎130r] (267/312)

The Morning Post says that as information continues to accumulate
upon the manner in which Russia understands her obligations under the
Treaty of Berlin it is not to be wondered at that the feeling of distrust
goes on increasing among the observers of her crooked and menacing
policy. Wherever we turn there is something to warn us of the work
which is going on. Prince Dondoukoff throws difficulties in the way of
the European Commission appointed to administer Eastern Roumelia.
General Todleben marches back his troops into the lines of Tchekmedje.
Speculations on the fidelity of our native Indian Princes go hand in hand
in the columns of the Golos and similar organs with ferocious attacks
upon Austria, enthusiastic estimates of the resisting power of the Ameer
of Afghanistan, and thinly-disguised or wholly undisguised pledges of
assistance to the new enemy of England. Above all, perhaps, the pheno
menon of Russian journals chanting the praises of the Turk and predicting
a future alliance between the Russian and Ottoman Empires makes
its appearance with suggestive effect at the present moment and in the
existing posture of Eastern affairs. Whatever credit we may grant or
refuse to the servants and agents of Russian policy, it cannot at any rate
be denied that they understand and are ready to practise every means by
which the progress of their national intrigue can be facilitated, jit is
to be feared that if Russia is to be obliged to carry out the provisions
and conditions of the Treaty of Berlin this can only bs compassed in
some manner analogous to that adopted by Lord Palmerston to assure the
fulfilment of the Treaty of Paris.
The Statist does not doubt that the Czar and Prince Gortschakoff
now recognise that they made a grave mistake in forcing English attention
to the weakest point in our Indian defences. They have no wish to see
that weak point strengthened. Still less do they wish Afghanistan an
English dependency. Least of all would they relish a British army in
occupation of that country. Yet they must feel that they are power
less to prevent any one of these contingencies if the British Govern
ment resolves upon carrying them through. If proper judgment is
displayed in the selection of officers, and if the commissariat is made to
do its duty, there will be little serious difficulty in subduing Afghanistan, in
spite of all Russian volunteers may be able to do. The real danger will
begin when the subjugation is effected. The people of Central Asia know
as well as Europeans that the struggle has been provoked by Russia. If
she does not dare to interfere for the protection of her dupe, Bokhara, and
Khiva, and Khokand will learn where the real strength in Asia resides.
One can understand the effect of this upon the Russian army. The
danger is that a desperate resolution may be suddenly taken.
LATEST INTELLIGENCE.
INDIA AND AFGHANISTAN.
(B y I ndo- E uropean T elegraph T eheran.)
(ekom our correspondent.)
darjeeling, o ct. 13.
The frontier news still continues to pre-occupy
public interest to the exclusion of all other topics. '
The intensity of the interest increases as the con
viction becomes more confirmed that we are .
about to enter upon a military campaign which !
Is calculated to impose a very considerable strain
upon the resources of the Indian Government, un
less it be conducted with the greatest possibly
amount of wariness and circumspection. The
Faintest mistake at the commencement would in
finitely increase the difficulties which have to be
encountered, as it would in all probability act as
an immediate inducement to the numerous border
tribes, who are at present engaged in watching the
outturn of events with eager expectancy, to at once
throw in their lot with the Ameer. The military
authorities and the Government are keenly alive to
the position of afiairs, and are adopting all possible
measures of precaution to guard against even a
temporary check or the slightest misadventure. It
was in contemplation at one time to make a rapid
advance against the fort of Ali Musjid and to en
deavour to seize it by a cowp de main. In conse
quence of this intention, wJiich has since been aban
doned, exciting telegrams have been circulated,
atating that the fort had been captured. Various
reasons have prevailed with the Government in
favour of delay. In the first place, Ali Musjid has
been greatly strengthened by reinforcements of
troops, accompanied by artillery. It is said that
there are some 6,000 Regular troops occupying the
Khyber Pass, so that even if the fort, which is
situated about nine miles from the entrance of the
pass, were captured,it would be very difficult to hold
it until all our preparations for a further advance
were completed. The second principal reason in
favour of delay is the fact that our Envoy is still
in the power of the Ameer ; and it is generally
believed that the first shot fired by our troops
would serve with the Ameer as an immediate signal
for his death warrant. A further strong argument,
although, taken by itself, of subsidiary importance,
consists in the possibility, however remote, of the
Ameer still despatching by the hands of our Envoy
letters to the Viceroy of submission and concilia
tion. The Government are still most anxious to
adopt peaceable measures for carrying out the
frontier scheme of defensive policy rendered by
recent events now absolutely indispensable if the
conduct of the Ameer will permit them. An
Afghan war is a phase of policy the Government is
most anxious to avoid, and will be only accepted
in the last resort if forced upon them by the insen
sate obduracy of the Ameer. In the meanwhile
war preparations are being pushed forward rapidly
and extensively. Ihe whole of India is reverberat
ing with the din of military movements towards the
Rentier. The great hindrances in the way of the
advance of troops are the defective commissariat
arrangements and the deficiency in the means of
transport. It is estimated that nearly 6,000 camels
alone are required, without taking into account other
various and numerous means of toansport, indis
pensable before anything like a strong advance
along the frontier can be attempted. It is no light
task to have to make arrangements for supplying
an army of 30,000 men, exclusive of camp followers,
with all the necessaries of life while making a
hostile march into an enemy's country which is almost
completely barren. The Commissariat Department,
maintained during peace from economical reasons
on a very reduced scale, has found itself suddenly
called upon to make immediate and hurried pre
parations for the military movement of a large
army, under circumstances of exceptional difficulty
even for war, and it is not surprising, therefore,
that the department has been unable to respond in
the fullest and most satisfactory manner to the
enormous and abnormal strain suddenly imposed
upon its resources. All its officers are, however,
working most energetically and unsparingly, and it
is confidently hoped that before long all necessary
preparations, both for transport and provisioning,
will have been completed.
The latest authentic telegram from Simla states
that the Maharajah of Alwar has volunteered to
fequip and maintain at his own expense a corps of i
camels and camel-drivers for service on the frontier.
The most important news, equally authentic,
is also reported—that a letter has been received at
Peshawur from Nawab An honorific title; an official acting as a provincial deputy ruler in South Asia; or a significant Muslim landowner in nineteenth century India. Gholam Hussein Khan,
C.S.I.,the Viceroy's Envoy, datedCabul, the 6thof