Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings about Afghanistan [‎132r] (271/312)

applied to the inhabitants of the land in the
vicinity of the Peshawur, is misleading, inasmuch
as the Pass is held by various sections of various
tribes, many of whom are at enmity with each
other, and who consequently can be played one
against the other. The term is never or very
seldom used by Pathans themselves ; indeed, the
: diflferent clans are easily distinguishable, often by
■ their features, more often by their dress, always by
their pagan's or turbans. The chief tribes who dwell
in the vicinity of the Khyber are the Afridis, the
Shinwaris, and the Momunds. But the claims of the
two former to be real Pass-men were officially recog
nized by the Durani Kings of Cabul, who paid '
allowance to the following Afridi clans—the Zaka
j Khel, Sipahs, Kuki Khel, Malikdin Khel, and
■ Kambar Khel ; also to the Loargi and Sangu
Khel Shinwaris. These latter tribes dwell chiefly
on the northern side, the Afridis on the south
side of the Pass. When we held the road during the
last Afghan war, we freely subsidized these men ;
strong bodies of them were enlisted and employed
in garrisoning Lala-China, Ali Musjid, and Daka.
This was mainly on account of the extreme un-
healthiness of the Pass and of the great mortality
among our troops when cantoned in the above-
named posts. The levies were not very trust
worthy, and were strongly suspected of receiving
pay from us with one hand and of robbing us with
the other. Now, however, we are much more
intimately acquainted with the character of
the Pathan than we were then. We have
a large number of officers in the Bengal
Army who have not only served in regi
ments composed to a large extent of these very
men, but who also speak the language fluently. In
the last war the want of interpreters was a serious
difficulty. To-day, thanks to the very liberal re
wards offered by the Indian Government to induce
officers to master the numerous dialects throughout
the country, fully qualitied Pushtoo interpreters
may be counted by the score. The services of these
officers will be invaluable, not only as recon-
noitrers, but as organizers of irregular levies from
among those Pathan clans who throw in their lot
with us, while the services of the Persian scholars
will be of equal assistance to the Commander-in-
Ohief when once the Army is in Afghanistan.
AFGHANISTAN.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.
Sir,—The letters from Earl Grey and Sir 0. Trevelyan
, which you did me the honour to place in juxtaposition to
my own in your article of the 10th inst. ably argue Shere
Ali's case, and are, I think, exhaustive of the arguments
which can adduced in his favour against the policy of the
Indian Government, I trust you will permit me to trespass
to a small extent on your valuable space to ]3oint out
briefly the false grounds on which those arugments are
based, as it is possible a section of the publie may be
carried away by their apparent plausibility.
In the first place, Shere Ali's champions commit the
mistake so common in most whose political experience
is confined to European affairs. They discuss the question
as if Shere Ali were the ruler of one of the European
States. To show how far Shere Ali's position is removed
j from such an international status it is only nceessary to
point to his treatment at the hands of the Indian Govem-
| ment, which he has hitherto courted and which he is
anxious should continue. Up to a recent date he has been
receiving subsidies and gifts of arms from the Viceroy's
Government to enable him to preserve his throne and the I
tranquillity of his country. He is angry with us because
we ask for a slight return for those presents in
the shape of more intimate political intercourse.
That, in a few words, is the cause of the present diffi
culty. Shere Ali is powerless to prevent raids into India by
the border tribes whose lands form a portion of Afghan
istan, and we coerce those tribes without any reference to
the Ameer. He is, besides, a barbarian, and ignorant
of the common amenities which govern the political
relations between two independent States. To treat
such a chief on the same principles as we should
Italy or Spain would be to enact a political farce for
the amusement of the world and our own humiliation.
What, in a few words, is asked for Shere Ali by his
friends is that he should be accorded the international
privileges and consideration doe to an European State
without any of its responsibilities being demanded from
him. So much for the moral arguments.
The practical ones which urge the dangers wa run in
vindicating our dignity are equally fallacious. Where the
honour of the country is at stake, to be blind to all but the
dangers of upholding it may be questionable patriotism.
Shere Ali is held up as the popular leader of an united
nation. He is pictured as retiring to fastnesses outside
Afghanistan, whence he will, after a short exercise of
patience, swoop down on us and expel us " bag and
baggage his devoted subjects in the meantime keeping
their weapons sharp to rise and flock to his standard as
one man.
This is a pretty picture ; but, unfortunately, is not true
to nature, as any one who has watched Afghan politics
must know. Where are the hospitable fastnesses in which
Shere Ali and his followers will be welcomed and main
tained ? Shere Ali's own position is a very precarious one.
His son Yakoob Khan, the idol of the military leaders,may
at any time be placed on the throne in his father's place.
We have, therefore, not only a number of tribes, acting
independently and jealously, opposed to us, instead of a
combined nation, but also dissension among the leaders.
Lord Grey himself admits we shall not have much
difficulty in conquering the country, but predicts that
we shall be driven out after a short occupation, though all
the fortresses of Afghanistan may be ours. I will not
pretend to see further than other people and draw a
picture of the future ; but, as a military man, I find it
difficult to realize how we are to be turned out of Cabul so
easily, if to keep us from getting in is impossible.
I am, &c.,
London, Oct. 11. . POLITICAL.
mm