Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings about Afghanistan [‎140r] (288/312)

from this question of our Envoy's safety, it is
very desirable that the contents of the Ameer's
despatches should be known. The rebuff at Ali
Musjid was not accompanied by such dangerous
circumstances as at first reported. Xow that we
leain our Envoy was not permanently detained—
he probably waited till Shere Ali could learn to
what degree Russia could be relied upon—and that
he brings an answer from tha Affghaa
ruler, the delay of a week or two can
apparently do little harm. The insult to
Major Catagnaei wculd have justified an
immediate invasion, and though there is littla
Lope that the tone of Shere Ali's answer will b3
contrary to what we may expect, from tha
character of his military preparations and the dis
position towards this country of the Ameer's new
advisers, it will at least disarm the critics of the
Governmerft if the Viceroy holds his hand till he
has read Shere Ali's reply. Meanwhile, there
13 abundant «vidence of the Ameer , as
well as the Indian Government, preparing
for the worst Among the volunteerj to
the Ameer's standard is a so-called Bulgarian
legion. If the organisation of that body be a fact,
we shall know to whose inflaence to credit it.
The prowess of the Bulgars will not go for
much in the face of a regular army and in the
absence of defenceless women and children, unless
these bucaneers turn their attention to the wives
and daughters of the Affghans. We doubt the
Bulgarian story. If Russia means to help the
Ameer unofficially she will seek for instruments
nearer at hand than European Turkey.
from our own correspondent.
BERLIN, O ct , 12.
The German press has on the whole been rather
reticent in its comments on the serious difficulties
which have arisen in the relations of England with
the Amser of Affghanistan. This reserve may ba
partially ascribed to the little direct interest of thii
country in the Central Asiatic question. I do nob
consider, however, this indifference justified, for if
a war were really to break out even in such a fa:
distant country as the territories bordering on
the Himalayas it would have considerable influenc)
also on European politics. My view of the subject ii
confirmed by a remarkable article on " The Way
to India" published by the National Zeitung,
generally not very friendly disposed towards Eng
land or anything English. After a minute
explanation of the great importance of the passes
and defiles of the Hindoo Koosh and the Suleyman
Mountains, the very keys to India, the National
Gazette asserts "that a defence of India mus!:
be undertaken at the very threshold of this
mountainous region. From no side ara the
British possessions in India so threatened as when
the enemy should gain a footing in the northern
passes. England is therefore bound to be on her
guard that they do not fall infco stronger hands
than those of a weak native prince, unsupported
and uninfluenced by any European Power.
Alarm lest Russian engineers, Russian artillery,
or Russian soldiers might unexpectedly appear-
in the passes must have touched to the core th^
British Government in India. The danger
increased on General Stoljetoff'a arrival at
Cabul, for the friendly relations between
Russia and the Ameer contain the hidden
germ of a war to which India will sooner or
later be forced. In order to forestall such a con
tingency England has to take the offensive against
these passes, the natural strength of which greatly
acilitates their defence by the Affghans." The
^ aiional Gazette, not blind to the difficulties which
a repetition of the war of 1840 might entail, never
theless expresses the firm conviction that Great
j Britain cannot recoil, for apprehensions lest
Russia become directly or indirectly master
of the passes are only too well grounded.
" In Khelat, the capital of Baloochistan,
the English have already established themselves,
just as they occupy Quetta, the entry into Affghan
istan proper. Their sway, predominant in the
Bholan Pass and the more southerly situated
Mulla Pass, assures them a strong position against
Candahar. Ali Musjid, dominating the Khybar
Pass, is, according to the latest telegrams, not yat
taken, but little doubt exists that effective
measures have been adopted for its capture. If
| Ee gland succeed in seizing all the important
' passes, the question arises whether she will ever
again loosen her hold in the face of the
probability that Russia, by support of
the Ameer, might block them for ever.
This thought involuntarily leads us to the suppo
sition that Engknd, long haunted by the parils
connected with possession of the pissas, has
cleverly profited by Russia's present exhaustion
to force a quarrel upon the Atneer, whereby a
pretence could be obtained for occupation of the
passes. Surprise ought not to be expressad at
England's determination to secure for heraalf
these strong positions, so necessary for the
peace and tranquillity of InlU, nor at
Russia's apparent intention to prevent such
a definite occupation of the lines can-
necting Northern and Southern Asia by
means of her military power in Turkestan, num
bering, however, only 20,000 men." These note
worthy utterances of the National Zsitung are
attracting universal attention, and well merit con
sideration even beyond the Channel.
„ Saadullah Boy, the Ottoman Am bassador, pra-
sented on Monday, at the Foreign-office, ths
circular note addressed to the Powers by his
Government concerning the occupation of Bosnia
and Herzegovina by the Austro-Hungarians.
Baron Bulow, the Secretary of State, did not
fail, in the Emperor's name, immediately t>
express incredulity at the grave charges raised
against the Austro-Hungarian army. Thii
Government has been extremely irritated at the
tone of the Ottoman circular, so offensive to the
Vienna Cabinet. According to trustworthy
information I am enabled to state that the Sultan
has been in this matter intentionally misled by
some persons whose interest it is to prevent a
speedy re-establishment of order in Bosnia and
Herzegovina. The serious accusations wantonly
launched against the military honour of the Austro-
Hungarian army stand in sharp contradiction
to the numerous official reports submitted
by the various foreign military attaches accom
panying the army of occupation to their respec- {
tive Cabinets in the course of the operations.
They all agree in praising the discipline of the
troops and the humane disposition of the com
manders. Major Gonne, the British military
agent in Vienna, attached to General Philippovich's
staff, has been quite exuberant in his eulogies on !
the excellent behaviour of the Imperial soldiers.
More significance must be accorded to these im
partial judges than to the one-aided defamation
cast by the Sublime Porte on the Austro-Hun-
garian army.
At the first meeting of the International Com
mission charged with the organisation of Eastern
Roumelia it was, on examination of the plein
pouvoirs of the delegates, ascertained that Baron
Brauncshweiz, the German representative, had no
credentials whatever. On being questioned as to
his instructions, the Baron, quite a youngster in
the diplomatic service, and until recently vice-
consul at Bucharest, could not give any satisfac
tory reply. The only proof of his identity was
his corte-de-visite presented by him to the presi
dent. The German Government, sounded on this
strange circumstance by the other Powers
has declared its intention immediately to forward
j the necessary credentials, although his appoint
ment was merely a provisional one. If reports
current in diplomatic circles here may be relied
on some serious dissensions have already arisen
in the commission. Sir Henry Drummond Wolff
the British commissioner, proposed without delay
j the nomination of a Governor-General of Eastarn
j Roumelia, a motion vehemently opposed by his
Russian colleague, who maintained that the
installation of such an official could only ensue
after the complete withdrawal of the Russians froru
Bournelia. As no amicable compromise appeared
possible between these contradictory opinions the
question has been laid before the Powers for
decision.
The Marquis de Saint Vallier, the French
Ambassador, will, after a prolonged leave of
absence, return to his post on the 20th inst.