The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-09-28 00:00:00

THE MISSION STOPPED.

The Times of Monday publishes the following from their
Correspondent at Calcutta, under date Sept. 22
Our relations with the Ameer have assumed a
very critical character. The Cabul ruler has at last
thrown off every semblance even of outward friendli-
ness and courtesy, and has chosen to adopt, in pre-
ference' an attitude of marked and open hostility.
Your Special Correspondent with the Mission tele-
graphs that it left Peshawur yesterday and proceeded
as far as Jumrood, a place on the actual frontier,
though within British territory. Thence it was
recalled by a telegram from the Viceroy, and
accordingly it marched back to Peshawur.
This morning private advices from Simla, upon
which absolute reliance can be placed, state
that on the Mission being ordered to march to
Jumrood Major Cavag,nari rode forward to All Musj id,
escorted by Khyberries, in order to ask for a safe pas-
sage. The Ameer's officer, however, at Ali Musjid
positively refused to permit the Mission to advance.
He threatened resistance, and crowned the surround-
ing heights commanding the route with armed men in
order to dispute the passage. The interview between
the Chief and Major Cavagnari lasted three hours,
and, though the former was warned over and over
again that the Ameer would be deemed responsible for
his conduct, he expressed an unflinching determina-
tion to resist the passage of the Mission by force.
Not the faintest shadow of a doubt is entertained
that this officer was acting under full instructions
from the Ameer, inasmuch as Mufti Shah and Akhor,
two responsible officers of the Ameer, have been
despatched from Cabul to All Musjid within the last
few days, Both of these officers have been mentioned
in Cabul news-letters as favourably disposed towards
and engaged in direct communication with the Russian
Embassy. Two important facts require to be noted—
the first that this insolent rebuff occurred in presence
of the two Indian Princes attached to the Mission,
who were personal witnesses of the interview between
Major Cavagnari and the Ameer's officer • the second
,is that the Russian Envoy is still residing at Cabul.
The Mission will now be withdrawn. In view of
the long continued ungracious and hostile conduct
of the existing ruler of Afghanistan, aggravated as
it is by the present contemptuous slight offered to our
national dignity, all possibility of renewing friendly
relations with this uncompromising and morose bar-
barian is utterly hopeless; and even if the prospects
were still hopeful, their realization could only be ac-
complished at the complete sacrifice of proper self-
respect, and at the grave risk of very considerable loss
of prestige in the eyes of our Indian subjects and of our
feudatory Princes. In consequence, therefore, of the
present conduct of Russia, and the future policy for us
which this conduct now decisively indicates, and against
which, fortunately for India, the Government and the
English people are moat fully and completely warned,
this important question of frontier policy will hence-
forward cease to be treated from a merely Indian
standpoint. It at once travels out of the domain of
provincial into that of Imperial considerations, and
those of the very highest magnitude. No one is more
keenly alive than the Viceroy to this new development
of the question, and he clearly discerns that it is
only by the united efforts and energetic co-opera-
tion of the English and Indian Foreign Offices that
this dangerously complex state of matter can be
finally brought to a satisfactory conclusion. The
Indian Government are backed by ample military
resources to enable them promptly and severely to
punish the Ameer for his insulting attitude of dis-
respect, but the significant fact is fully recognized
that the Ameer is but the puppet, while Russia
stands behind as the dens ex machind. Tne measures,
therefore, to be adopted in view of the Ameer's conduct
cease to be a question of Indian policy, but are at once
resolved into a very serious problem of English foreign
politics, which can only be dealt with in strict accord-
ance with the settled principles of the English Cabinet.
Meanwhile, the immediate object of the Viceroy is to
endeavour to make it clearly understood that we have
no cause of quarrel with the Afghan people, and to
endeavour to win over and secure all the border tribes.
The Khyberries have on the present occasion behaved
well, and have shown every disposition to remain
friendly,"

The Times of Monday has the following leader on the
above :

It is impossible to be blind to the serious nature of
the intelligence which reaches Us from Calcutta this
morning. Sir Neville Chamberlain's mission to Cabul
has been recalled by the Viceroy in consequence of the
refusal of the Ameer's officers to allow it to piss the
frontier. The mission left Peshawur yesterday and
proceeded towards Jumrood, a point in British terri-
tory close to the Afghan frontier. Previously to the
arrival of the mission at Jumrood Major Cavagnari, one
of its leading members, hal riddeu forward to Ali
Musjid, a station in Afghan territory, with an escort
of Khyberees, in order to ask for a safe pas-
sage from the Ameer's officer. He was met at once
by a decided and unhesitating refusal, accompanied by
threats of resistance and by a display of armed force
on the surrounding heights. Three hours were occu-
pied in fruitless attempts at negotiation, but as the
responsible officer of the Ameer expressed throughout
his firm determination to resist the passage of the
mission by force, Major Cavagnari returned to Jum-
rood, and the mission withdrew to Peshawur in
obedience to direct instructions telegraphed from the
Viceroy at Simla. It would be some satisfaction,
in the face of this serious rebuff, if we were able
to see in the conduct of the Ameer's officer at Ali
Musjid only the insolent and unwarranted act of a
subordinate official. But we are, unfortunately, denied
even this satisfaction. Within the last few days two
responsible officers of the Ameer, Mufti Shah and
Akhor, have, it seems, been despatched from Cabul to
Ali Musjid. It may be presumed, therefore, that the
conduct of the officer who returned so discourteous and
peremptory an answer to Major Cavagnari was
sanctioned, if not dictated, by these latest emissaries
of the Ameer; and it is, to say the least, unsatisfactory
to learn that both Mufti Shah and Akhor are reported
to be favourably disposed towards the Russian mission
to Cabul, and to have lately been in direct communi-
cation with its chiefs.
This recall of Sir Neville Chamberlain's mission
almost before it had started amounts to an affront,
inflicted before the eyes of all India. Its effect will be
felt in every bazaar throughout the Peninsula, the
more because two native Princes attached to the
mission were witnesses of the slight offered to Major
Cavagnari, and were cognizant of the determined
show of resistance with which the advance of the
mission was met. If the effect of this discourteous
repulse is not promptly effaced by a disavowal of his
subordinate conduct on the part of the Ameer himself,
it may be followed by the gravest consequences.
The purpose of the mission was essentially one
of peace and amity. We have no quarrel with
the Ameer, but we are naturally anxious to
know whether he is really to live with us in friendship
and tranquillity as we are with him, or whether he has
already determined to cast in his lot with a Power
which, whether we will or not, we are forced to regard
as a rival quite as much as a neighbour. If, as there is
too much reason to believe, the Ameer's officer at Ali
Musjid has acted under direct instructions from Cabul,
the question to which Sir Neville Chamberlain was
directed to seek an answer has unexpectedly received
one in the most uncompromLing form. It would still
be premature, in spite of appearances, to conclude
that this is certainly the case, and in a matter of
such grave moment it will be as well that the
public should suspend its judgment until further
information is forthcoming. But, if the news which
reaches us this morning from Constantinople is correct,
we have a corroborative proof that Shere Ali has
determined to accept the alliance of Russia and .to
give the rein to his declared animosity towards Eng-
land. An envoy from Afghanistan has lately arrived
at Constantinople, and has been received by the Sultan;
it is now reported that his object is to induce the Porte
to conclude an alliance with Russia. The two items
of intelligence from Constantinople and Peshawur
corroborate each other, and leave very little room
for doubting Shere Al's real intentions. Thus a
question which has hitherto been chiefly an Indian
and local one becomes immediately an Imperial
one. We had hoped for the friendship of Shere Ali,
or, at least, for his independent neutrality as between
ourselves and Russia. It was disquieting enough to a
Power like ourselves with so much at stake that he
should receive an Embassy from Russia, and we had at
least a right to expect" that he would extend the same
courtgey towards ourselves. But a Prince who rejects
our aMeys in no friendly fashion while he receives
those or a powerful neighbour and rival must be held
to have made his choice of the alliance which suits
him best, and to have given us warning that he has
done so.

In default, then, of prompt explanation and of
reparation for a grave affront we must assame. that we
are now as well acquainted with Shere Al
'sinten-
tions towards ourselves as if Sir Neville Chamberlain's
mission had penetrated to Cabul and had returned
without accomplishing its purpose. We cannot sup-
pose that the mission was refused an entrance on a -
count of its size, though Lord Carnarvon criticized it
from that point of view in his speech at Teversall on
Saturday. "It was too large for a mission," he said,
repeating an objection already made by Mr. Gladstone,
"and too small for an army." For the latter it was
manifestly never meant, and as to its size as a mis-
sion, we may recall that the successful mission of
Major Sandeman despatched by Lord Northbrook to
Khelat in the autumn of 1875 was accompanied by an
escort of 1,000 men. We may fairly assume that if
Shere Au had been disposed to receive Sir Neville
Chamberlain he would have made no objection to the
escort which it was thought expedient to send. What
we have now seriously but calmly and temperately to
consider is the policy of Russia in Central qi% and
especially in Afghanistan, as disclosed by recent
events. Lord Beaconsfield lately said, and said with
truth, that there is room enough in Asia both for Eng-
land and Russia, but the remark cannot betaken to mean
that we should view the establishment of Russian in-
fluence in Afghanistan with indifference. It is along time
since RUESBin was made perfectly aware of our views
on that subject.. In spite of Lord Carnarvon's protest
we should certainly be jealous.of the influence and in-
trigues of Russia n? Afghani.stan. Afghanistan is
separated from India by an impenetrable screen of
mountains, and we cannot allowecitttihigesdeatuogbeeroausvehilopfoers
the intrigues of a Power
edsa.naswhicheft eexciting
feudatory
c would at oncead
ne
everyom e,
in that position, a in
in the Court of ever,Y

populous centre throughout Hindostan. Lord Car-
narvon's alternative that we should meet Russia
in fair Cad in Europe seems almost to imply that we
wish or have a right to pick a quarrel. But it is not
the case that we have any desire to meet Russia in any
field at all. There is room in the world, and even in
Asia, for both, and Sir Neville Chamberlain was cer-
tainly not despatched to Afghanistan in order to enable
England to pick a quarrel with Russia. But, however
peaceful our wishes and intentions may be, it is im-
possible for us not to be aware that matters in India
are very serious when Shere All rejects our advances
with scarcely disguised hostility at the very time that
an Embassy from Russia is welcomed with marked
respect at Cabul.

The Times, in another leader on Tuesday, remarks :

. . . If the Ameer of Cabul is determined not to be our
friend, it is just as well that we should learn the fact in
good time. There is nothing just now that can make him for-
midable as our foe. If he persists in refusing the demands we
may see lit to make upon him, he can calculate upon no
effectual support outside his own territory. Our reckoning
will be with him, and with him alone, and such a prospect can
hardly be thought alarming. There is nothing worse before
us than one of those troublesome little wars to which we
have so often found ourselves committed in every quarter of
the globe. A comparison of resources in such a case is well-
nigh ridiculous. We are, of course, by far the stronger, arid
can choose nor own way with the certainty of following it at
our will. We have no love for the adventure, but we shall
have no thought of shrinking from it tilts necessity is clear.
We need not conclude, as yet, that we shall be obliged to
resort to force before we can establish satisfactory relations
with Afghanistan. There is room still left for an explanation
of what has happened. We are not very hopeful that such
an explanation will be given, but it will be at least incumbent
on us to ask for it. The Ameer of Cabul has not yet stated
his own case. The resistance offered to our Mission was the/
act of a subordinate, and it may possibly be disclaimed by the
Ameer himself. In any case, we shall be compelled to wait for
some months before we can begin operations. If we have to
deal a blow, it would be all the better for being sharp and
decisive, and at any rate must come with an irresistible force
Time, however, will be required before our preparations can
be complete. Nothing, probably, can be done until next
spring. During winter the mountain passes would be found
blocked with snow, and winter begins early in the passes.
There is no need for us to be hasty. We can wait our own
time, and it will suit us in every way to allow our dis-
courteous neighbour the fullest opportunity for reconsider-
ing his conduct. The news that we are preparing to move
will not be without its effect. To insult a British Envoy
may be agreeable enough and safe enough for the
moment ; but when it is evident that the insult
will not be suffered to pass unpunished, the case
is a good deal-altered. We have put up with so much from
Shere Ali, and have been so exceedingly anxious not to give
him needless offence, that he is possibly lnellned to fancy
that we shall put up with anything he may be pleased to offer.
We trust for his own sake, and for ours too, that he may
become aware of his mistake before he is overtaken by ha
consequences. We shall not turn aside now from the frontier
policy we have deliberately determined to follow. If there
are obstacles in the way, we shall know how to deal
with them. We have formed the opinion that it is not
safe for us to leave Afghanistan to itself. What we
most wish is that the ruler of that country should
be an independent and a friendly potentate. If Shere Ali
will take that position, we shall have nothing more to ask of
him. We cannot suffer him to be unfriendly and independent
too. Our frontier must be secured in any case, and if Shere
Ali will not help us in this matter, we shall know how to
obtain what we want without his help. Moreover, the rebuff
he has given us has been so openly dealt that we cannot put
up with it. It will not he for long that the English
Envoy can he turned back by the Ameer's orders.
Our envoy will come next, not to request admittance,
but to demand it; if, indeed, meanwhile the Ameer
himself does not see the blunder he has made and sue
for the Mission which he has just so contemptuously
repelled. We still hope that war may be averted; but if
war must come, better a little war now than an open trouble
for some years, followed possibly by a great war which we
may be less well placed for meeting. Our mission to Cabul
has been no momentary freak, undertaken without delibera-
tion or without careful weighing of centingencies. It has,
been one step in the course of a policy on which we have
resolved. We know what we have been aiming at, and why;
and there is nothing in the refusal of the Ameer to receive
our Mission which can operate to change our settled
views. . . .

The Daily News of Tuesday says :—" A carefully matured
plan, undei taken by the Viceroy of India, acting with the
entire approval of the Government here, has been foiled at
its first movement. We have formally applied to the Ameer
of Cabul for permission to enter into communication with
him; and his answer has been to bar the door against uQ,
and threaten to fire upon us if we come any nearer. It this
were the action of some uncivil or capricious European
prince it might very well be passed over with contempt or
indifference. We had offered to enter into friendly core-.
munication, and our offer had been declined, and
there would be nothing more to be done or said on our
part. The discredit of the incivility would fall upon the
uncivil personage, and it would not be regarded -as any
business of ours to teach fm better manners. But the
English Government cannot afford to deal thus with an
Asiatic prince, and more especially with the Ameer of Cabal.
Our statesmen in office have drawn the atttntion of Asia and
the whole world to the mission they were setting on foot, and
it is only too certain that if they now put up with the rebuff
they have received it will become an article of faith all over
Asia, and especially throughout India, that we can no longer
make our will power in the East. "I here is more than this.
When Amphitryon in the great comedy finds the door closed
against him which he hacicounted on finding invitingly open,
the bitterness of the repulse does not lie only or chiefly in the
fact that he is shut out. The pain is that while he is ex-
cluded another is welcomed : the gate which has been
closed in his face, shelters the other who has found a
cordial reception within. It would be impossible to
doubt that already rumour is announcing all over
India that Shere Ali has turned back our representatives
while he was entertaining the officers of the Emperor of
Russia. 'Unless, then, events should take a very unexpected
turn, unless Shere Ali should disavow the act of his servant,
and explain and apologise in some satisfactory way, we pre-
sume that the Viceroy of India will have to prove that when
England invites herself to a conference with an Asiatic
prince it is not in the power of such a prince peremptorily to
decline the interview. What does this mean? War with
Sheo All, we must suppose; a war which will cost us many
lives and much money ; which cannot possibly bring us
glory or safety, which cannot, however it end in the present,
bear any finality ' with it, and which may set half Asia
aflame. The first movement in such a policy ie, to use a
celebrated comparison, like a cannon ball fired at random
and in the darkness."

The Morning Poot rare the effert nf the recall of
the llljsiloll Oil our position in India cannot be exaggerated.
We appear in the position of being openly defied by a neigh-
bouring ruler of third-rate power, and this dellAtico gathers
additional effect from its having been evidently given at the
instigation of Russia. Of the moral evidebc3 of Russia's
guilt there can be no doubt. Her action at the present
moment is but the consistent realization of the policy of
some of her ablest statesmen Alliances with Persia and
Afghanistan have long been laid down by well.known
Russian diplomatists and officers as the goal of Russian
effort. The alliance with Persia is a fait accompli;
that with Afghanistan is not yet declared, but the events
of last Saturday are very strong evidence that the project had
borne fruit, though it may not be officially realised Having
established friendly relations with the Ameer, Russia can
easily find means of supplying him with arms and officers,
and thus play off Afghanistan against us as she played off
Servia against Turkey. Whether we are to hold Afghanistan
as responsible for the rebuff to our mission, solely or con-
jointly with Russia, we cannot overlook this last illustration
of Shere All's defiant attitude. It will be for the Government
to declare in what manner we shall seek satisfaction for our
outraged dignity.

Great fears are entertained in Paris (says the corre-
spondent of the Standard) that the complications with
Afghanistan may bring about a conflict between England
and Russia. The Temps accurately defines the state of
opinion on this subject. "The gravity of the situation," it
says, "consists in the fact that England, holding Russia
responsible for the behaviour of the Ameer, might strain the
connection which exists between Anglo-India and the
Eastern question in general" This is a guarded way of
implying that England might have to fight in Europe to
defend her Indian frontier.