The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-03-21 00:00:00

THE AFGHAN FRONTIER DISPUTE.

It may now be said that the gathering clouds of
war between this country and Russia, in consequdnce
of the latter's aggression towards Herat, are being
raptdly atd peaceably disnersed. From the Prime
Minister's statement in the -House of Commons last
Friday night it was assumed that there was a reason-
able prospect of the preservation of peace, and the
prospect is emphasied by the later utterances of the
Czar himself. Mr. Gladstone informed the House of
Commons that "it has been agreed between England
and Russia that no further advances are to be made
on either side," and that "the subject of ascertaining
the frontier by inquiry and by correspondence is at
present ender treatment by diplomatic communica-
tions." If Russia is as sincere as England in desiring
an equitable settlement of the frontier difficulty, it
ought to be an easy task to define and agree upon the
proper boundaries of Afghanistan. It would certainly
have been much more satisfactory and reassuring if the
Russian Government had undertaken to withdraw
from the positions upon which the advance had been
made since the engagement to appoint the Boundary
Commission was entered into. Unfortunately, the
deliberate advailce of Russian troops, and the actual
occupation, not only of territory in dispute, but of
territory which Russian official maps have shown to
be within the limits of Afghanistan, must be regarded
as evidence of want of good faith, and as indicating a
determination to accomplish a purposewhich England
considers to be hostile to its interests. Russia, having
agreed to the appointment of a commission for the
delimitation of the frontier, delayed for months
the despatch of her commissioner, -although
Sir Peter Lumsden had not only set out, but
was actually
~on the ground. Meanwhile, how-
ever, consideralole bodies of troops were pressed for-
ward, and but for the presence of Sir Peter Lunasden's
large "escort," which was sagaciously provided by the
Indian Government, even more important move-
ments would have taken place. Russia has now
agreed to make no further advance; but as it is
notorious that the Russian Government cannot be
trusted, our Government continues watchful while the
negotiations are ping on.

Referring to the attitude of the Powers the Daily
Telegraph says: "The provisional compromise which
has been effected has beenreceived by all the Exchanges
as a hopeful incident. In this country public opinion,
always provided there has been no surrender of the
ultimate rights of Afghanistan to the disputed terri-
tory, is well pleased to believe that the chance of an
accidental collision is averted as far as the influence
of the two Cabinets can extend. Even those who
take the sternest view of Russian encroachments, and
foresee ph.inly the hour when the two Empires will
meet in conflict probably on this very ground, would
have regretted the precipitation of war through a few
shots fired and a few saddles emptied in the wild and
barren border-land. If we have finally to fight Russia
in this region, with all Asia watching the tremen-
dous tourney, we should prefer that the cause
of quarrel were very clear, the lists deliberately
marshalled, and the gauntlet deliberately thrown
down and emphatically taken up. While ominous
reports come from Askabad, through Teheran, re-
specting the movement of troops, an echo to the
pacific policy of our Cabinet is transmitted from
Russia, where the Czar is reported to have said: I
cannot conceive that any but the wildest dreamers
can imagine for one instant that I have the intention
of declaring war, seeing that no success of our arms
would repay us for the sacrifice we should be called
upon to make.' This is, no doubt, Imperial good
sense ;• and, as far as measured phrases can go, the
language of M. Lessar is certainly quiet enough,
though the pretensions attributed to this gentleman
on behalf of his employers are amusingly and almost
impudently bold. M. Lessar claims for a fron-
tier line one drawn a little south of Zul-
fikar, which running due east would cut through
Chaman-i-Baid on the Kushk River, whence the line
would take a north-easterly direction to a few miles
south of Penjdeh, leaving Bala-Murghab in Afghan
territory. From Penjdeh almost a direct line is taken
to north-east to Koja-Saleh. We can only hope that
such claims, if put forward, are advanced on the prin-
ciple of Eastern horsedealears, who ask ten times as
much as they intend to accept. The impending inter-
view at Rawal Pindee between Lord Dafferin and the
Ameer Abdurrahrnan will probably solve these ques-
tions, and place the issues of future war or peace in
a clear light. Russia ought to understand that in this
part of Asia there must be in future a territorial line,
the passing of which will mean war with the
British Empire by land and sea. As to the fear
that if the frontier comes within one hundred,
eight' or forty miles of Herat the safety of India
will be hopelessly compromised, it ought to be dis.
tinctly understood that the defence of our Eastern
Empire depends not on the miles of margin between
it and Russia, but on the courage of English Cabinets.
As Lord Beaconsfield said, 'The key of India is in
London,' and there will be no sudden seizure of Herat
if the Czar understands what would follow it. We
hope and believe that in the negotiations of the last
few days Ministers have not minced matters, but
have spoken clearly as to the certainty of war follow-
ing specified acts of advance or aggression. Plain
language of this kind would have averted the Crimean
and many other contests into which nations have
gradually drifted.'