The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-10-25 00:00:00

ABDICATION OF THE AMEER,
YAKOOB KHAN.

A telegram from Simla, dated October 19th, an-
nounces the abdication of the Ameer, Yakoob Khan.
General Roberts has advised him to reconsider the
matter, but he remains firm in his resolution. He in-
tended taking this step earlier, but was then dis-
suaded. General Roberts is accordingly making pro-
visional arrangements for maintaining order and
carrying on the administration of the country.

The 2'imes of Monday had a leader on the position of
affairs in Afghanistan, from. which we extract the following
comments on the abdication of Yakoeb Khan
"The event is one of grave importance, but the
public will not, perhaps, be wholly unprepared for it
after the account which we published on Saturday of
General Roberts's formal entry into Cabul. The late
Ameer declined on that occasion to join the Englizh
General's procession, pleading indisposition as his ex-
cuse. He sent his son with the General, however,
who was also accompanied by Daoud Shah; and
all the principal Sirdars were summoned to listen
to the proclamation issued to the people of
Cabul. Yakoob Khan's indisposition, as well as
much of his previous conduct, is now explained. If
he had been compelled to accompany the entry into
Cahn], it might have been supposed that his abdica-
tion was forced upon him by his being placed in a
humiliating position before his subjects in his own
Japital. But the politic forbearance of General
Roberts in the matter enables us now to conclude that
the Ameer's abdication may be taken as a genuine and
voluntary admission on his part that he feels himself
unequal to the position in which circumstances had
placed him. His determination seems to be firm
and well-considered; when it was first made known
to Sir Frederick Roberts, he was urged to recon-
sider it, but after some further reflection he an-
nounced that he was still of the same mind. His
abdication was then, it would seem, accepted by the,
British General, who at once took measures for secur-
ing the maintenance of the late Ameer's lapsed autho-
rity during the necessary interregnum. With Cabul in
complete possession of the British troops and the
mutinous regiments routed and disarmed, there need
be no serious apprehension that this change of autho-
rity will have any untoward results. Yakoob Khan's
sovereignty, so long as it lasted, depended on British
support; his independent power was at an end at least
for the moment, and it is quite possible that the sur-
render of his nominal authority may ultimately be
found to further rather than to impede the task im-
posed upon us in the punishment of Cabul and the
reduction of Afghanistan to some sort of order and
settled government.
"it is quite possible, therefore, that Yakoob Khan's
abdication may, as our Correspondent points out, re-
lieve us ultimately from some embarrassments. It
throws a new light on his character„ and enables us
to see clearly, what we could only suspect before, that
he has never since his release from captivity possessed
the force and firmness of character which arc abso-
lutely necessary in the ruler of such a country as
Afghanistan. If we can find a fitting successor
who can make his authority respected, it will be
Just as well that a weak ruler such as Yakoob
Khan has now shown himself to be should have
voluntarily set himself aside. But it is im-
possible to doubt that the primary effect of
his abdication will be to increaPe the difficulties
Immediately before us. Yakoob Khan was at least
the acknowledged Sovereign of Afghanistan, and his
authority as such was recognised. It will be necessary
to find, not only some one who is ready to take his
place, but some one whose right to do so will be gene-
rally recognised by the people whom he is called upon to
rule. An unpopular nominee of the Indian Government,
supported by British bayonets, would at beat occupy the
precarious position of Shah Soojah, whose history and
fate will naturally be a significant warning against any
attempt to repeat the disastrous precedent. Even if
Yakoob Khan's son were not too young, he probably
shares the unpopularity which his father has never
completely overcome, and would therefore prove
unacceptable to the leading Sirdars. There are prac-
tical objections, therefore, under existing circum-
stances, to the two alternatives—the succession of
Yakoob's son and the direct nomination of an Ameer
by British authority, Whoever is to rule in Afghan-
ietan must be a man of rare force and courage, accept-
able to the Sirdars and free from the suspicion of being
the mere nominee and delegate of a foreign Power.
There remains a third course, The leading Sirdars,
especially those of the great Durani clan, which has
long furnished the rulers of Afghanistan, might be
invited to select their own Ameer, on the condition
that the selected Sovereign was acceptable to the
Indian Government. This condition is manifestly
indispensable. We should gladly leave the choice of
an Ameer to the Afghans themselves as far as
possible; but the ruler chosen must in all cases be
prepared to take up and fulfil the engagements entered
into by his predecessor, and he must also be able to
show that he has the power, as well as the will, to do
so effectually. Until some such solution as this of the
present difficulty is reached, it is clear that we have
no course open to us but to retain our hold on Af-
ghanistan and take what measures we can for its
government as well as for our own security. This
necessity undoubtedly opens up a wide and uncertain
prospect in the immediate future. But in reality the
prospect was none the less uncertain while such a
weak ruler as Yakoob Khan has lately shown
himself to be retained his nominal sovereignty. At
least we know now what is the task before us. We
could not have deposed Yakoob, however unfit to rule
he might have proved, without undertaking the
responsibility which is now thrust upon us without
our seeking It; while if we had trusted to his good
faith and good will we should have found sooner or
later that he had not the power to fulfil his engage-
ments, and had lost the authority on which we had
hoped to rely for the security of our own interests,". . .

From the particulars published of the attack on the
British troops at the Shuturgardan and Sirkai, Kotal
on the 14th, it appears that the latter place being
threatened, Major Collis was sent there with reinforce-
ments. He was attacked by 2000. of the enemy, who
were afterwards reinforced by 2,000 more. A desperate
attack was made on the British Camp, but it was re-
pulsed at the point of the bayonet, and the enemy
fled, leaving 40 killed and 200 wounded, Our loss was
two killed, and fourteen wounded. The Kurram
tribes are said to be in a state of commotion.

• The following has been sent to the papers from the
India Office for publication :

"From Viceroy, October 20.

"Roberts telegraphed, 14th October. 'lnfantry and
cavalry marched through Cabal streets; people respectful.
Three cases of cholera among troops; his force in camp at
Slab Sung; Ws cavalry found 12 guns from Ghazni abandined
near Cabul.'

"Communications with Cabal have been since interrupted
by injury to telegraph between Alikhel and Shutargardan. At
Shntargardan Colonel Money had been surrounded by
hostile gathering of tribes from 15th, but news just re-
ceived that they are dispersing on authentic news of our
possession of Cabul and of arrival at Khuabi of detachment
from Cabul sent to relieve Shutargardan.

TERRIBLE EXPLOSIONS AT OABUL.
"From Viceroy, October 21.

"Following from IL ,berts, Cabul, 17th. 'Portion of ma-
gazine in Upper Bala Hisser blew up soon after noon
yesterday, and constant explosions have occurred since.
Nothing left but large powder magazine, said to contain
about 250,0001 b. ; aU small-arms, ammunition, and
other munitions of war collected by Shere Ali must
have been destroyed. Captain Shafto, vita Goorkha
guard at gate, and small party of Goorkhas, including
subadar major, who were sitting near, have been blown
up; altogether about twenty lives lost. A soldier, 67th
Foot, was killed in garden below. 67th and Goorkhas
were moved out of Bala Hissar at once, and now encamped
with rest of force on Slah Sung rang). No rea.on to sup-
pose explosion oecurred except by accident; powder and
ammunition were lying all over; every precaution was
taken, gate shut, guard placed, and no one admitted except
on business. Endeavours now being made to check progress
of fire and save larger magazine, blowing up of which would
doubtless cause considerable damage to life and property In
city.'"