The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-06-14 00:00:00

Ete fitourbage eberVer.

SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1879.

AFGHANISTAN AND SOUTH AFRICA.

IT is just twelve months since an incident
took place in the distant city of Cabul
which, although not attracting ranch interest
or attention at the time, has since been pro-
ductive of grave and serious consequences.
On the 7th June, 1878, a Russian Mission
arrived in the Afghan capital, and was
somewhat ostentatiously welcomed by the
then reigning Ameer. For many years
Great Britain and Russia had agreed not to
take such a measure as this with respect to
the land of mountain passes and wild tribes;
and, therefore, the arrival of the Muscovite
mission was not in accordance with the
understanding which had long existed be-
tween the two Powers. But the explanation
of it seemed to be just this. England, two
months previously, had summoned several
thousand Indian troops to Europe to be
ready in case of emergency to act in the
then threatening state a foreign affairs. It
was no secret that the relations between the
Courts of London and St. Petersburg were
at that time anything but satisfact3ry ; and
that if the Indian soldiers were to act at all,
it would be against the forces of the Czar.
It was probably, therefore, deemed expedient
by the Russians to create a diversion which
would compel England to keep her Hindoo
warriors in their native land ; hence the
mission to the capital of Afghanistan. The
plan succeeded, and the authorities at Cal-
cutta lost no time in demanding from the
Ameer that the emissaries of the Russian
Emperor having been received, Shere All
should also extend a welcome- to the repre-
sentatives of the Queen of England. The
ruler at Cabul politely but firmly declined to
give the greeting asked for ; and the result
is well known. Great Britain made war
upon him, he became a fugitive from his
dominions, was speedily thereafter gathered
to his fathers, and Yakoob Khan, his son,
reigned in his stead. The Afghans, contrary
to expectation, and in opposition to the ex-
periences of forty years ago, made no serious
attempt to oppose the progress of the victori-
ous British army • we were, indeed, for the
most time marching against an invisible
enemy; and. thus it came to pass that on the
7th June, 1879, exactly twelve months from
the day when the Russian Mission arrived in
Cabul—the London papers were enabled to
publish a correspondence between the Vice-
roy of India and Yakoob Khan, showing
that hostilities were at an end, and holding
out hopes that Great Britain having obtained
her scientific frontier as the north-west
boundary of India there will be a period of
prolonged peace India,
the two countries.
The war in Afghanistan lasted just six
months, from November to May; and the
English people will consider themselves
fortunate if the conflict in South Africa is
not of longer duration. The British forces
crossed the Tugela and entered the land of
the Zulus on the Pth of January—five
months ago; and the expedition, so far from
being a triumphant march, as in Afghanistan,
has thus far been more productive of misfor-
tune than of glory. The Zulus, unlike the
Afghans, have fiercely resisted the invasion
of their territory • and reinforcements by
thousands have had to be despatched from
England in order, if possible, to bring the
war to a satisfactory termination. The un-
expectedly stubborn resistance of the Zulus
has caused the season most favourable to the
carrying out of hostilities to glide away;
and now we learn that King Cetewayo has
commenced setting fire to the grass along
the lines by which our columns must ad-
vance. The difficulties in the way of the
transport service are enormous, for as there
are no provisions nor forage in the country
itself, every item of the commissariat has to
accompany the troops in their marches
through a barren land. It is very different
indeed from the onward progress of the
German armies through France nine years
ago. The way then lay over fertile plains
white with harvest, through luxuriant vine-
yards ant* cultivated farmsteads. It was
only for the Germans to "requisition" what
they wasted—whether the choicest of wines
or the best of victuals and the thing
was done. But Zululand is not France;
and to say nothing of corn or wine, or olives,
at present there is not even grass in it for
the horses. With lofty hills sometimes
barring the way, and rocky ravines occasion-
ally diversifying the line of march, it is no
wonder that the progress is a slow one.
Whatever may be attempted the fact seems
tolerably clear that the army is in no fit
condition to undertake the winter campaign
as yet, and it is j-st possible that the advance
may be delayed for some time to come.
Already August is spoken of as the period to
which it would be wise to defer operations
on any large scale. Sir Garnet Wolseley is,
however, hastening towards the Cape by day
and by night; and his abilities to make the
best of a military situation surrounded with
difficulties the public have every confidence.
No doubt the youth of the men forming the
rank and file of the army is a serious defect,
which made itself felt m the Afghan cam-
paign, andhaa now become painfully apparent
in consequence of the strain thrown upon
our resources by the Zulu war. But modern
warfare depends more upon scientific skill than
upon the mere weight of the physical frame;
and as the new commander-in-chief in Sol:l,th
Africa is one of the most skilful, scientific,
and successful commanders of his day, there
io more riolsoll to hope for a speedier termin-
ation of the Zulu war than, looked at super-
ficially, recent accounts would seem to
wafrant.

THE IRON TRADE.
WoLVERHAMPTON, Wednesday.
The market this afternoon had for some
time an appearance of activity; but the total
result was unsatisfactory, for the sales
effEicted were bat few, and they related to
only small quantities. Pigs were much
pressed -upon the market, bat with scarcely
any effect. There was less disposition to
buy raw iron at any price than has for some
time been seen. Consumers have from time
to time bought at low figures, as they sup-
posed, under the conviction that it could be
impossible for quotations to go lower, and
quotations have continued to recede.
They will now buy forward no longer,
except upon terms which are altogether
exceptional and quoted. Much raw iron is
still held by makers, who would be glad to
sell at least a portion of it at a heavy loss.
Such a loss will not however tempt buyers.
Finished iron is in demand enough to permit
of the works being kept on hardly more than
one-third time. A trifle more is doing for
the moment in sheets and common plates
sheets are quieter.
and bars. Stamping
Prices remain unchanged for A 1 qualities
at the published quotations, but common
iron is still being sold at prices which ai e
painfully low. The knowledge that ti e
United States ironmaßters have given their
ironworkers their old wages in the new
agreement is interpreted favourably as to a
revival in trade at an early day ; and the
market learnt with satisfaction that this
afternoon arrangements were made for the
restarting- of the four chief pumping encrines
of file 21eft Drainage Commissioners. °Coal
Wad plentiful, the )1191f1 IQ ea the SPiliciwoll