The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-28 00:00:00

AFFGHANISTAN.

We learn from .Cabul that the Russian army had
halted within two marches of Khiva, and was con-
structing cantonments. Four envoys had been
sent to Dost Mahomed, soliciting him to proceed
to the banks of the Oxus to receive the accredited
agents of the Czar, whose object it was to form a
quadruple alliance between the Czar, the Khan of
Khiva, the Ruler of Cabul, and the King of Bok-
hara. Dost Mahomed consented to the alliance,
but declined crossing the Oxus to meet the King
of Bokhara, unless the Russian General would cross
to the Affghan side of the river, and bring with
him as a hostage the son of the Prime Minister to
the King of Bokhara. It is added that Dost Ma-
homed is willing to forget all the ills he received at
the King of Bokhara's hands, holding that the
importance of the quadruple alliance calls for
the burial of all private animosity. All this in-
telligence, must, we are of opinion, be received
cum grand ; yet it tends to show how wide spread
are the machinations of Russian intrigue. As to
anticipating an invasion of India, we believe that
if such a mad project were attempted, it could only
end in defeat and disaster to the invader. There
are at present troops located on our north-west
frontier sufficient to sweep India from the Hima-
layas to Cape Comorin ; and as for Persia, a force
despatched to Bushire or Karrack will speedily
bring Nusseer-ud-Deen to his senses. We learn
from Umballa that a most brutal murder has been
perpetrated in that station by a British officer,
who is in confinement in consequence. Matters'
continue as usual at Lucknow ; the intemperance
of the monarch suffers no diminution, and crime
has of course increased. The latest accounts from

[PRICE SD.

' Hyderabad (Deccan) represent a somewhat worse
state of confusion and crime as prevailing in
the Nizam's country than usual. Murders are
of frequent occurrence in, the city, and the worst
of outrages are perpetrated in the districts. The
Nizam appears to have lost his natural senses, and
all his enactments emanate from those around him,
even from his menials. His minister who has not
yet attained his twenty-third year, is under the
influence of Mr. Dighton'S Moonshee, at whose
recommendation he' was raised to the dignity of
Dewan. Durbars are- seldom held, as the Nizam
is generally indisposed when the resident calls
for one. During the latter years of General Fraser's
tenure of office,' it was supposed that the Arab mer-
cenaries were to be removed from the service and
territories of the Nizam, and this kept them some-
what orderly, but since the new Resident has ar-
rived, matters have taken a different course, and
seizures of land have been made by the recently ap-
pointed deputy commissioners, which have caused
much dangerous excitement: Some of the estates
of the Ameers have been seized under the plea,
that they form part of the districts ceded to the
Honourable Company, and as the despoiled Ameers
can get no redress, it is predicted that if the estates
are not restored, the Ameers will unite to defend
their own by arms, and that such a flame will be
kindled in the Deccan as will take torrents of
blood to quench. The field force which we
mentioned as having been sent against .the
predatory Rohillas under the command of
Captain Orr, from Hingolee, has been consider-
ably increased by the addition of a squadron
of the 4th cavalry under Lieutenant Fraser from
Bolarum, and a -wing of infantry from the canton-
ment of Wurrungul under Captain Hare. With this
addition to his force, we doubt not Captain Orr will
give a good account of the marauders who have
so long kept the country of the Nizam in hot
water. Accounts from Nagpore represent Berar
to be in a state of perfect tranquillity. The
administration of the State is carried on by Mr.
Mansell, the resident, pending the instructions of
Government; and the brigadier commanding, in
order to be on the safe side, has decided on refusing,
leave of absence to any of his officers. The neigh-
bouring Rajahs are anxiously watching how affairs
will be finally settled, as in the absorption of the
Nagpore territory, they will see
,but the fate that
awaits their own dominions. Rumour also has it,
that the deceased Rajah has willed the country to
the East India Company.