The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-22 00:00:00

INDIA.

The great battle at Bamian, in Affghanistan, has left
Shere An more completely master of the country than be
has ever been before. It was generally expected that
Abdul Rahman would win. He had never suffered defeat
before, and had won brilliant victories against far greater
odds than would meet him at Bamian. But there seems
no doubt about his having been signally defeated on this
occasion, though, as vanquished Affghan Sirdars somehow
generally contrive to do, he has succeeded in escaping
himself, and will not improbably defy pursuit. The result
will do much to pacify Affghanistan, and will, in all like.
%.thood, be favourable to English interests. Had Abdul
rtahmam pined the battle, he also would have made
friendly advances to England, but his power would have
been weaker, and his alliance less advantageous than
Shere Ali's. The famine, however, has got to Cabul, and
civil war and want have produced a deplorable state of
affairs.

The recent cyclone in the Bay of Bengal did much
damage. Every vessel in harbour at Akyab was driven
ashore, and many native boats were destroyed. A thousand
acres of rice were ruined.

The commercial war between England and Russia in Cen.
tral Asia has already terminated in the defeat of the latter.
Russian goods were threatened with total expulsion from
the market. So utter was the rout that the Russians felt
themselves constrained to levy a prohibitory duty of twenty-
five per cent.on the value of English manufactures imported
into Muscovite territory. This policy has been productive
of much injury to the native inhabitants.
Four thousand miles of railway have been completed in
Ilindostan, and 1,000 more are projected or commenced.
The discovery of gold in Ceylon has created a demand for
a line to the metalliferous district. Such a scheme can
hardly turn out ill, for if the gold prove a failure there is
abundance of iron.

From the famine districts there is no change, except for
he worse, in the dismal bulletin of the last few weeks.

AMERICA.

The American press all but unanimously expresses the
hope that the trial of Jefferson Davis will now be rele-
gated to the limbo of departed things. They pro.
nouncc it " sheer humbug." Scarcely less decisive is
public opinion in the United States on the subject
of the interference in Paraguay. More than one
paper of different politics charge Mr. Washburn with
violating his trust as ambassador, and conspiring to over.
turn the Government of Paraguay. Others think the
behaviour of the American representative has been se
doubtful that the alleged insult to the American flag had
better be passed over in silence. Besides, what is there to
be gained by sending a fleet up the La Plata? The
whole of the river is now in the hands of the Allies, and
Lopez has withdrawn to the interior. The Americar
squadron will have the opportunity of firing unlimited
shot into the dense brushwood on the banks of the river ;
but that appears to be the extent of the
redress they will obtain from the strange people
whom the fortune of war has driven out of reach.
According to a telegram from a Paraguayan source, Mr.'
Washburn is to be replaced, and the American Govern.'
ment will institute a minute inquiry into his conduct.
The war in Paraguay makes no progress.