Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-11
Who is post Mohnmmea.

L
months ago that Russia has formed an allianc
with Dost Mohammod has brought into notice
name famous enough Ten years ago. bnt lately a
most forgotten There are doubtless thousands
our readers, especially The younger ones, wonder
ing who Dost Mohammed is. Wewil tell them
for it is name that will probably live in history
The country Of the AifgaGS, lying on the north
west of British India, is mountainous region. in
habited by bold and hardy tribes whose blue eyes
light hair, and marked countenance show them t
be of the best Caucasian race. Some years ago
the monarch of A1ghanlsian dying, the ancien
kingdom split into fragments, and among ihos
who nrofted by the occurrence was Dost Moham
med. younger brother Of a former vizier. Th
British, however, taking the part of Shah Shujo /,
former occupant Of the throne who had been de
posed marched an army into Aiighanistan. seizec
Cabu the capital, and, having made prisoner 0
| Dost Mohammed, sent him across the Indus Il
their own territories, where they retained him il
sort of honorable captivity. At the same tim(
Shah Shuja was replaced on the throne of Cabul
These events happened in 1880 and lS40
For this interference in the affairs Of Afghan.
istan the British had no excuse whatever. 1t i:
true that the Persians were at war with Herat
and that The British feared if Eleral fell that The
Persians. instgated by Russia, would assal Brit
ish India next. It is true also that Dost Aloham
med was believed TO favor The Persians' designs
on Herat But that Dost MOhaInmed was al this
unciure hostile to the British has never been
proved. Dearly, however, did the British pay
for their interference IN November, lS4l, an
nsurrection broke out at Cabul against the Brit
ish. In the tumult Sir Alexander Barnes and sew
eral other distinguished officers lost their lives
This partial rising was followed by an insurec-
tion over the whole kingdom. The British, for
the first time in India since Lord Give began to
lay the foundations of their power, quaied before
the storm. Sir William McNaghten, the British
envoy at Cabul, agreed with Akber Khan, the
favorte son of Dost Mohammed, to evacuate the
country, Akber stipulating to escort the British
army to the frontiers, and Sir William pedging
that Shah Shuja should abdicate in order to make
room for Dost MOhammed's return At second
meeting between Sir William and Ak5er, a dis
sension arising, probably provoked on purpose by
The latter. Sir William was shot dead by the Az
gian chief. Akber, however, agreed subsequent
ly to carry out the terms of the treaty.
Now began retreat the horrors Of which only
that of Moscow has equalled in modern times
Akber professed TO escort the British army, but
secretly instigated it is believed, the mountain
tribes to assail them and consequently The march
of the fugitives was daily scene of massacre
The season was cold, the defes were blocked up
with SNOW, the troops were encumbered with a
large number of women and children, besides n
vast body of camp followers. Some died from
exposure and some were left to perish from sick
ness on the way-sde; but the greater quantity
fell by the swords of the merciless mountaneers.
L., ~. has cir
nal vengeance been visited on invaders. The
passes were filled along the whule line of retreat
with corpses that often were piled in heaps. AL
most the only persons who escaped were some Of
fcers acd their wives who had placed themselves
under Akber's personal care few marches from
Cabul, and who, after months of captivity, after
terrible privations and after long weeks Of sus-
penSe more agcnizing than the worst privatiOns,
succeeded by bribes in making their escape and
reaching the nearest British force, having ridden
several days in hourly peril of their lives.
The British, meantime, had advanced in force
from their own side of the Indus, and had even
penetrated 10 Cabul but, the prisoners. having
thus been recovered and Shah Shuja having been
assassinated it was resolved 10 leave the Aifghans
to themselves. Accordingly Dost Mohammed
who had been retained in captivity all this time
duu WHOSE palIOH III lUe ldte CF6HtS. tHUug
suspected, could not be proved, d,was set at liberty.
lie took possession at once of The throne of Cubul
The British simultaneously abandoned that capi-
tai, but not until they had destroyed its famous
bazaar 1t was in November, 1912, that the last
division re crossed The Indus and the afghan
Prince restored to freedom and escorted to the
frontiers of his kingdom. Just twelve months had
elapsed since the insurrection in Cabul but in
that single year more fatal blow had been struck
at the British power, by destroying the idea of
British invincibilty. than the whole ninety pre-
ceding years had witnessed since the British arms
first began to make headway in the East.
Dost Mohammed has no love for the English.
There is little doubt that he secretly caused the
massacre at Cabu. and that he will at the first
chance seek still further vengeance. In releasing
him the British acted from policy more than any
other motive; for they found they could not hold
Afghanislan, and they thought it would concil-
ate Dost Mohanned to set him at liberty. They
have been mistaken, as they will find, if not now,
then at the first really favorable opportunity
Philadelphia Ledger.