The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-05
EyGLAyD AND AFaHANIsTAM

Afghnnistnn, consenting to receive Sir Nevill
Chamucrlain's mission. l based this assertion
on knowledge. which was MS open to the Gov
eminent and the press as to any private indi-
vidunl and now tho whole world # taken by
surprise: the few quidnuncs who at this desc
late season Of the year haunt the clubs are buzz
ling with alarm; the Tunes comes ont with
leader moro utterly naccid than usual the gist
Of which is that it really does not seriously mat
ter, and though England has received Il slap in
the face from petty potcntate in tho sight OF
all India. there il no reason why she should DO
in violent hurry to resent it, The Russian
embassy is jubilant; so are Mr.. Gladstone and
the unpatriotic party who are always ready to
see their country sacrificed. 80 long rs 1t In
wolves the political humiliation OF their oppo-
nents and the Government are profoundly per-
picked and By no means at harmony among
themselves.
Ever since Lord Iytton went out 10 India
ms Niccroy no has been urging vigorous
border policy on the Government. His pre-
decessors had persistcntly maintained an aui-
tude Of reserve. amounting to Indifference. to
the advance Of Russia in central Asia. When
Yakoob Boy sent mission to implore de-
fensvc alliance for the protection OF Kashgar.
the Governor-G neral refused to listen to
his pleadings. and when in 1873 this very
Amecr Of Afghanistan who is now in
the arms Of Russia sent an envoy to
Lord Northbrook. TO warn him that II he did
not at once conclude defensive alliance with
him he would be forced into an opposite policy.
the Niccroy declined to entertain the proposal.
Tho extreme to which mastery inactivity"
was pushed by Lord Northbrook is only cquallcd
by the violence OF Lord Lytton's reaction. In
his zeal TO reverse the policy OF his predcccs-
sors. he has fallen into the ditch on the other
side. SO long rs Lord Salisbury was the Min
lister for India he ondeavorcd IN vain to win
him over to the restless schemes which fred
his poetic imagination The removal of Lord
Salisbury from the India Office to Foreign Az
fairs. and the despatch Of a Russian mission to
Cabul. gave him the opportunity he was look
ing for. and it is moro than probable that he
was secretly encouraged b. Lord BcaconsGeil
himself.
BE that ne il ray. mission. accompanied hya
strong military force Is suddenly announced AMI
its imposing character trumpetel abroad 10 the
world. From that moment retreat Became i'm
possible. No steps had first been secretly taken
to find out what mood the Amcer was in AMI
no preparations wero made for immediate ac-
ton in the event Of his reply being unfavor-
able. All the indications went TO show that 1t
certainly would be unfayorablc. but the Cow
eminent seemed TO be lullcd by misplaced con-
ndcnce. and the prcgs and public followed suit
The death Of the heir 10 the throne causes
delay. Of which the Ameer avails himself TO
post troops upon the passes on the road leading
10 Cahul and make preparations for defence; .
and when the leading member Of the mission.
who is sent ahead TO feel the way. meets the
commanding officer Of the Amcers avant
garde. ho is unceremoniousy informed
that IL he moves step further he
will be fired upon. Meantime Gen. AbramoiI
and the Russian mission IRE being Hospitality
entertained at Cabul and chuckling over the
reversed position which the laundering diplo-
macy Of England has created
The annexation OF the Mohammedan Khanatos
by Russia her war against Turkey. and the re-
ligious character with which II was invested. all
tended TO constitute England the champion OF
Islam. Her own thirty millions OF Mussulman
subjects were eager for n war in which they
should he led against tho Musc0vito the central
Asian Khanntos were looking forward Tor the
.nal 10 be given by England 10 rise against
their Russian conqueror. backed 10y English
| money and military volunteers from her
Mohammedan troops. In fact. Russia's weak
est and England's strongest point was in
central Asia. Now all is changed. Russia
has assumed tho role Of protector Of Asian
MussumAn States. England is collecting her
native armies to fight against their corcligion-
and the conquest OF Afehansian ly England
| will not be ali event calculated 10 restore their
confidence. The large Mohammedan States Of
| India. which enjoy quasi Independence ms.
| for instance Hyderal ad with its population OF
| $4,000 900. will sympa;hze with Afghanistan.
| and all tho more so because many 81 them have
Legitimate ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the English Gov
eminent. which have been persistenty and
most uniusuy ignored.
| All this has been accomplished In the space OF
few months by an impetuous and shallow pol
| icy which has transformed the splendid diplo-
matte position which England held IN the
| spring into ono OF serious difficulty and peril
Except possibly the Times, there is no one SO
sanguine Ms to suppose that a war with Afghan
istan can now be avoided; but to increase the
misiortunes OF the situation. tho time Of year il
one when no such war can bc undertaken. The
passes leading into the country are covered In
winter with six feet of snow. md We must 81,
| down until the spring under tho painful con.
| seriousness OF having received m insult which
| II is impossible TO resent During the whole OF
this time the native press will be agitating Rus.
sia will be Intriguing agents will be secret,
working upon the native mind and tho war will
| be made MS unpopular ms possible. In England
It will not find more favor than in India.
The public havc no desire whatever to annex
| Alsutnlslhn' 1uey t'nlemDer II rs tho scene
Of tho Greatest military disaster that ever
furnished British arms in India; they know
1t 20 be utterly worthless IA TORT
| torlal acquisition. inhabited 10y y fierce
fanatic, and warlikc race, whose barren noun
tains arc not worth keeping when they are con
qucrcd From q strategic point OF view m,
| conquest OF tho country. even il il could he No.
complished without great loss OF life. which +.
extremely improbable. would be mistake. i
would approach the British 10 the Russian
frontier, rendering the march shorter for IN,
Russian attacking army and Il would furnish
worse limo Of defence. willie the population
would be in sympathy with the invaders
| Logically there Ia no reason why. II Enelano
takes Af-hanis,an. she should Iot 10 on 60 take
| Persia
II would have boon bcttcr 70 allow Rus
STA to tako Afghanistan than for England t.
burden herself with it, Every such state II q
barrel Of Gunpowdcr 10 tho country hol ling il
and to build M frontiers with gunpowder is moi
the most sensible way Of defending territory.
1t Is not impossible that this Afghan comp,,,a
| ton may produce n popular reaction against