The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-11-29
AFGHANISTAN.
What kind of Country Great Britain
has to Conquer.
What is Afchanistana

Geographically, Afghanistan is a coun-
try situated in the Himmalaya noun
tains, in Central Asia. 1t lies between
% degrees 30 minutes and 26 degrees
north latitude, and go and II degrees and
30 minutes longitude east. 1t is bound
ed on the north by Turkistan, on the east
by the Punjaub and Scinde, on the south
by Beloochistan, and on the west by the
province of Khorassan, in Persia. 1t
contains about 100000 square miles, a
little larger than Texas, and has popu-
lation estimated at six millions. Its to-
biographical features are broken, consist
ing of high mountains and deep valleys
The climate is as varied as the landscape,
some OF the mountains being covered
with perpetual SHOWS, and some of the
valleys being intensely hot.
But notwithstanding these extremes
the climate averages we'll, and is much
more agreeable as place of residence
than India, and as rule very healthy
A large proportion of the soil is fertile
Sugar-cane, cotton and the fruits of Eu-
rope, with our vegetables, are abundant.
Its principal rivers are the Cabool and
the Helmud, the latter OVERLOOKING its
banks periodically, like the Nile, giving
great fertility to the lands in its valley.
Its chief cities are four, Cabool, the cap
ital, Candahar, GhuZni, and Herat, but
owing to the character of the people they
have little trade. The Afghans are mainly
agriculturists and graziers, and their
principal passion is fighting, which they
make both business and amusement
They are hardy race, brave, energetic
and Independent, and FESTIVE under con-
troll, particularly abhorring a foreign
yoke. The two tribes of Ghiljies and
Durannis. embrace the main body of the
population. The government is a mon
archy, its authority running mainly &C
cording TO the temper of the people. The
kingdom is divided into provinces, each
province governed by a royal officer who
collects the taxes and is charged with the
execution of the laws. Their religion is
Mohammedan.
About all we know of its history is
through British channels, In 1888 the
| country was ruled by three brothers, the
| oldest of whom was the famous Dost
Mohammed, who had his residence at
Cabool. He made war on Runjeet Singh,
| Punjaub prince under British protec-
| ton, and England declared war against
| him as pretext for setting a man of
their own on the Afghan throne. Ca
bool was captured in August, 1889, and
Dost Mohammed himself surrendered in
| October, 1910.
This conquest was followed by insur-
rection after instruction, and it re-
| quired an expenditure of over six mil
lion dollars year to maintain British
occupation of the country Finally a
successful revolt occurred in CabooI in
! 1912, which ended in the capitulation of
the English army, which was permitted
to leave the country, leaving behind all
its artillery and military stores. This
was in the month of November, and
owing to the intense cold and the guer-
lila attacks, only one Englishman out of
command of 4,500 reached India to
tell of the disaster. This was avenged
few months after by a force under
Gen. Pollock, Cabool being recaptured
in September, 1874, and Dost Moham-
med brought back and placed on the
throne. He showed his gratitude by
forming an alliance with the Sikhs and
renewing the war, but was badly beaten
in the battle of Guzerat, February q,
1S49, fed to India, but returned after
five years, took possession of Candahar,
and maintained himself so far as TO be
able to make a treaty, offensive and de-
fensive, with England. He died in
May, 1853, leaving his throne to his son.
Shere Ali, the present Amer. He was
recognized as the legitimate sovereign of
Afghanistan by Earl Mayo in 1863 He
is now supposed to be the fast friend of
Russia, which meantime has extended
its power over Turkistan and up to his
boundary on the north. For this reason
England has made war upon him again.
This short sketch of British dealings
with the Afghans would lead us to ex-
pect that the task of subjugation will
not be very easy one, as after they have
been apparently well whipped is Just
the time they begin to be really formid-
able-Kansas City Journal