The New York herald., 1878-11-22


present government and reply to the antiwar agti
tion Of the Afghan Committee. It's PRONUNCIATION is
equivalent to formal declaration OF a state OF war,
and the causes thereof.
GREAT BRITAIN STATES HER CASE.
Lord Cranbrook despatch is dated India Office. No
vcmber 49, and il addressed to the Governor General
of India in Council
The first paragraph acknowledges the receipt of let
ters and elerams from the 9th of August to the 81 OF
October reporting the reception of the Russian Mis-
sion at Cabu and the rejection OF the British En-
bassy.
The second paragraph recites that in order that no
misapprehension may exist regarding the general pol
icy of the British government toward ghanistan it is
deemed advisable to recaptula.e the leading features
of that policy and trace the OF events which led
to the present condition of affairs.
THE FRONTIER QUESTION.
PARAGRAPH Notwithstanding the differences of
opinion among eminent authorities regarding the
anethods to be followed in pursuing our frontier
policy, the consistent aim of the British government
during series Of years has been to establish its
northwestern border strong, friendly and inde-
pendent State with interests in unison with those
of the Indian government and ready to act in certain
eventualites as an auxiliary in the protection Of the
frontier from foreign intrigue or aggression.
PARAGRAPH 4.-After the transfer of the Indian ad-
minstraon to the Crown and the accession of Sherc
Ali, Lord Lawrence, upon whom deyoived the direc-
ton of the policy to be adopted III this state OF
affairs considered that the objects Of the British gov
ernment would bo best obtained by winning the
friendship and alliance of shers Ali and his people
by friendly recognition of the existing order OF
things and policy Of nonncrference. The outposts
OF Russia were then distant from the borders of AZ
ghanistan. and his lordship's government attached
no special importance to the probability and danger
OF the growth OF the former Power in the direction OF
india which they considered would in any case best be
restrained rendered innocuous by friendly under
standing on the subject between the English and Rus
sian cabinets
POLICY NON INTERVENTION.
PAnAGRAPH 5.-The views Of the homo government
OF that day, being in complete harmony with Lord
Lawrences policy OF nonintsrvention. were adhered
to throughout the civil war which followed Shere
Ali accession; but the final unaided of the
Ameer in regaining his throne in the autumn OF 1868
in changed the position of affairs. and.
in the opinion OF both Lord Lawrence and Her Ma
jesty's government, justified intervention in
His Highness favor. and the grant to him Of such
assistance in money and arms appeared conducive
to the maintenance Of his authority.
PARAGRAPH G-Lord Mayo. succeeding Lord Law
renee pursued c similar policy, recognizing Shere
Ali de jure well de facto ruler OF the country,
engaging to view with dspleasure any attempt
Of his rivals to disturb him. thus rendering the
Ameer's position at Cabul assured than any pre-
vious rulers.
nUssIA's RECOGNITION.
PARAGRAPH The advances of Russia in Central
Asia had not, to this period assumed dimensions such
to cause uneasness to the Indian government.
Lord Mayo agreed in the views of his predecessor
that the best for avertng interference in the
affairs of Afghanistan would be BY frank interchange
of views between the governments OF Her Majesty and
of the Car. Her Majestys government had inde
pendenty arrived at the same conclusion. and early
in 1869 initiated friendly negotiations at ST. Peters
burg which Terminated in very distinct understand
ing and in the recognition by the Cars government
OF the limits OF tho Ameers territories in complete
accord with the wishes OF Sherc Ali and tho British
government
sHERE AII's ALAIN.
PARAGRAPH S.--The policy OF his predecessors was
substantially followed by Lord Northbrook. Although
the rapid development of events in Central Asia was
gradually increasing the difficulty Of abstaining
from closer relations with the ruler Of Cabu the
ture of Khva by the forces Of the Car in the spring
Of 1s73 and the total subordnaton OF that khanate
to Russia caused Shere Ali considerable alarm and
led him to question the value of pledges with refer
ence TO Afghanistan which had been given by the
Car to England and communicated by England to
the Ameer Actuatcd by fears this His High
ness sent special envoy to Sinla In the summer Of
that year. charged with the duty Of expressing them
to the government of India.
british TEMPonrzISG
PARAGRAPH 9.-Finding that the object Of the Ameer
to ascertain definitely how far he might rely on
the help of the British government IL his territories
were threatened by Russia, Lord Ncrhbrook was pre-
pared him that under certain conditions the
government of India would assist him to rcpel un-
provoked aggression; bu; Her Majesty's government
at home did not share His Highness' apprehension,
aud the yiceroy ultimately informed tho Amccr that
the discussion OF the question would be best post
poned to a more convenient The effect Of
this announcement on His Highncss, although con-
ycycd in concilia.ory language, not favorable.
The policy which dictated 1t unintegiblc to
his mind, and he received II with feelings
OF chagrin and disappointment. His reply was
couchcd in terms Of il-disguisei sarcasm He took
no notice OF the viceroys proposal to deplte Brit
ish officer to examine &Ze northern frontier of AZ
ghanistan. He subsequently, refused permission to
Sir Douglas Forsyth to return from Kashgar to India
through Cabul. lie left untouched gift of money
lodged e his credit 10y the Indian government and
generally assumed ward il attitude OF sulen
serve
UNDER PRESENT MINISTRY.
PARAGRAPH 10.-Such The position Of affairs
when her Majesty's present advisers assumed Office
The maintenance Of Afgnanisiaa a strong, friendly
Power had. at all times, been the OBJ
ject Of British policy. The method adopted in
attaining that object had not me. with
the success that desirable. Its accompli shment
was, nevertheless, matter Of grave Importance, and
IL had now to DE considered with reference to the
rapid march of events in Turkistan. Her Majesty's
government could not view with indifference the
ind of tbn1.
ter o. an Asiatic prince whose dominions were
thereby brought within a steadily narrowing circle
between two great military empires, and although
immediate danger appeared to threaten British in
tcrcsts the frontier of Afghanisan the situation
in Central Asia had become sufficiently grave
TO suggest the necessity OF timely pre-
canton Her Maicsty's govcrnmen. considered
shat the first step necessary the improve
ment OF their relations with the Amecr himself