New-York tribune., 1878-11-22
LORD CRANBROONs DIsPATCH


Lord Cranbrook's dispatch is dated India Of
hce November = aud is addressed TO the GOvernOrG
era OF India Council The first paragraph acknowledges
tho receipt ~ letters and e.egrams from the 9th OF
August The 3d OF October reporting the reception OF
the Russian Mission az Cubul ald the rejection OF the
british Embusy. The second paragraph recites that
Ia order that misapprchenson may exist regarding
the general policy Of the British Government toward
AsAautan II Is deemed advisable 10 recapitulate the
leading features OF policy and trace the OF
events which led to the present condition OF affairs Tie
dispatch then says
Notwithstanding the differences opinion among
authorities regarding the methods 10 be followed
IN pursuing frontier policy the consistent aim OF e
British Government during series OF years has been TO
establish On northwestern border strong friendly,
and ndrpcnd,n state. with Interests IN unison with
those Of the Indian Government aud ady TO act in
tain eycutualtics, auxiliary IN The protection OF
the from foreign intrigue aggression. Afcr
the trans.cr Of Indian Administration TO the Crown,
ami the accession Of Sncre Ali. Lord Lawrence, upon
whom devolyrd the direction Of the policy 10
bo adopted In this new state OF Affairs,
considered that the objects oi the British
Government would be best obtained by winning the
friendship aud alliance OF -Lcrr All aud his people
by friendly recognition Of the existing order OF thing
aud roliry ~ nounjcrfereuce. The outp0sts Of Rus
-ia distant from the borders of Afghari,tan
and his Lorship- Government attached no special i'm
portance the proua y and danger OF the growth OF
considered would any case, best bc restrained or rem
drrri inHo,u1U4 uy friendly understanding on the sub
jc,t between th" English and Russian Cabinets.
tn. views of .hc Home Government ~ that day. being
Ia cnmycte harmony with Lord Llwrcncrs policy Of
nointcriercucc adhered 10 throughout the civil
war winch followed Shcre ANS accession; hut the final
unadad the Ameer In rcgaiuns his throne in
the Autumn Of SIS IN some measure changed the posi-
ton Of aas auG. IN the opinion OF both Lord Lawrence
and Her Macsty'S Government, justified some in,eryen-
ton IN His gnucs's 'ayor. and the Grant 10 him of such
assistance money and arms appeared conducive 10
the maintenance of his authority.
IuE AGREEMENT WITH EUSSIh.
Lord Mayo, c,cding Lord Lawrence. pursued a
similar policY, saizng sherc All lie jure we'll
IA e fncto ruler OF the country, engaging TO view with
severe dspc-nre any attempt OF his rivals to disturb
hun thus rendering the Amccr's position at C'hu more
assured than any previous ruler. Inc advance o,
Lnssia IN Central Asia lad not tai period, assumed
dlpcsoAs such as To cause uncHsnrss 10 the Indian
Government Lord Mayo agreed III the views Oh ms
predecessor that the best meahs Tor a\ertn. ihcI-
terence the affairs Of Aighanistan would bc by frank
lncrchange of views between We Government oi liet
Majesty and Of tho car. Her Majesty G3yrlnmcnt
had Independently arrived at TIE anne cunclson ana
early N 1869 initiated friendly ncgotl,'lQns ~ 81.
i, tersburs whIch terminated IN very disHcS hhdr
standing and IN the recognition ny thc ears GOVERN
ment OF Tie limits OF the An'ri t'rl'"7' ~ con, ,
pete accord with the wishes OF shero All ana the
British Government.
THE AMEER SEEKS BRITISH AID.
Finding that the object of the Amccr was TO ascertain
lrfultCB how Tar nc might rely oh Tie utip vi '' l'
i.h Government II his territories were threatened hy
Russia Lord Northbrook prepared 10 assure MN
Tint under certain conditions the Government OF India
yOud assist hun 10 Iepcl unproyOked aggression; put
ncr Mairsty's Government NJ home uu hot S!dru MS
lighncess apprehension ana th' N'I,r&2 I & ncsiioS
Informed the Amccr that the discussion OF me question
would be- best postponed To more coNcIi'it st'soi'
rnc effect Of this ANNOUNCEMENT on hs liiSnnes'' ~
tnOLgh conveyed In concilhtory liuEu'Et has ny
favorable The policy which dictated II was uhntcIligl
Bile hls mind, and he received y W,th 'tIhfa Vi SH
grin aud disappointment. HIS reply was c0nched IN
ierus of ldgniscd sarcasm lie TOOK no noce 81 ttS
yicerOys proposal 10 icpnto Brltlsh OnocI 10 cAe
the northern frontier OF Atghnnslan' iie suD'elacS
refused permission 10 sir D,ngias f0rsyh 20 t'n, M
from Kashgar 10 India through tabul. ne lrt Wn-
touched gift Of money lodged To MS cieIt py iie w
dian Government aud generally assumed toward an
attitude Of sulcn reserve. ~, =, ,..,.,
5u,h was the position OF affairs when Her Majesty
present advisers assumed office. The mantehdLcc3t 3t
hfghanistau az "a strong friendly Power hid at hIi
times been the object or Brltlsu pu'y. ih'
adopted in attaining that object had not rt Huh lhe
success that Wns desirable. Its accomplishment was,
nevertheless. matter oi grave importance hnn % ~ In
now 10 be considered with reference 10 The RAPID mafc
M events IN lurklsan Her Majesty Governments
could not View with indifference tue pIoDaoic t,
OF those gycuts upon the character oI lh AsiaIo J
wnu,e GrmIniuus were thereby brought W'lh q sfhu
ily narrowing circle between two great millhI9 I'm
pircs, and although no immediate danger alpcdlr" -,
threaten British interests the frontier Of Afgahslah
me situation IN Central Asia had become sunrlel.y
grave suggest the necessity OF timely piccauuH III
Macstys Government considered that ths nlst step
NECESSARY VA, the Improvement or then relations WIN
the AmcpF himself. 10 me "a te Aucel itlaluHS
with tine Russian GOVcnOrGcncfal OF IWhlstah
had OF late become more MUMMY h5 a, ','orcnI
cores spoudeuce which that onicil had cohlultnceu
with tnc CaDGl purDar IN ISL and wuth NO. q, Que ] ]iie
caused serious disgust 10 the Ameer was being carried
with increased activity whc MS hSuhes7 VI islIal
practice OF consulting TOE indian G9vernhet Us W ,o
rules 10 he sent To General knuitnanns cOminuulca
fOns mad Detn discontinued. nevertheless itcr MAJ
esty's Government willing to believe that SheIe
Ali II his Intentions were friendly, would DE Ieady 10
on them In advantageous 10 berself ana es-
entia for the protection OF their common interests
Her MsJestys Government deemed II prooaDie 'na' u