Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-11-29
WHY ENGLAND GOES TO WAR.
Shere Ali Must Either be u Friend or an
Enemy---He Insults Her MAJESTY and
Must Take the Consequences.

of the British case was telegraphed from
London, Nov. 22nd: The dispatch pub
lished by the government from Lord
Cranbrook, secretary OF state for India,
to Lord Lytton, is IN Indictment Of the
frontier policy Of Gladstone. The adj
visers of the present government say
the consistent aim Of the British gov
eminent during II series OF years has
been TO establish on its northwestern
border strong friendly and indepen-
dent state, with interests in unison with
those Of the Indian government and
ready to act in certain cventualitles MS
an auxiliary in the protection Of
the frontier from foreign intrigue
or aggression. IL was considered
that the objects Of the British govern
ment would be best obtained by winning
friendship and alliance with Sincere Ali
and his people by friendly recognition
Of the existing order Of things, and
policy Of non-interfcrcnce with the out
posts Of Russia, which were then dis
tant from the borders Of Afghanistan,
and his lordship's government attached
no special importance TO the probablli-
ty and danger Of the growth of the for
mer power in the direction of India,
which they considered could in any
case best be restrained bya friendly un-
derstanding on the subject between
English and Russian cabinets. Early
in 1869 frierdly negotiations were in
vited Mt st. Petersburg, which terminal
cd in very distinct understanding and
recognition, by the czar's government,
OF the limits Of the ameer's territories,
in complete accord with the wishes of
Sincere Ali and the British government.
The capture Of Khiva by the forces
Of the car IN the spring Of 1873, and
the total subordination that Kharat
brought to Russia, caused Sheere Ali
considerable alarm, and led him to
question the value of pledges with ref
ercnce to Afghanistan, which had been
given by the car to England, and com
muncated by England TO the ameer.
lord Northbrook was prepared to as
sure the ameer that under certain con-
dltlons the governm Of India would
assist him 70 repel unproyoked aggres-
sions, but her mnjestys government ut
home did not share his highness' appre-
hension, md tho viceroy ultimately in
formed the ameer that the discussion of
the question would be best postponed
to u more convenient season. Tho ef-
feet of this announcement on his high
ness, although conveyed in conciliatory
language, was not favorable. The pol
icy which dictated it was unintelligibie
to his mind, and he received it with
feelings Of chagrin and disappointment.
His reply was couched in terms of un
disguised sarcasm. lie took no notice
of the yiceroy's proposal to dispatch il
British officer to examine the northern
frontier Of Aghanistan. lie suisse
quontly refused permission to Sir Doug
las Forsythe To return from Pashgar to
lndia through Cnbul. Ito left untouch-
cd gift Of money lodged to his credit
by the Indian government, and gcner-
ally assumed towards il M attitude Of
sulen reserve Such was the position
of affairs when her mnjcsty's present
advisers assumed Office. The mnntc- |
nance Of Afghanistan aa u strong friend |
had ut all times been the object OF the
British policy. The method adopted III
obtaining that object had not met with |
the success that was desirable. Its nc
NlhN llNNNlblitltNN ~ Iuitb-
ter of grave importance, and II had
now to be considered with reference
TO the rapid march Of events
in Turkcstan Her mnjesty's |
government could not view with indif- |
ference the probable influence of those
events upon the character of an Asatic
prince whose dominions were thereby
brought within II steadily-narrowing
circle between two great military cm-
pres; and although no immediate dam
age appeared to threaten, British inter
osts on the frontier Of Afghanistan and
iii central Asia Ind become suli- |
gently grave TO suggest the necessity
Of timely precaution. Her Majcsty's I
government considered that the first
stop necessary was the improvement |
Of their relations with amoer himself |
Consequently when Lord Lytton was |
sent 10 India he was instructed to offer
tho ameer the protection lie previously |
solicited, namely substantial pecunary
aid, tho recognition of his dynasty and |
the pledge Of material support against
mprOvokcd foreign aggression, condi- |
tlonally, upon the amccr allowing Brit |
lsh agents 10 have access to positions
IN his territory, except Cabul. where
they could acquire trustworthy intcll-
gencc Of the events likely TO threaten
the tranquility and independence of
Aighanistan, Such access was neccs
sary rs substantial proof of the unity
Of the ameers interest with Great Brit
ain. The ahortivc ending or tho COM
mission of Col Sir Lewis Pclly, is
then narrated, and the facts
nrc brought cut that tho offers Is the
ameor were exceedingly liberal and the
demands upon him not oppressive, but