The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-12
The British Hold on Beloochistan.

The British Hold on eloochistan.
In many ways the chances Of lasting sue
cess for the English arms in the present
Afghan war are incomparably better than
they wore forty years ago. But the most
decisive advantage seems to lie in the occu-
patton Of Quetta, and the control OF that
wide region over which the Khan Of khclat
cxcrts n species OF authority. 1t was the
presence OF English garrlsons in this quar-
ter which first gave umbrage to SHERE ALI,
for the mastery of the Belooch border
plainly opened an easy road to the heart OF
his domiuions. Indeed. not a little light will
be thrown ON the source of the present
troubles by glance ut the circumstances
under which Quetta and the BO!an Pass
which 1t commands fell into British hands.
Unlike the Ameer Of Cabul, the Bclooch
ruler possesses very limited resources. and
the supremacy which he holds over the
tribal chiefs is nominal and prccsrious. The
two Sirdars, or heads of the highland and
lowland clans. long disputed the Khan's
right to enter into engagements ON their
behalf. Until very lately this state of
things was never properly recognized by
the Calcutta Government. and the result
was succession OF blunders followed by q
summary withdrawal ~ the British diplo-
matte agent in 1873. During the next three
years Beloochistan was left in complete
anarchy, but with the beginning Of 1876 n
fresh effort was made To compose the diff
cuties between the Khan and the Sirdars
One Of the Punjab officials Major SASDE-
MAN, was deputed for that purpose, and u
show Of reconciliation was effected; but the
returning envoy had hardly crossed the
frontier when hostilities were renewed, aud
Indian caravans once more cut OF from the
historic highway through the Bolan defe
Then 1t was that the British authorities de-
cidcd ON continued Intervention. and the OBJ
tanning Of permanent guarantees. On his
second mission Major SANDMAN had an
escort oi thousand soldiers.
BY the end of July in the same year the
Commissioner had met the Khan and his
rcbcllious Sirdars, and was able TO report
complete success. On his side, the suzerain
recognized the ancient privileges of the
great fcudatories, who on their part con-
coded to him the treaty making power. The
Buan Pass was to be forthwith opened; but
TO insure this provision tho troops forming
the escort wore 10 be permanently located in
suitable positions. Two points Of militaryas
well as political Importance were selected,
namely. Quetta and Mitr; and soon after
n treaty was concluded in u personal inter-
/ view between the Khan and the Niceroy. AN
annual subsidy Of ten thousand rupees was
guaranteed 20 the former, who. on his part,
conceded the supremacy of the British Gov
crnment and the right Of military occupa-
tion. On the first day Of 1877 seal was
placed ON the new compact by the appear
ance of the Khan and his followers at the
imperial assemblage held in Delhi.
1t was natural enough that these events
in f3eloochistan should excite suspicious in
Cabul as to the intentions Of the English. In
conference held at Peshawur in February,
1871, the Ameer made a peremptory demand
for the withdrawal OF the English troops
from Quetta, and mainly on this account
negotiations were broken OF. Intercourse
with Afghanistan was suspended and has
so remained up 10 the present hour Mean
while, however nothing was neglected Ia
secure the British hold on the Khan's terri
tories. The station al Quetta was we'll forti-
fed and fully garrisoned and perhaps the
best native regiment in the Indian army was
placed at Mitr. \ telegraph line was con
structcd in the Bolan Pass, and surveys for a
railroad were undertaken Large depots o
provisions ana munitions Of war were fixed
at convenient points on the road from India
and every precaution was taken to secure
the good will OF the Belooch population
The result Is II state OF things the precis,
opposite Of that which confronted the Brit
ish expedition of ls39-4O. Then the Boar
route was beyond comparison the most cir
cuitous, and beset with perils Of the graves
character. Now 1t Is the safest, and even il
certain sense the shortest because th'
continuous line Of British posts has here
been pushed to the very edge OF the Afghan
frontier. Whatever difficulties may attenC
the maintenance of communications through
the Khyber and Koorum Passes the column
advancing from the Beooch border neeC
apprehend no danger in the rear. There
fore 1t is that the occupation OF Quetta mus
be esteemed brilliant stroke Of diplomacy
It has not only facilitated the moyemen
against Candahar but it has rendered 70
the first time practicable protracted cam
paign i'm the Amaar's dOminionS