The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-10-12
Russia and India

The following report, If true, and We have not
seen any confirmation Of it, forsshadows impoT-
tant events IN the not distant future. Whenever
England and Russia take up arms. aud that
time may be sooner than we anticipate, the trial
Of Conclusions viii be fought out in India, where
those two nations are Tow 50 closely approach
ing each other.
The Calcutta correspondent Of the IlBses, re
Gently, says " \ rather sinister rumor OF doubt
full authority, though transmitted through official
channels, reports that the Amer Of Cabul Is
masging troops II Candahar. This may possibly
mean q menace to Persis rather than q hostile
movement against US, as there Is no doubt that
the Ameer is actuated with an equally hostile
feeling against Persia as against England. in con-
sequence Of the result Of arbltration, according
to the terms Of which the province Of Seistan was
awarded 20 Persia. Russian ENJOYS are represent
ed as constantly passing TO and from Cabul, be-
ing latteTly, it IS said, treated with much con-
sideration. There can be but little doubt that
at the present time Russian influence Is paramount
in Afghanistan. The Amer makes no attempt
10 conceal his eETnity 10 England. After having
received a quarter Of O million sterling of English
money, over SO, 900 rifles and other firearms, and
u guns, he last year publicly proclaimed q reli-
gious war against the Indian Government, and
was only prevented carrying the menace into
effect by the determined attitude of Government.
The British Power is of course perfectly able 10
protect itself against any aggressive movement by
the Ameer, and, indeed, If necessary, 20 conquer
and occupy his territory, but the special signif-
canoe of his hostile attitude lies in this fact, that
hitherto in considering the possibility Of a Rus.
sian invasion Of India we have been accustomed
to look upon Afghanistan as an all but invincible
barrier between English territory and Russian ag-
erosion, whereas now for military purposes that
barrier has ceased TO exist. The Russians having
the Amer as an eager ally, the interval of 500
miles is practically eliminated, and the Russian
military power becomes at once with
the British power, and an easy avenue is straight
way opened for the former to British India,
which can be further improved by Russian in
trigue and Russian money
In addition to the above, the following tele-
grams give later and more concise particulars as
to the present position of affairs in that direction.
1t certainly looks as If trouble is brewing:
LONDON, September 23d.-A Bombay dispatch
reports that a special meeting of the Viceroy's
council has been held at Simla. General Roberts,
commandment of the frontier forces, has started
for Peshauer with secret orders. A large force
is ordered to be in readiness on the frontier,
where 1000 men are already massed. Indian
newspapers universally demand an apology from
the Ameer, or the occupation of Afghanistan.
The feeling among Europeans is warlike.
The Times, in a leading article, says The
reckoning will be with the Ameer alone. Moth
ing can probably be done in the way of military
operations until Spring. We can wait, and it
will suit us best, in every way, to give our dis
courteous neighbOr an opportunity for reconsid-
eration.'
The Cabinet will Immediately assemble to
discuss the Afghanistan affair.
LONDON, Sept. 25th.-A dispatch from Simla
says Gholam Hussein Khan, who went to Cabul
with the Viceroy's letter, has been recalled.
The force under General Roberts has been dis
patched to Keoram Valley. A column number
ing SIX thousand men has been ordered at
Mooltan. and a thousand go to Quota. Actual
military preparations are making at Rawul
Pindee.