The New York herald., 1879-10-09
not become good friends. We are deter
mined to make them SO if we can.
At the Gates of Cabul.

AZ the Gates Oh CaDuls
General Roberts dash on Cabul promises
to be crowned with complete success. Our
cable dispatches published this morn
ing show that he has not only brought
gardan Pass, whore % portion was
threatened about the 1st inst. by the
Ghilzais, but has succeeded in obtaining a
victory over the tribes guarding the last
mountains that bar the way to, and is
now in full view of, Cabul. We may
expect, indeed, that his forces will oc-
cupy the Afghan capital in few
days. for the leaders of the rebellious
forces have already sent word to the Ameer,
who is with the Anglo-lndian forces, that
they are desirous of offering him submis-
sion and homage. The English victory
was gained at no great expenditure of
blood, the list of casualties amounting
to but seventy in all This fact
shows that the resistance must have been
very weak hearted, and that the Afghans
do not really possess much of that ''energy
of barharisln" for which the Tekkes and the
Znlus have SO recently distinguished
themselves. Nevertheless, General Roberts
''dash" is q most creditable performance.
He has with him, as near as can be judged,
three white regiments of infantry, six
native regiments of infantry, two regiments
of native cavalry and twenty-six guns.
From the Shutargardan Pass to Cabul
is distance of fifty-fve miles, which
can be made without impediment in thr ee
days forced marching. But with guns and
ammunition wagons and the long commits
sariat trains to be first dragged up from the
pass to the heights and then let down the
precipitous zigzags that constitute the
rugged descent into the Logur VAL
ley, ten days would not have been
too many to allow him to reach the position
from which his last dispatches are dated.
Yet he has accomplished the distance ap-
parently in little over five days. But with
the occupation of Cabul, an event which
may be announced at any moment, the
work of the Anglo-Indian expedition is by
no means over. The English military au-
thorities are apparently waking up to the
fact that the Russian expedition originally
directed against Merv has changed its
course to q more southwesterly direction,
its goal being presumably Herat and a
rumor is current in London that an
Anglo-Indian corps has been directed
to march on and to occupy Herat at the
earliest moment. AS Herat belongs to
Afghanistan. and the English will now take
possession temporarily possibly, porma-
nently probably, of the Ameer's dominions,
the occupation of the ''key to India" by
the Russians would undoubtedly lead to
serious complications. Whether England
would instantly declare war, however. in
case the Russians occupy the city, and as
our cable despatch says, London rumor
says will be done, is an open question.
Lord Beaconsfeld would think twice
before making declaration of war
against such strong Power as Rus
sia. 1t would take him a long time
to obtain peace with honor if such war
were commenced. But at present there is
no fear of collision, notwithstanding the
hot words of lie Nord and some Russian
journals. Russia has not committed herself;
she has not declared her intention of oc-
cupying Herat. and Merv will serve her
purposes just as well. Every movement
made by Russia recently in Gen.
trail Asia shows, first, that she has
no intention OF invading India, and
secondly, that she is far more desirous of
securing grand commercial route to China.
By the cession of Kuldja she has secured
from China very important commercial con-
cessions, and Merv will serve as way station
to the Celestial Empire just as we'll as
Herat. The plans which General Kauf-
mann doubtlessly entertained in 1873
of invading India were only to be
carried out in case England and
Russia clashed on the Turkish ques-
ton in Europe. Both Powers were at
considerable trouble ut that time to avoid
actual collision, and it is scarcely probable
the conflict will break out now about
the possession of Herat. 1t Is more
probable that every effort will be made by
the two Powers to bring about an under
standing respecting the division of Afghan.
istan, and if Russia permits England to
make the Hindoo Koosh her new scientific
frontier England may be willing to give
up Hcrat to the Russians.
Senator Conkling's Speech.
Mr.. Conkling spoke last evening to
large and applauding audience in the