New-York tribune., 1879-01-01
THE AFGHAN WAR.

With his usual deNtenty; moreover, Lord Bca-
cOnsicld has shifted the scene from Asia Minor 10
AfghanIstan. Russia. while expecting declaration
of war from Great Britain. not only made active
preparations TO engage in prvateering. but organ
ized an expedition in Turkestan that would tend to
excite alarm in Calcutta. Three columns were
sent ont from the frontier, but owing TO
the successful ssnc of the negotiations at Berlin,
they did not 90 very far into the interior. General
Koufmann, however, sent small Embassy TO Cabul
where II was cordially received by the Ameer, Shcrc
ALI who already alarmed Ly the British
patton of Quctta. Lord Lytton, who had dealt the
vernacular press a vigorous blow early in the
Spring by restricting its freedom. resolved To carry
matters with "a hgh hand IN Cabul. lie decided
TO send thlther an Embassy with formidable es-
COrt, and 10 demand that the EayOy should be
allowed to remain there permanently. On Scptcm-
ber 81 Shere Ais troops refused 10 allow thus En-
basSy to proceed through Khyher Pass. Fur
ther negotiations proved abortiye, and the
Ameer not sending reply to the Brit
ish uIiimatnm before the date specified,
an advance of the Indian troops was ordered. On
NOyember 2l three columns were in motion toward
Bolan, kOornm and khy bcr Passes The first blow
was struck successfully. The two man columns
have achieved signal victories, and collapse OF the
Amerrs arms Is imminent.
The policy of the Government in Afghanisan was
condemned not only by the Liberals. hut by men OF
wide experience in Indian affairs like Lord Law
renee bat war was declared before the sense OF
Parliament was ascertancd. Lord Beaconshcld
consented somewhat reluctantly to call Parliament
together early as December D. and to invite II
to share with him the responsibility of Gov
elIiment In this session tended December IL the
Liberals have not offered any serious resistance to
the policy of the Government Their illtOrtunc has
eliminated III the very year IN which Earl Russell,
then pluckicst leader III the long conflict for Re
form, has passed away They have i!iied to make
hcadway against the Government during period
Of commercial depression: when public confidence
was shaken by extraordinary financial collapses
like those of the Bank of Glasgow and the West of
when a.
working classes has been stimulated by unsuccess-
fuI sIikcS like that OF the Lancashire cotton opera
tives. The chances are that Lord icaconSlcll will
soon do what the Whips diSSuaded him from doing
last Surnmer-dissOye Parliament and appeal 10
the country.
1HE DOMINION AND COLONIES.
The appointment of the Marquis of LCrne Gov
crncr-Grncral of the Dominion of Canada has
caused great satisfaction both sides of the
He arrived at Halifax, accompanied by the Prln
cess Louise, on November %. and after being sworn
into Office made something like "A Royal progress
through Lower Canada to Montreal aud Ottawa.
He evidently intends To follow in .hc footsteps OF
Lord iutrrn, and from his close connection wlih
the Roya Family ,aS well rs from h3 personal quail
itics cannot fail To make popular ruler me opo-
stiOn crushed the ''oN"rn1rht ~ the elections III
Scpt .mberi obtaining a majority OF 30. new
Ministry. with Sir John \. Mcdonald AMI Dr. lup-
per az leading members, came INTO power as ady0-
Gates oi the Protective policy.
In Natal and the Iransyaal war Is expected with
the Iuus; and the British force IS regarded as Ut
trrIy INADEQUATE. The rebel tribes are maSSrd III
great strength under CctewayO King of the Iulus.
and the British force the frontier Is III danger ol
! being overwhelmed and the white population Oi
| bciuV massacrcd. The total white population OF
Natal does not exceed $4,000, and they are sur
rounded by 100000 Kaffirs. IL Cetewayo takes the
| field the outlying districts will have To be- aban-
doued and the cuonists will be forced 10 cUnccn-
! trate their forces and fight for tIcir lives ana
| property.
| In Australia political feeling has run high. Early
| IN the wear the Council i'm Victoria threw ont the
| PAYMENT of Members bill, and the Premier. Nr.
Berry, dismissed all the civil servants and threw
| the colony INTO into IndcsCrihablc confusion. The
cOlonists have been unable TO work their way ont
| of the deadlock although Mr.. Berry now proposes
to introduce reform bill by which the constitution
will bc modified 80 as to remove all obstacles to
| the harmonious working of the two houses