The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-08-19
THE AFGHAN COMPLICATIONS.
The lntriEues that Lea to the Late
British Disaster at Candahar

The lntriEues that Lea to the Late
British Disaster at Candahar.
One of the last acts of Lord Lvtton as
V1ceroy of India was the recognition of
Shere Ali, Wall Of Candahar, as an in
dependent ruler. This decision was
carried out on April 2, before the news
of the early elections foreshadowed the
return of the liberals to power. The
peaceablc attitude of the people had
increased the long standing animosity
between them and the northern tribes,
and brought down on them violent re-
proaches from Ghuznee and Herat.
whence no efforts were spared to stir
the Duranis into revolt. The failure of
these efforts was due in a great measure
to Shere Ali, but mainly to the conyic-
ton Of the Duranis that they would
not be abandoned to their fate AS they
felt themselves abandoned after the
treaty of Gundamak. Until the citv
was evacuated, on the very dav of the
Cabul massacre, the people refused to
believe that the British army was really
leaving it. No secret had been made
of the intention of the C;,bul govern
ment to evade, as far as possible. the
terms of the amnesty clause of the
treaty, and all who had not actively re-
sisted the English were held by va
koob Khan as enemies, to restore
Candahar to the supremeacy of Cabul
was considered by Lord Lytton out of
the question, and he accordingly crea-
ated a new state with Shere Ali as it's
ruler. The material prosperity of the
city was promoted by this act, and be-
came subject of envy to the people of
Herat, naturally the most industrious
and peace-loving in Afghanistan. The
value of the land within a dozen miles
of the city has more than doubled in
the last nine months, while the customs
receipts, in spite of the reduction of
the duty on foreign goods from - to )
per cent, rose from $4,000 to $4,000
rupees per month. Shere Ali, however.
was mere creature of the British, and
could not stand alone The advance of
Ayoob Khan from Herat could not
be met by the new sovereign without
assistance from the invaders who had
put him on the throne A brigade was
sent to his assistance, reserve division
was ordered from Bombay to keep the
peace at Candahar, and the terrible
disaster to the British column described
in the cable dispatches were precipitat-
ed.
On July II General Burrows. with
his brigade, was at Girishk, on the
Helmund see map), with abundant
supplies. The Wall, Shere Ali, with
his force, was about twenty-eight miles
northeast of Girishk, awaiting the adj
vance of the Heratees. On July II the
old cabul regiment, the Wallis infantry,
mutinied on being ordered to cross the
river to the east side. They seized the
guns and carried:the rest of the regulars
with them. The cavalry remained with
the Wall. The mutineers, who march
ed up the west bank, were followed by
force of British cavalry and artillery
and small body ofinfantry. General
Burrows force crossed the river Hell
mund, and having overtaken them, an
engagement ensued in which the des-
erters were routed and dispersed with
the loss Of 200 men. The guns and
baggage were recovered. The Wall. at
the time the nlutiny occurred. was en-
deaVoring to execute a retrograde move
ment in the direction of Girishk.
AyOob Khan at that time was report
ed two marches distant. This chief is
the full brother of Yakoob Khan. who
was recognized by Lord Lytton as
Amecr of Cabul, and subsequently de-
posed and made Il prisoner of war.
Ayoob is now about 20 years of age.
In 1874, when Yakoob visited Cabul I'm
der a safe-conduct from his father
Shere Ali mot the present Wall, but
the former Ameer), Ayoob was appoint
ed Governor of Herat during his broth
er's absence. After Shere Ali arrested
Yakoob, he took measures to reassert
his authority at Herat, and Yakoob
was compelled to take refuge in Persian
territory From the spring of 1875 to
the winter of 1878 Ayoob was in exile
IN khorasan, occasionally visiting
lsheron. After this long exile he reap
peared at Her:at at the moment that
Shere Ali was preparing for flight from
Cabul The release Of Yakoob from
confinement was the signal for the re-
turn of Ayoob to his old governm EFT.
The governor appointed by Shere Ali
was quietly dispossessed of his authori-
ty, and without any bloodshed or dis
turbance Ayoob became de facto ruler
of Herat. His end was doubtless thus
easily accomplished by the aid of the
Shah's money, and by that agency
alone. The Persian governor of Kho-
rasan appears to have indirectly assist
ed in the furtherance of his project by
making a military demonstration on
the frontier. Ayoob turned his mo-
mentary success to good account, and
having once gained foothold within
the walls Of Herat did not rest content
with his position until he had upset
every rival authority. At the close of
the year he was imprisoned in the