The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-08-16
Afghanistan and Fenian1sm.

1t is apparent from the recent proceedings
in Parliament that the opposition of con-
siderable party in England to the further
prosecution of the war in AfghaEistan is
having an effect upon the Government; and
taken in connection with another event lust
now assuming Importance, has placed Mr..
Gladstone's administration in a difficult nosi
ton. There is remarkable coincidence
between the present effort to conquer At
ghanistan and the history of the struggle in
1S39-42. The latter period was marked by
treachery and savage ferocity that form one
OF the most revolving chapters in human
history; both have been distinguished bv
English incompetency and vain glorious
assertion. Under the pretext that Russia
aspired to the control of Afghanistan and
would thus threaten her Indian possessions.
England entered upon war of subiugation.
following the line of operations that had
given her the dominion of India interfering
first with the disputes of petty princes, and
finally attempting TO place ON the throne by
British bayonets a chief who was hated by
spected Dost Muhammed. But the British
found brave, ingenious, warlike and
treacherous nation to deal with, who were
more than their match in military skill. At
home falsehoOd and deceit were used to
silence the complaints of the opposition, and
the commanders in the distant field were
often left unsupported, if not treated with
cowardice; and the history of these four
years was one of horrible details.
The present effort has been quite as fu-
tile If not as disastrous. 1t has cost millions
OF treasure, and blood enough. The recent
overwhelming defeat of Gen. Burrows by
Akoob. .Khan-an utter rout more terrible
than our first Bull Run-has reused an in
dignant protest in England which has caused
the administration to hesitate: and it looks
now as if the ministry were seeking some
way to abandon the contest without the
sacrifice of honor. The future of Afghanls
tan under British arms is a grave question
standing army of fifty thousand men
could not repress this turbulent people,: the
cost of government would be enormous
commercially the varied and valuable pro-
ducts of the country will naturally seek, if
the country is left to itself, amarket through
British ports; and more, people brave and
hardy enough to resist British power will be
equally ready to resist Russian dominion.
and keep the highway to India free from
danger to British interests. The British
spirit of conquest in that direction ought to
cease: the Hindu Kush is the natural
boundary of India on the northwest.
The other event we have referred to as
increasing the difficulty of the Gladstone
administration is the Irish question: or
more particularly Fenianism, which has sud
denly come to the front again, but according
10 recent accounts, in more effective form
than before; with a better organization,
more powerful and determined in its COM
position and under its present programme
OF operations more likely to succeed than
any previous movement. 1t has "a reliable
membership in England, SEQ tland and Ire
land, at present of 1850 men: arms and
ammunition are reported to be abundant
and easily obtained; and money has been
liberally contributed. A correspondent of
the New York Herald who is thoroughly
acquainted with the organization, writes
that the obj ct of the Brotherhood now is.
and will be for some time to come, to organ
ize, arm and finally to discipline from eighty
thousand to one hundred thousand men in
Ireland, and to pick from the English and
Scotch organizations from three thousand
to four thousand of the most determined
men for action there, whensthe proper mo-
ment arrives. As soon as the organization
is completed and has approached the per-
fection which is desired and has sufficient
funds on hand, the organization will become
purely military. The correspondent adds,
mysteriously: ''The organization in it's
changed form will simply await events"
ltlis said that the reorganized Fenians
have been prepared to act for some lime.
The fall of the Beaconsfield government and
the rise OF Gladstone gave hope to the Irish
people OF remedy of their wrongs, for the
Irish question, it will be remembered, en-
tered into that canvass. But the Gladstone
ministry has disappointed them. Although
Fenianism and the Land League are not
harmonious organizations, the rejection of
the Irish bill in the House of Lords will have
an effect upon Fenianism, because it is
rejection of concession to Irish demands.
lnsurrection in Ireland at this time would
lind England in critical condition. bur-
dened as she is with an unpopular and ex-
haustive war in Afghanistan and social
questions of an unusually grave nature at
home.