The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-08


LONDON, June Gall questions of politics and
home affairs have been suddenly eclipsed by the
startling report from Persia of the assassination
of Abdurrahman, Ameer of Afghanistan The
intensity of the excitement which has been
caused by this report can only be understood by
realizing the dire consequences to England's en-
pire in the East that such tragedy at such a
crisis must produce. If Abdurrahman is dead
the wall Of India has fallen The diplomatic
breastwork laboriously built up by England
during the past six months was a fimsy enough
structure at the best; but, backed by the senti
ment of Europe as to the sacredness of treaties,
it might have long restrained the Russian bear.
The death of Abdurrahman would knock it over
like house of cards No one doubts that Rus
STA would promptly seize Herat and perhaps
Cabul, on the plea that Afghanistan was in a
state of anarchy. With the nearest British
troops four thousand miles away and the
Afghan army honeycombed with Russian sen
timent, there is no material obstacle to her
advance, and with the lapse of all treaties made
with Abdurrahman all moral obstacles would
disappear. Before Europe could recover from
its surprise Ayoub Khan could be seated on the
throne of Cabul and bound hand and foot with
pledges, willingly enough given, which would
make him the most obedient vassal of Russia.
The excitement is intensified by suspense.
No one can authoritatively deny the report.
Assassination is as much part of Asiatic di-
plomacy as are cajolery and brides. At the
same time it cannot yet be definitely confirmed.
The government is as ignorant as the public, and
al hov hoap
flashed this afternoon in every direction asking
for confirmation or denial of the report Replies
have thus far been received from Bombay and
Teheran stating that the report had not reached
those points. The British agent at Meshed has
sent special couriers post haste to Cabul to in
quire as to the truth of the rumor, and their re-
port may be the first that can be deemed trust
worthy.
From ST. Petersburg Sir Edward Thornton,
British minister, telegraphs that the report Is
current. but is apparently based only on
vague paragraph in a second-rate newspaper.
This statement has given the cue to the govern
ment, and the rulnor is, for the present at least
officially discredited. The fact remains how
ever, that the report is by no means impossible,
and the recent progress of Russo Afghan
intrigues affords warrant for the gravest anx.
iety.
1t is now known that many of the Ameer's
most prominent chiefs and advisers earnestly
opposed his visit to India last spring. Cherish
ing the memories of 1878, they believed that an
alliance with Russia gave the only promise
of that vengeance upon England for which
they had, and still have. desire. During
the Ameer's absence there were persistent ru-
mors, both in India and in Russia, of rebellion
being organized ut Cabul. At the
grand durbar, at Rawul Pindee, Lord Dufferln
alluded to the rumors and sought to get the
Ameer's real opinion of their truth. Adurrah-
man smiled and ridlculed the reports. contnu
ing to assure the Viceroy of the fealty of the
Afghan chiefs, first to their Ameer and secondly
to England But the durbar officials noticed
that the Ameer soon afterward sent several of
his most trusted adherents back to Cabul.
Once persuaded of the impossi5ility of buying
the Ameer, it is certain that Russia would con-
spre for his overthrow. 1t is also notorious that
Russia has been spending money lavishly
wherever it could be used to corrupt the Afghan
chieftains, to make them contributve
blind to Russia's purposes Experts in Afghan
matters were confident that Abdurrahman could
crush any internal rebellion, however formidable,
unless it were backed by the active support of
Russia, but murder is different matter.