The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-29
THE POLICY OF WAITING.
The Part Played by Time in the Tactics of
EDgiand's Premier.

The Part Played by Time in the Tactics of
Epgiand's Premier.
Cable Special.
From the very beginning of the Afghan mud
die it has been noticed that Mr.. Gladstone has
always had some very good reason at hand why
England should wait. For many months it was
because General Zelenoi, the Russian boundary
commissioner. had not yet met Sir Peter Lums-
den. The Russians advanced in force from
Sarakhs into the disputed territory and English
men grew impatient, but they were told that
nothing could be decided until after the durbar
between Abdurrahman and Earl Dufferin. Be-
fore the durbar was concluded General Komaroff
slew some hundreds of England's Afghan allies
and seized Penjdeh. The British became furious.
but were told to wait until the official reports
were received. When Komaroff reported that
the Afghans were the aggressors his govern
ment loaded him with honors and the British
government said: Let US wait and see what
Sir Peter Lumsden says about it." Sir Peter
Lurnsden said fatty that Komaroffs report
was q pack OF lies, and the people again
became very hot in the collar. Mr.. Gladstone
then proposed that an International commission
of experts should sft the contradictory reports,
and that England should, of course, await the
result. The mixed commission was agreed to
by Russia, although without the slightest hint
that she would consider herself bound to abide
by its decision, and this projected debating club
on the frontier given the pleasing title of an
Arbitration of the Penjdeh Affair." In the
meantime Russia holds Penjdeh, Tulfikar, and
dozen other points in the disputed zone, and
undisguisedly reaching out for Herat The
iritish public must be luIled again, and it is
Old to wait until budding diplomat can bring
tispatch box :, 600 miles from Sir Peter Lumsden
20 Earl Granville. The result of all these delays
has been precisely what Mr.. Gladstone has cal
culated it would be- 1t is just twenty days since
the massacre on the Kooshk and the capture of
Penldeh became known In London. The man
that should have suggested arbitration then
would have been moobed on the streets.
The very least that would be heard
Of in the way of reparation was that Russia
should recall komaroff in disgrace and surrender
Penjdei otherwise there must be declaration
of war within twenty four hours. During the
weeks that have elapsed since then there has
been nothing to change the situation except that
Russia has glorihed Komaroff instead of cashier
ing him. But the softening touch of time has
done wonders, as Gladstone knew IL would. Earl
Duffcrin has decided that 'Penideh is not worth
fighting about The Jingo Times has admitted
that much of what Russia demands might be
conceded without harm" The steady advance
of Russia upon Herat is regarded with apathy,
and the rumor of another Russo Afghan battle
excites only feeble ripple of interest tits I'M
denabIe that Mr.. Gladstone believes that Eng
lands only chance of peace lies in gaining time.
The Preraier's constant dream just now and his
highest present ambition is to retire in blaze
of glory after having finally and peacefully set
tied the dreaded Central Asian question He
c0nffded this ambition 10 a close personal friend
few days ago, and he added: sit is this alone
that enables me to bear the ieers of She Tories
and the suspicion and apathy of the Wings