The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-15
The Ameer's Hostile Relatives.

New York Times.
Ayoub Khan appears likely to become once
more familiar figure in Afghan troubles for
Russian diplomacy may be relied upon to use him
ana any remote relatives of the deposed Ameer
to SOW among the Afghans the seeds of emnity
towards the English. AS for that matter ever
since the Russian and the Englshman began
cpheriug over the Afghan problem, nearly a
century ago. one of the duties as well
as diversions of the diplomates of these
two great powers has been to play
against another the relatives of
the reigning Ameer. Ayoub will be remem-
bered as the energetic leader who campaigned
against the British at Candahar three years ago,
but was defeated and ordered into exile from
which he seems likely now to be recalled by the
Russians AS a troublesome son of Shere Ali,
bent on aiding his brother Yakoob in capturing
the throne or making away with their stern
| father. Ayoub was once required to betake him
| self in hot haste to Persia, which has ever been
sort of Canadian asylum for filial cutthroats of
the royal blood of Afghans. AS for Yakoob he
was treacherously seized by his affectionate pa
| rent, lodged in dungeon, and subjected to such
| rigorous treatment that his mind became affect
| ed, and he maintained condition of compare
tive passivity for the remainder of his days. va
koob's offense was in rebeiing against his faith
| e.s implied if not expressed determination
| to pass him by and place a younger and more
| Yakoob rallied a force Of men and opened fight
| The English authorities were suspected of Sc
| crety encouraging the revolt, for Shere Ali was
| far from being their stanch friend AS has often
been the case with English intrigue in the East
| performance followed so tardily upon the heels
! of promise that Yakoob, growing weary of shad-
| ing his eyes and watching the horizon, dropped
his hand and turned his face toward the west
| He reached and crossed the Heri Rood in safety
returning, however, with Persian recruits and
| the incident of the dungeon.
His brother Ayoubs claim to the throne from
which their father was subsequently deposed by
the English, furnishes an excuse for participa-
tion in the present difficulties, and Russian
| counsel and assistance will not be lacking should
he have any doubts as to the course of procedure
to be followed But then these fellows seldom
have doubts, and never any scruples about any
thing
Shere Ali himself had bloody and adventur
Gus experience in establishing his right to the
throne, and once having secured the treasure he
was disposed TO bestOw it upon such one of his
offspring as best suited his savage mind. Nor
was he willing that any of the others should
question his choice. The example had been set
him by his llustrious father Dost Mohamed
Kahn, and he followed it with barbaric severity.
1t had so happened that he was born of mother
of noble family, and was fourth on the list of
sons recognized by the great Dost as his own.
Two older half brothers had mother ''of low
degree" while the third had been brought into
the world by "a favorite wife" Their claims
were set aside by the stern Ameer; they rebeled,
chased Shere Ali into Herat, and in time would
doubtless have cut his royal throat had they not
within a few months thereafter passed into the
mosem paradise yheir deaths curiously
enough being due. as history certiies, to natural
causes. ShereAli was reserved for the humila
tion of witnessing the present Ameer to succeed
to all his titles and privilegel
The head of this very interesting family of
barbarian bloods Dost Mohamed Khan, was
himself twentieth son, who underwent varie-
ty of rude experiences before his brothers and
half brothers were swept away and he ascended
the throne In his younger days he was
sweeper at sacred tomb; then, through the
favor of a brother, he had a place at court The
brothers eyes were pierced out with dagger by
the son of the Ameer, and then he was brutally
murdered line of rulers who had been kings
in Cabul a hundred years were cut short by
this act, and Dost by series of the same saw
age brutalties. was revenged, and in turn as
sumed the chair of state. Other Afghan scenes
tragic and revolving might be cited in the hsto-
ry of Dost and his descendants, though these
would seem to be sufficient to show that royalty
| In that fierce country has its drawbacks and is
likely to be ditched one day and find itself the
| next mounted on gorgeously caparisoned ele-
nhant