The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-09-16
MAP OF THE INDo-AFaaAN FRONTIER.

These people are MahOmetaDs, and are led
by a religious fanatic known as the Mad
MulIah, z" who has been preaching holy war
and destruction to the infidels. The AfrldI
warriors are we'll armed with modern rifles,
and number, it is stated, about Go,OOO light
ing men They have been able to seize and
hold the two forts which guard the khyber
Pass and cut off the road into AfghanlStan
in this district. The results of this uprising
are very serious, and many complications are
possib.e before the matter is wound up. 1t
is necessary on the one hand, that for the
preservation of its prestige the Anglo-lndIan
Government should chastise the rebellious
tribesmen, but on the other hand, there are
not ONLY the Afridis to deal with but the
attitude of the Ameer of Afghanistan Is ex-
tremely doubtful. the agency of Russia Is an
unmeasured factor, and the situation IN India
itself is far from satisfactory.
The trouble over this boundary dates back
to 1884 During that year the British Home
Government was immersed IN serious do
nestle and foreign troubles. Ireland was IN
a state of practical revolt: an army OF 80, 900
men besides the constabulary, was stationed
there to preserve order and suppress an up
rising. constantly feared rs the result OF the
aoraorian agitation. The Government also
had a rebellion on its hands in Egypt, result
inc in a lonn line of disasters. eliminating in
the humiliation of the British forces under
Hicks the campaign against Arab Pasha the
unsuccessful expedition against khartOum
the sacrifice of Gordon; the abandonment OF
the Soudan, and complications with France
arising out of her jealousy at the British as
sumption of primary interest in Egypt
Russia. taking advantage of British en-
barrassment, began bold advance into Asia
to the south and east of the Caspian Sea.
great fleet of transports was built on the
Caspian. a military depot was established at
Michaelovsk and the Transcasplan road was
pushed on toward the OXus. The British
Government protested against the Russian
advance toward the Afghan frontier, and,
finally. about the close OF 1854, joint COM
mission was established to survey a bound
ary between Russian and Afghan territory.
Months were consumed i'll accomplishing
nothing, and, finally, at the request of Rus
STA. the commission was Withdrawn. In 1885
Russia was all the year busily engaged in
pushing troops southwark until it was
stated that force of no less than 220, 900
men of all arms had been concentrated south
of the Caucasus, and practically Threatened
India. The British Governments protests
were nltb tIlt
authorities had been requested to move troops
into this region to protect the native villages
in northern Afghanistan against marauders,
and when this was shown to be groundless
claim, Russia then presented the excuse that
she could not withraw her forces without loss
of prestige.
Russia having taken possession finally OF
| Herat in the heart of Afghanistan, the Brit
ish moved north force of some Is, 600 men
through Kandahar to oppose Russian aggres-
sion, and in May, 1856, the Anglo-Indian
army, coming face to face with an oyerwhelm-
ing force of Russians supported by Turcoman
| cavalry. suffered disastrous defeat and fell
back to kandahar, which, in turn, was ADAM
doned few days later, leaving the MuscoFites
planted firmly upon the very borders OF
India and practically III possession OF AfgNn-
stan.
While the diplomatic negotiations and
| military and naval preparations of Great
Britain for lie-and death struggle resulted
in the practical withdrawal of Russia from
Afghanistan still, the situation has never been
satisfactory from that day 10 this, nor have
| English statesmen breathed easily about the
northwestern frontier and the Vaccinations