Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-19
BRITISH VIEW.
OPINION GENERAL THAT ENGLISH
ARMS WILL TRIUMPH.
MUCH DEPENDS ON TIE AMER.
The Home Guard are strongly In
cIined 10 PoopOoh the Idea of
Holy War-sentlment Through Eu-
rope.
Correspondence Of the Dispatch)

correspondence or the Ilspdtch.)
LONDON, September 9.--British opinion
regarding tho Indian rebellion Is to the
effect that eventually British arms must
triumph How long a task this will be,
no one pretends to say definitely. and it
Is also admitted that much bloodshed
must be ondered, but I'm the end the
Afridis even though they may be back
ed by the Ameer Of Afghanstan. must
retire and again live under the supremacy
OF the lion and the unicorn.
The British people are very slow in
forming an opinion. In fact, they are
as slow TO decide on a question like this
as they are quick to rise I'm defence Of
national hono-. Many people think Lord
Salisbury's colonial policy pcerile, but
investigation proves that this has been
simply another instance of that care and
thoughtfuiness which have characterized
that statesman's actions. 1t was be-
lieved that tho Indian rebellion would be
godsend TO tho Liberals. i'm that IL
would enable them TO put forth a rally
ing cry. which would draw many follow
ers from the circle about the Conserva-
tive standard, but now the situation is
entirely different
The general trend of thought seems
to be in the direction Of the position
OF the Ameer OF Afghanistan. That he
has been rufiied by the turn which mat
tiers have taken on the frontier is admit
ted. and this moro than all other facts
l.
lack brilliancy. one thing too, We must
admit, and that is that the policy most
recently adopted has been pursced in
direct defiance 10 the counsels and warn
ings Of high and experienced officials in
England. as well as in India.
This departure from old-school me-
thOds. even though in that cautious
fashion OF the Conservatives is not in
clined 10 be received with favor. and
is not in line with the prudent, sane,
and practical feeling of the Briton. which
IL as far removed from aggressive lingo
ism as is light from darkness.
In regard 10 the purely military as
pect OF the question IL is thought that
If the Amer OF Afghanistan enters ac-
lively on the scene England will have a
very formidable task before her. What
Is not whispered by our French friends.
but what is more than insinuated by
some experienced and competent author
ities, is. that IL the Ameer is waxing
aggressive he must have received as
surance that he can, at least. reckon on
the sympathy of a great European
Power which he must have sounded.
This. however. opens out a vista of
possibilities on which. In the absence Of
precise details, there is no need TO en-
large.
Looking at the matter calmly. and
from a distance" said an eminent Ger
man 10 lne the other day. II cannot see
why the Ameer should be false 20
England at this moment. What could
be his object? Does he not receive a
handsome subsidy from the Indian
Government? At the same time | must
tell you that II has been known In Der
IL. for at least two years that people
We're agitating to bring about a rising
OF the Mohammedan in Afghanistan
and India against England. The imme-
diate nstigator OF this agitation was no
less person than the Sultan of Turkey.
'There is positive evidence 10 this eff
feet, which was received in Berlin long
since, and / am quite sure that the
British Government was also in pos
session of similar information. Abdul
Hamid. angry with the English for the
support given TO the Armenians. was
determined 10 show that he possessed
power. az Caliph. TO do you harm. He
worked at this through Persia. We do
not understand your policy in Turkey
and We are quite sure that your diplo-
matic influence at Constantnople is
quite lost However. that is your
affair, not ours"
Perhaps" l suggested. Russian in
huenee has been at work, too. with the
Ameer. and the financial support he has
had from Calcutta will have been
promised. with good bonus. from St.
Petersburg"
NO" was the reply; II do not think
that Russias position just now in Cen
tral Asia would enable her to do so.
II she ever attacks you In India, or on
the Indian frontier. IL Will be 10 take
the country from you. but not TO waste
her strength In useless effort. The
danger, however, OF the present situa-
ton. we. here in Berlin. take TO be the
fact that the Mohammedans are join
Ing the others against you. which was
not tho case In previous troubles"
A very distinguished officer who has
held high military commands in India
and Afghanistan. and who still occu-
pies an eminent official position. ex-
pressed the opinion in conversation re-
Gently that. while 81 is advisable 10 be
prepared for emergencies. there Is no. |
thing very alarming in the recent news |
from India During the years he spent |
on tho Indian frontier no acquired an /
extensive knowledge OF the border
tribes and he is convinced that the dis
tufbances which have broken out almost |
simultaneously at three distinct points /
are really condolences. and are not the
result OF concerted action.
me chief factors In these outbreaks
are undoubtedly the pestiient fanatic
priests The attack on the Tochi coll
u'nh' which was tho starting point OF
me who.s difficulty. was comparative
Trivial Resistance on the part OF he
no'snt ana turbulent hillmen TO a small