New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-05


fed TO Herat and Abdur Rahman and Aim oc
cupied Candahar Now the British recognized
Afzul as Amer But the latter was near to
death Shere Ali, aided by the treacherous Gov
ernor Of Balkh, again menaced Cabul Ablur
Rahman met him in the Panjsir Pass, and a
third time routed him. then returned to Cabul
just in time to see Afzu die and Aim seize the
throne. Abdur Rahman was disappointed but
loyal, and performed prodigies Of valor in trying
to maintain the unworthy Aims rule. 1t was
in vain. Shere Ali was soon victorious. Aim
took to flight, and Abdur Rahman. going first
to Meshed, thence to Khiva and BCkhara, found
an asylum at Samarcand and a pension from the
Russian Government.
FROM EMILE TO A THRONE
The role Of an exile was not to his taste but
he played it well. knowing money would be
needed to regain his kingdom. he lived frugay,
saving more than half of his pension He took
good care Of his health, made friends among all
who might be useful, and bided his time. He
had to wait for ten weary years, until he
thir;y-six Then shere Ali died, and was sue
ceeded by Yakoob, who seemed a friend Of the
British. while Abdur Rahman was deemed
prOtGge OF Russia But the murder Of Cava-
gnari quickly followed, and Yakoob was deposed.
man. Russia gave him leave to return to AZ
Shanistan, gave him money and arms, too think
ing if he became Amer he would be vassal Of
the Car. Lord Lytton. then Niceroy Of India.
thereupon did a good bit OF work. for which he
has perhaps never received full credit. He per
ceiyed that Abdur Rahman was the only pos
sible ruler of Afghanistan, that he was under
Russian influence. that If the British disap-
prOVed his accession he would make Afghan
istan an ally of Russia and that If they forcibly
opposed his accession there would be n most
serious war, perhaps with Russia herself. So,
with rare prescience, he directed the British
agent at Cabul TO welcome Abdur Rahman and
to recognize him Ameer. The result was
that Abdur Rahman at once put himself on
amicabie terms with the British. He would not
turn against Russia, but he desired to dwell be-
tween the two great Powers in entire friendship
with both The blunder in Lord Lytton'5 work
was the attempt to divide Afshanistan, and TO
retain Candahar and the south as British terri
tory. That blunder was atoned for at some COST
and Abdur Hahman became Amer OF all AZ
ghanistan.
STRONG MAN ON THE THRONE.
With the object of his ambition within ms
grasp. Abdur Rahman acted wisely. Dtce.uu!
he was. no doubt. oriental diplomacy Is Il" more
truthful! ;Lan that of the West has often been'
He alternately coquetted with England ana
Russia, ard succeeded in keeping the GooG"""
Of to,h lie strove to annex 10 his realm '"H-
Gus minor States adjoining, in not al OF Whl'h
efforts h., was successful More especially he
consolidated his own empire. making the poo
,lo IN roaliz, that il was one and indvs!bl".
that there was - be no more thought or SOW
eraignty at Candahar or Hcrat, but that the
Lord of Cabul was to lie supreme over all. lie
improved the internal administration Of the en-
pire greatly. personally investigating and re-
forming every department. Seldom has the
world seen a underwriting. more rnethodlcal
sovereign than he His army. too. he enureE
remodcled. according TO approved European
fashion In brief, his earlier pro"ess IN hH're
was fully cqualled by his astutcncss a. dlpio-
mat and his thOrOuGhncss and AFFINITY AZ an ad-
ministrator. Steadily his foreign policy inclined
more and more 10 the British side lie fecoE-
nizod the fact that Russia had an eye on lnda'
and on India 10y way Of Afghanstan. Ihere-
fore. he argued. for him to have any alliance or
close friendship with Russia would surely be 10
offend Great Britain and provoke that Power 10
conoucr and occupy Afehanistan in sclf-d~fence.
And if he sided with Russia. and Russia won
the battle and invaded India it would surely
take possession Of AfGhanistan on the way.
The only safe course. therefore. was 70 he faith
ful to the British, and trust them To respect the
independence IF his realm. That course h.
adopted. and has consistently maintained IL for
many years. II cost him some loss in the PenJ-
Deb affair. in which case he perhaps had cause
to complain that the British did not support
him with as much energy as they should.
Nevertheless he accepted the results and the
new northern boundary Of his empire in good
faith. and kept his understanding with the
British Government unimpaired.