Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings about Afghanistan [‎49v] (100/312)

" The London Times is perfeotly mistaken in
speaking of a Eusso-Afghan alliance, or attributing
to Russian influence the Ameer's refusal to receive
the English Embassy. The English Government
have to think themselves of their high-handed
practices, which have made the Ameer suspicious.
England's continued intrigues have at last resulted
in making the potent Shere Ali her open enemy.
The Russian officers despatched to Shere Ali from
time to time were never commissioned to set
Afghanistan against England. Their only object
was to promote friendship and amity and develope
commerce. Among other proposals of the like
nature they mentioned the plan of a railway
between Central Asia and Afghanistan, which
very favourably received by the Ameer.
Ameer never had any injury to sustain nor th
to endure from Russia ; and if Russian miss
appeared at his Court, their suite was too sma
inspire fear. But English conquest and gres
territory, as displayed in Beloochistan and
forced under the most futile pretext at the co
the petty Princes of the region, had long set S
Ali thinking as to his own possible fate. Adi
this the mischievous attempts of the English t
terfere in the domestic concerns of Afghanistan
the numerous escort that was to have accompa
their Embassy, and Shere All's conduct neec
further explanation. This escort being far
numerous for friendly purposes, it was natu
concluded at Cabul that General Chamber!
companions were only the van of a force ord
to occupy the Ameerate. Hence Shere Ali
fully entitled to shut his door against a <
which, contrary to the law of nations, was to
invaded his country on the pretext of a p
mission. In any circumstances, England, acti:
her usual rough and offensive style, would
have discovered a plea for declaring war ag
the Ameer. But whatever may befall, Russia
conclude no alliance with Afghanistan. Onl;
England supplied Turkey with arms and ami
tion in the last Eastern war, so Russia will t
no obstacles in the way of Russian foreign tr
who may wish to sell rifles or cannons t
Afghans. Russia will do nothing against Eng
unless, indeed, she should be attacked by Eng
when energetic reprisals may be expected.
Russo-Afghan alliance ia nothing but an En
fable designedly invented to serve ulterior
poses."
The tone of this letter reflects the languac
the Russian Press. A noble-minded and
pendent native resisting rapacious England,
looking for sympathy to generous Russia, t
civilizing philanthropy ia fostering peace and
gress on his northern frontiers—such is the
mate Russian journals profess to be taking o:
situation.
PARIS, Sept,
Shere Ali still attracts little attention froi
French Press. The Temps, which is, of cours
exception to this indifference, thinks it cann
doubted that the Abyssinian expedition is
repeated in Central Asia. The English mu
deavour to place some one more trustworthy t
throne of Cabul. But the attitude of En
towards Russia is the embarrassing side o
question. The latter country is to blame for
of a young wife, who induced him to select her son in his
boyhood as his heir. The Indian Government would
have preferred the claim of Yakoob, and it declined
to guarantee the succession to the young A bdo OLAH.
Another cause of dispute was furnished by questions
of money. Lord L aweencb reluctantly granted a
subsidy to the A meer, which was continued by Lord
M ayo ; but, on the refusal of S here A li to maintain
diplomatic relations with the Indian Crovernment, the
grant has since been withdrawn. Lord N orthbrook
avoided, as far as possible, all interference in Afghan
affairs ; but the steady and rapid advance of Russian con
quest, coinciding with the antagonism between England
and Russia in European politics, caused much uneasiness
to Indian soldiers and statesmen. The occupation of
Quettah, which was intended as a counter-move, has greatly
aggravated the hostile feelings of the A meer, though he
may now r perhaps find that he would have done well to
profit by the warning. By inviting a Russian Envoy to
his capital S here A li offered a defiance to the Indian
Government, which has now been emphatically renewed.
The approach of winter will perhaps render impossible
an immediate advance on Cabnl, though troops are being
concentrated at different points on the frontier, and
Quettah will be at once strongly reinforced. There is
little ground for hoping that the necessity of war can be
avoided. There would be no advantage in negotiating
with Russia, which will gladly witness the expenditure of
English resources in a struggle that will entail no sacri
fice on herself. There is little satisfaction in the exposure
of the shallowness of numerous politicians who have inces
santly asserted that the progress of Russia in Central
Asia threatened no danger to England or to India. Lord
B eaconsfield himself lately repeated the common form
that there was room in Asia for England and Russia ; nor
indeed could the proposition be disputed, if both Powers
were permanently contented with their respective shares.
Of two rival neighbours, the more aggressive contends at
great advantage. England had no wish to meet Russia in
the North; but the desire of abstention was not reciprocal.
To the truism that it would be difficult or impossible for a
Russian army to invade India, it has always been replied that
the danger was not of invasion, but of offensive alliance with
native States. The Russians themselves have fully appre
ciated their opportunities of annoyance ; and it is ad
mitted that their despatch of a Mission to Cabul was
intended as a hostile measure when war seemed imminent
in Europe, The Russian Envoy not only retains his posi
tion after the conclusion of peace, but he has probably
T • ... i i , m • -XT ^
dictated the answer which was returned to Sir N eville
new complications. Perhaps the Empero: C hamberlain's application for a free passage and safe con-
been ill-served by his Ministers, who di duct. If there had been no Russian conquest of Central
countermand in time the movements of G( Asia, it would not have been necessary to choose between
Kaufmann and the setting out of General Stoi Tinprofitable war and inglorious peace,
for Cabul. Russian civil or military functioi
have shown too much or too little activity. En
would accordingly do well not to go too quid
work.
The France talks of the decline of nations a
is gradually going on alongside the uprisii prettl
France. It takes some credit to itself for h
M. GAMBETTA AND RELIGION.
HERE cannot be two opinions about the imw6rtance
M. G ambetta's speafch at Romans. L/amounts
uch to an intimation that the present Ministry,
thX.present ConstituiAon, is provisioij^fl; that it is
predicted that the occupation of Cyprus \ desirable i^hat neither of ttem should be disturbed for the
entail heavy responsibilities. It finds its pi present; bwtthat the Repiplicans are not/^ound, and indeed
tions already realized, and recent events in Af; ought not, iX remain permanently s^isfied with either,
istan show the first consequences of the formi Under ordinal- circumstances a Government would not
rivalry preparing in Asia. France, disinten consent to beXthus ioleratedyoy a popular leader,
can contemplate these covetous passions of M, D ueaure won. ' " " '
nations with calm, and would challeni
himself. But in tne tVcf^c
secti^ilitaa^^he
deal of mutual toleratio
ful support to the
expected to cherish
present Cabinet wil^prol
to leave power
dislike having t^e shadojv
M, GAMBETTAZid not tak
and why M/D ufaure did
which
may be
Thi^eal importance of
factyfaat it is a declarai
already possessed of ver;
lives, is certain to come—'
to pLify the part of a stopgap,
jambbtta to come and be Minister
nVposition of France the several
411ij i)i Mi RUulv' k>great
M, G ambetta has given power
^ .binet, though he cannot be
greaVaffection for it; and the
ably continue to hold office and
G a J ibetta, h^vever much they may
without ite substance. Why
office on th^3th of December,
are among thoss^ersonal secrets
er well they
eldom disclos( d at the time, ho
own.
VL G ambetta's speech ]%s in the
on of policy by a man\rho is
great power, and who, if he
may almost be said whenever
he chooses—to the head of affairs in France, No doubt
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