'Russia and India in 1903' [‎12r] (23/68)

THE INDIAN FRONTIER QUESTION.
21
On August 17th, 1897, Commissioner at
Peshawar telegraphed to the Government of India
that everything was quiet, and that reports from a
reliable source showed that there was no serious
or general movement among the Afridis. But that
same evening an Afridi lashbar 10,000 strong, accom
panied by 1,500 mullahs, was reported as marching
to attack the Khyber Pass from Lundi Kotal, and
five days later the fort at that advanced post was
captured.
In 1898 a fresh arrangement was entered into with
the tribes, and subject to the preservation of order and
security of life and property on the road and railway,
and in the forts and posts within the limits of the Pass,
the Afridis were to be left to manage their own affairs
in their own country, receiving an allowance as
formerly.
Since then things have gone well upon the whole.
But there are not wanting signs from time to time of
agitation. The source is generally to be traced to
Afghan intrigue, and it is necessary to maintain cease
less vigilance, • especially in the presence of rumoured
efforts to recruit Afridis for the army of the new
Ameer.
There are some in India who think that these
turbulent tribes upon the frontier are a perpetual
source of unrest and danger, and that they should be
taken once for all under effective control. Others, on
the other hand, think that they are in themselves,
considering their fanatical determination to preserve
their independence, a protection against invasion.
The latter, among whom is believed to be Lord
Curzon, are probably in the right, and the less the
tribes are interfered with the better, so long as the
passes are kept open to trade and can be seized if
necessary. It is impossible to exaggerate the diffi
culties of the country, the precipitous mountains, the
narrow defiles, the scarcity of water and vegetation.