The return of Abdurrahman. to Cabul, after an absence of
two years, gave the Times of Monday last an occasion for an interesting review of the present situation in Afghanistan. When the Ameer left his capital in 1888, the insurrection of Ishak Khan threatened to overthrow the State. He re-enters it with his rebellious cousin in exile, and with the Northern Provinces thoroughly subjected and pacified. The severity, or rather cruelty, exercised in order to inspire the tribes with a due awe of their ruler, has doubtless been very great, but it should not be condemned too hastily in such a Kingdom as Afghanistan. Anarchy is, after all, the worst form of suffering which a people can endure ; and the actual result of the Ameer's harshness has been to establish a settled administration. Another matter worthy of notice is the fact that Abdurrahman during his campaigns refrained from doing anything which might have caused disturbance on the Russian frontier, and so endangered the peace of Asia, if not of the world. Lastly, the Ameer's prolonged absence from Cabul has made patent the fact that he has a son capable of holding the Kingdom together on his father's death. Habibulah, who has been ruling in the South in his father's stead, has shown great firmness and capacity.
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