By far the weightiest contribution as yet made to the
Afghan question is Lord Northbrook's speech at the corporation dinner at Winchester on Monday night. It is a speech of the weight of which only a careful perusal can give an adequate idea, but its drift can be condensed. Lord Northbrook, a Viceroy who received an earldom from the Tories for his services in India, shows distinctly that the Ameer has always protested against a British Envoy, that Lord Mayo's agreement to his terms was emphatically approved by Sir Stafford Northcote, and that in 1873 Shere Ali's Prime Minister strongly, but confidentially advised that no Envoy should be sent, as all Afghans would consider that a preliminary to annexation. He further shows that Sir Neville Chamberlain had received no insult, and that the Russian Govern- ment has not broken faith, its Mission having been despatched, as Lord Northbrook proved, by a comparison of dates, before peace had been concluded with Great Britain. Shere Ali, moreover, tried to prevent the Russian Mission going to Cabal, his real feeling being solicitude for his independence, and dislike both of Russia and Great Britain. Lord Northbrook then quoted tha authori- ties mentioned elsewhere, remarked that the last war cost £17,000,000, and declared that the expense must be borne by this country, because India is too poor. The speech, at first a little coldly received, warmed up the audience as it proceeded, until almost every sentence was followed by loud cheers.
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