23 APRIL 1881, Page 2

The British flag was hauled down at Candahar on the

21st inst., and the troops evacuated the city, which was taken over by Sirclar Hilshim Khan, in the name of the Ameer, Abdurrahman. It was believed that with the evacuation, this ill-advised, costly, and useless expedition would end, but a rumour is circulating in India that the Government intend to keep a number of posts between Qeetta and Candahar, and especially the Khojak Pass. Lord Ripon, it is said, has forwarded reasons for this " compromise " which will con- vince the Cabinet, We do not believe it. Lord Hartingtou stands pledged to the lips to retire from Afghanistan altogether, and must at last send the peremptory instruc- tions he ought to have despatched at first. The retention of any post beyond Quetta—which is in Beloochistan- will seem to the Afghans full proof that we intend to interfere again in their affairs, and will tempt them to form alliances against us. Afghanistan ought to be treated as the moon is, carefully and minutely observed from a distance by competent persons, but with a full recognition that whatever occurs there, interference is utterly beyond even the scope of imagination. If Russia likes to waste troops and treasure on making enemies of the Afghans, as we have done, let her.