Sir Garnet Wolseley gives the following definite and moderate opinion
upon the military value of Canclahar, which he is anxious to evacuate To occupy a point so far removed beyond our frontier would be a serious financial burden, even in times of profound peace ; and in time of any great trial its possession would indeed be a white elephant, capable of ruining our Indian Empire, by the cost which the necessity of supporting it would entail upou In my humble opinion, the question of the retention of Candahar is not a military one, for I can see no possible strategical advantage in its present occupation. Its retention will certainly cripple our military resources, and it would seriously hamper our strategical operations, in the event of any great internal commotion There is no Afghan army that could prevent an English division from marching from Quetta to Candahar, whenever it might become advisable to do so. If, therefore, we can at all times occupy Caudahar when we wish, why go there until the necessity for doing so has arisen?" The necessity would arise, Sir Garnet believes, when the Russians occupy Herat; but suppose that, on that event occurring, we fight in Europe.
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