The Times published on Monday a statement intended to show
that the Afghan Sirdars, including Mahmoud Jan, were coming in to make some arrangements with Mr. Lyall, the Foreign Secretary, a man of most unusual ability, and not we believe, inclined to extreme views. As the Government now wishes to retire, this would have been a satisfactory announce-
went, but on Friday the Times published the following telegram of March 25th :—" It seems placed beyond doubt that Abdur- rahman is at or near Takhtapool. The Afghan troops have declared in his favour. Gholam Hyder, the Governor of Turkestan, has fled. Reports are rife as to an impending attack upon our posts between Gundamuck and Cabal. They have, therefore, as a precautionary measure, been strengthened." That is the telegram of a startled man, who sees fire in the dry grass, and considering the writer's opportunities, is very serious. The remark about the posts between Gundamuck and Cabal being threatened is confirmed by other authorities, who repre- sent Asmutoollah as again in movement. Mahmoud Jan's re- lation to Abdurrahman is still uncertain, but we have clearly no authority north-west of Cabul.
