The British Government has, of course, under the circum- stances
which its folly and panic dread of Russia have produced, only two alternatives. It can recall Lord Lytton, and treat the whole affair as a blunder, or it can invade Afghanistan ; and it has decided on the latter. It was at first believed that it would wait till the spring, and then, if the Ameer did not yield, enter Afghanistan with an army of 40,000 men,—a reasonable plan, if the war is once decided on. It would appear from a semi-official sketch in the Times of Wednesday that this was the plan at home, but it was too tardy for Lord Lytton, who, according to four separate telegrams, has resolved to invade at once. A force of 8,000 men will pass through the Bolan to Quettah, and
• occupy Candahar ; another force of 6,000 will enter the Koorum, with Cabul as its object ; while a third, probably of 4,000 men, will occupy the Khyber, and support the Koorum division. If the capital can be taken before winter, the Ameer, it is expected, will yield, and if not, the troops will be " ready " for the cam- paign in spring. We have explained elsewhere the great danger which this plan involves, but may add here that the Indian Government evidently expect to buy the Hillmen, and to excite the Afghans to rebel against the Ameer. We fear that calculation rests upon two delusions,—first, that Shere All does not know his own business ; and second, that Hillmen and Afghans wish to be ruled by white Infidels, whom they have fought all their lives. It is much more probable that the British armies will be let through, and that desperate attacks will then be made on the baggage-train, which must necessarily be very large.
