There is little news from Afghanistan this week, and that
little is unsatisfactory. Yakoob Khan makes no sign of submission, and is officially supposed to be meditating a flight like his father, who has entered Russian territory. This rumour, if correct, means that Afghanistan is in a state of anarchy, and that- unless we annex the whole of it up to the Hindoo Koosh, Russia can march across it unopposed, a fitting conclusion to the " policy " of the Government. General Stewart is to fight his battle for Candahar about the 10th inst., and is sure to win, unless his oppo- nent cuts the embankments of the river near which the city stands. In that event, he will have to fight his way through some twenty miles of marsh, against a foe who knows the spaces of firm ground. Sir S. Browne makes no sign at Jellalabad, but General Roberts appears to be in some difficulty in Koorum. He has occupied the Khost Valley, for unknown reasons, but possibly in hope of securing a better route into Afghanistan, and although the Afghan officer in command received him well, the hillmen showed such feeling that on the 7th inst. he was com- pelled to attack them, and inflicted a severe defeat. This may "impress" them, but it may also inflame the whole Hill popula- tion. Moreover, the Wuzeerees have plundered Tank, and although they have retreated, losing seventy men to Major Shep- herd, who sprang out at them with a small section of the Frontier Force, they may find their way to a point between Koorum and Thull, and enclose General Roberts in a trap. He is daring, however, and lucky, and we suppose will be supported by-and- by, as the Government recognises the great number of men these expeditions employ. There are thirty-five thousand soldiers already, either in Afghanistan—where they make about the im- pression a lancet would make on a Cheddar cheese—or protecting the Passes.
