Lord Granville on Monday promised to produce the Secret Papers
captured in Afghanistan, upon which the late Govern- ment so much relied to justify the iniquitous invasion of that country. On Wednesday, however, they were published in the Standard surreptitiously, some person to whom they were con- fidentially entrusted having betrayed his trust. The object, of course, was that they should appear accompanied by the run- ning commentary drawn up by the late Government, and which is intended to show that Russia intrigued in Afghani- stan while making peace in Europe. Lord Hartington intimated on Thursday that twenty-eight copies of these documents had been issued, of which thirteen were sent to India. Ho had inquired about the English copies, but they were safe, and some Indian copy must have been sent to the Standard. He trusted that the offender would come forward, and admit his indiscreet and improper conduct. As to the despatches 'themeelves, the Government had seen
them before they decided on their policy in Afghanistan, and they should make no change. We have commented on the papers at some length elsewhere, but may say here that they prove nothing, except that Russia, when expecting war with England, tried to secure Afghanistan as an ally, and that her agent, General Stoletoff, was very liberal of promises quite impossible of execution at Cabal. Shore All probably never believed him, but when beaten on the Peiwar Kotel, appealed to these promises, and found them worthless.
