There is to be no debate on Afghan policy before
the election,. Sir Stafford Northcote having definitively refused to allow a day for the purpose. That does not matter much, as politicians can say what they have to say elsewhere ; but the Government also refuse to state what their policy is in Afghanistan. This either means that the Government intend to commence a third campaign without informing Parliament of their objects ; or, as Mr. Gladstone appears in his address to believe, that they are- negotiating some secret arrangement with Russia. This has been rumoured on the Continent for some time, and is partly confirmed by German hints that Russia will not go to Merv,. and English hints that it would be better not to take Herat till Russia does go there. The policy adopted will depend upon the elections, but the secrecy is one more evidence of that distrust of itself which a Tory majority appears to approve._ According to the latest accounts from India, Sir Donald Stewart would move on Ghuznee on the 20th inst., but that the means of transport are still deficient.
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