The extreme dislike of the fighting-classes of India to service
in Afghanistan has at last been officially acknowledged by the Government and the Commander-in-Chief. On March 16th the following order was issued from the Adjutant-General's Office, Simla, but, we need not say, was not alluded to in the most distant way in any telegram :—" With a view to facilitate recruiting for native-infantry regiments of the Bengal, Madras, and Bombay Armies employed on field service in Afghanistan, or in mobilised reserves, the Government of India has author- ised the grant of a bounty. 2. This bounty, to be given to every such recruit enlisted and medically passed, at regimental depots or head-quarters, as the case may be, as fit for field ser- vice, will be Rs. 50, viz., Rs. 25 on enlistment, and Rs. 25 on die- charge, at the conclusion of three years' service. 3. These men will come under all the conditions in regard to pay, wound pensions, &c., which are applicable to ordinary recruits." This is the first time, we believe, that bounty has ever been needed in India, and the amount is equivalent to more than seven months' full pay. It is given, too, in a country where, twenty years ago, there were three lads eagerly waiting for each Sepoy vacancy, and where Lord Beaconsfield believed he could raise half a million of men.
