Then occurred a strange and striking scene, one for which
we can recall no precedent in Indian luster.. y General Roberts appeared on the balcony of the palace, and through interpreters proclaimed to the crowds below the British decision as to the fate of their city. He said "it would not be beyond the do- mands of justice that Cabul should be levelled with the ground, but the British Government, tempering poring justice with pity, de- crees that Cabul shall be spared. Such buildings as interfere with the military occupation of the city will be destroyed, a heavy fine will be exacted, and the city and all within a radius of ton miles round it will be placed in a state of siege, until the whole population have surrendered their arms. After one week's notice, any man found with arms within the radius will be shot. The penalty exacted from the city is a merciful one, though it will be keenly felt; and the savage order about arms is, we imagine, dictated by an absolute necessity for disarming R population comprising armed men three times the number of our troops, and able and willing to assassinate our officers one by one. It will, of course, be necessary to hold the British garrison in check with a very strong hand, but the absence of any fear of murder will make that easier, particularly as drink is not sold in Cahill.
