Mr. Gorst, M.1'. for Chatham, who, as having long been
the head of one of the most influential of the Conservative Associations, is to be regarded as much more than an individual Member of Par- liament, made a speech at Chatham on Tuesday which has no little significance in relation to the Afghan war. This is the Times' report :—" In reference to the Afghanistan question, Mr. Gorst said it was a most unfortunate squabble. They must under- stand that India was governed by the permanent officials of Lord Lytton in India and Lord Craubrook at home. The theory was that Lord Lytton was subservient to Lord Cran- brook, but although he did not presume to know, be believed they would find they had been led into the difficulty by the offi- cials of Lord Lytton, and that Lord Crabbrook knew nothing about it." That is not the language of happy confidence in our Indian rulers, or even of a very well-satisfied Member of the Conservative party at home. Yet Mr. Gorst, we believe, repre- sents the real feeling of the great majority of considerate Con- servatives, who look on this mad adventure of the Indian Government's with both amazement and alarm.
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