Nothing like an authoritative or trustworthy account of affairs in
Afghanistan has yet been published, but after collat- ing the official and independent stories, we believe the following to be near the truth. Yakoob Khan found Cavagnari much more of a nuisance than he expected, the Envoy honestly and firmly protecting the Afghans who had sided with us, and who, of course, appeared to their countrymen treacherous vermin, to be killed out at once. The Ameer, therefore, though not treacherous, was half-hearted in his guests' defence ; and now is either powerless, or more probably determined to save his throne by leading the national party. Either he, or a Junta of Sirdars acting in his name, is calling the clans to arms, and more especially the Ghilzais and the Hillmen, who are all willing and all waiting a little to see what the British do. The Junta have also occupied Jellalabad, shut up the head of the Khyber, sent a force to Khushi to meet General Roberts's cavalry, cut off' all communications, and probably made preparations to defend Cabul itself. The principal leader on the national side seems to be Kuhn Khan, commandant of an Afghan regiment, but no. general commandant is as yet visible. The
Indian Government reports every favourable incident, but acts as if it believed, as we certainly do,. that it had to carry through a considerable campaign.
