The Times publishes, in a letter from Simla., an official
ex- planation of the determination to remain, in Candahar until the spring. The writer, who avowedly gives the opinions of the Indian Government, states that the Wali Shere AE will be abandoned as incompetent, and, though not exactly treacherous, still undoubtedly favourable to Ayoub Khan, whose advance, it is broadly hinted, he secretly. favoured. He will be allowed to reside in British India, at his own request. No substitute can be found, except the Amer ; and the Government, there- fore, is driven to choose between annexation and the transfer of the province to Ahdurrahman Khan. It will, therefore, be so transferred, when he is strong enough to take it ; but this will not be till next year, "if then," as he has his own provinces to reduce to order ; and till that time the Govern- ment must administer Candahar, which, the writer contends, can be held as easily as the Punjab, " though it will be a heavy financial burden." He does not tell us that Abdtirrahman refuses to accept Candahar at once, or explain why we cannot leave the Birders to settle among themselves who is entitled to the prize. He appears to believe that the question of annexation is not definitely settled, and that is our opinion also. That the present Government will remain in Candahar we cannot believe, but it has obviously been compelled, by come pressure not yet visible, to leave the matter open for the time. According to the Standard corre- spondent on the spot, Khelat is to be next attacked, and our communications cut.
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