The latest report from Afghanistan is that the Ameer has
agreed to receive Major Cavagnari at Cabul, in order to con- • eider British offers, but there is some mystery still about the whole business. A British division has advanced to Gundamak, a lofty valley half-way to Cabul, and commanding an entrance to the most dangerous pass. On Monday, Mr. Diliwyn asked about this, but the Chancellor of the Exchequer had no infor- mation, and Mr: Stanhope knew nothing fresh whatever. As Sir S. Northcote had distinctly pledged himself that there should be no advance, Mr. Dillwyn repeated his question on Tuesday, and Sir Stafford read a telegram received from Lord
Lytton on 3rd April, ".which," he said, "I had forgotten." In it Lord Lytton says,—" No advance on Cabul contemplated with-
out previous reference, butt° give negotiations a reasonable chance of success, troops must be ready for all contingencies. Hence newspaper reports, and concentration of troops." It " may also be necessary to advance General Browne's division to Gundamak, as Jellalabad is too hot for troops in summer." This message, which, by the way, if true, is fatal to the permanent occupation of Jellalabad, seems clear enough, and we can only surmise that Lord Lytton does not believe in his own negotiations. He is not pretending to prepare, this time ; he is preparing ; and the relief of Ekowe will make his tone more lofty still. There can, how- ever, be no doubt that both Governments stand pledged against an attack on Cabul without previous orders from home.
