The Times of Thursday contains an article, apparently inspired, intended
to allay "the feeling of alarm which is being expressed in some quarters" in regard to Afghanistan. The condition of affairs, it admits, is "not altogether satis- factory," but it believes that the points of friction may be got rid of by careful management. The present difficulties spring from two things,—the Ameer's touchiness and unwillingness to be guided by the advice of the Indian Government, and the serious and widespread insurrections that are in existence within his dominions. Between our North-West frontier and Afghanistan are a series of independent tribes which we maintain as small buffer-States. These tribes the Ameer desires to subdue ; but this the Indian Government will not permit, and hence a great deal of irritation. At present, he is menacing our two most cherished buffer-tribes, the Tune and the Mohmunds, and against his action Lord Lansdowne has had to remonstrate.
Previous page
