The telegram from Bombay of March 3rd about Afghan affairs,
which has even affected the Stock Exchange, strikes us as nonsensical. It states that the Ameer is raising a new army, that he is drilling boys of ten and impressing boys of sixteen, and that he is about to proclaim a Holy War against Russia. He has no more power to proclaim a Holy War than the Queen has. We presume the truth to be that Abdurrahman Khan expects a renewal of the Ghilzai revolt, that his avarice has irritated some other tribes, and that he is raising all the forces he can, to be in readiness. As the usual charge-against him is that he is a friend of the Infidels, it is possible that he has obtained an opinion from his Mollahe that he is a good Mahommedan, and that all good subjects of that faith should assist him willingly. We wonder what some of the story-tellers, who are always talking about a Jihad, think would be the effect of that proclamation on Mnssnlmans P Exactly as mach and as little as the Pope's approval of a war would have on Catholic soldiers.
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