THE POSITION IN AFGHANISTAN.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1910, 8 April 1880, Page 3

THE POSITION IN AFGHANISTAN.

On the subject of Mahomed Jan’s force, the Cabul correspondent of the “Civil and Military Gazette” observes, on February 6th: “At the present time it is difficult to obtain nows from Ghuzni, owing to the establishment of posts by Mahomed Jan at the Kotal-i-Takht and the Kotal-i-Sufed-Khak, on the Turkistan and Ghuzni roads. Knowing well that we should be anxious to ascertain how matters were progressing in the Ghuzni district, the insurgent leader is bent upon placing every difficulty in the way of our so doing, and these outposts are established for that purpose. The deep snow at present on the road will effectually prevent any rapid operations from the outlying districts for a second march upon Cabul. From the number of chiefs who, it is reported, have lately met at Ghuzni, it is to be inferred that some definite understanding has been arrived at relative to another rising against the British. That the principal chiefs themselves who attended this council are anxious to stir up the people once more, there can be but little doubt, but as day by day passes by, we hear of no very important gatherings. It is impossible to obtain, at present at least, any idea of the exact number of fighting men and no wlyenliated recruits at Ghuzni. Reports differ, but I nm informed that there are not more than 1500 soldiers there, although there may he any amount of rabble, who would, on an advance, be willing to accompany the troops. A considerable part of the city has been looted, and the inhabitants forced to supply grain and provisions. It is said that Mohomed Jan is endeavoring to collect as speedily as possible all the disbanded Argundeh regiments of the late Ameer.” On the 12th February the Allahabad correspondent of the “ Madras Mail ” writes : “ Mahomed Jan’s forces seem to be breaking up. The Logaris refuse to give even food now to his supporters, and Hasan Khan is making overtures to come in to Sherpur. Many independent Ghilzai and Kohiatan chiefs, who have hitherto held aloof, are also anxious to make terms.” On February 25th the Allahabad correspondent of the “ Times of India ” mentions that an endeavor is being made to obtain some definite expression from Mahomed Jan of what line of policy he would lend himself to. Upon the answer given much will depend. The malcontents are not in such good spirits as they were a few weeks ago, the want of sympathy among the Logaris having greatly discouraged them. The settlement which appears most feasible now is to place Hashim Khan, son of Sharif Khan, the Debra prisoner, on the throne, with such means at his disposal as would enable him to win over the adherents of Yakoob Khan. If Mahomed Jan accepts such a proposal, which is not impossible, the war may be looked upon as ended. A strong faction in possession of Cabul, with a large subsidy from the Indian Government, would hold its own against any pretenders. With regard to the defences of Oabnl, the “ Civil and Military Gazette’s ” correspondent says :—“ All is quiet in and about Cabul. The city seems to be getting fuller every day, and traces of the damage done in it during the recent occupation are now well nigh indistinguishable. The Hindus have unearthed their hidden treasures, and repaired their ruined dwellings. From what I can ascertain, it appears that but few of them have in reality left the city, although about ten days or a fortnight ago they talked very loudly of so doing. They seem re-assured by our promises of better protection in the future, and they are inclined to believe us when they see our preparations for defence in rapid progress on all sides. These defences are admirable constructions. They are erected in the very places where they are most needed, but, unfortunately, as the Cabul garrison is at present constituted, we have hardly enough men to be able to afford a reinforcement (which will be greatly needed) for the third brigade at the Bala Hissar in case of emergency. Every man was required for the ramparts on the occasion of the previous attack, and every man will be required for the four miles of defensive lines on the next occasion. Without a strong reinforcement those forts will bo practiccally useless. We should have now in Cabul an addition of at least 1500 men to the force.” The “Pioneer” of 13th February states that “ among the papers found in Cabul were some which even at the present date will seem startling. The Russian Government had made proposals to Afghanistan, complete in all details, for the invasion of Northern India. Russia was to have assisted the Afghans in conquering India as far southwards as Lahore, This place [taken] all the loot of the campaign was to be given to the Ameer as a reward. The gunpowder and arms found stored at Cabul were to be made subservient to the scheme. The frontier correspondent of the “Times of India ” says in its issue of February 28th, “ Large quantities of telegraph material for the extension of a line to Herat are being sent forward, and active preparations are being made to co-operate with the Bombay troops \ in this direction.”