Afghan Boundary Question.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 25, 9 August 1887, Page 4

Afghan Boundary Question.

The Ruisiau papers advise the Government to keep open the frontier question until England ceases to oppose Russia in Bulgaria. This ought to make it clear to all political parties in England that the Eastern question is no longer European only, but extends, in its various developments, from the Danube to the Ganges. Professor Vambery, in a long article to a Vienna paper on the Afghan difficulty, explained the reasons which prompted the recent revolt of the Ghilsais. That tribe has always shown a rebellious spirit, he says, whenever an energetic and determined Prince has occupied the throne. “ The result of the present revolt," he adds, " will be entirely determined by the attitude they assume." Of the loyalty of the officers of Abdurrahman there can be no doubt, as their fate is altogether bound up with his, but it is to be feared that the soldiers may not be equally faithful. Abdurrahman's lack of generosity has made him very unpopular, and though he is in receipt of subsidies from England amounting to more than £160,000, the soldiers’ pay is three months in arrear. If he fails to gain the allegiance of the troops, at any moment he may be overwhelmed. This would not only be very disastrous to England, but to Central Asia, and, indeed, the Eastern question would in consequence enter on a most critical phase. There can be no doubt that Russia is doing all in her power to complicate affairs and profit by the dissensions she is fostering. In St. Petersburg the moment is impatiently anticipated when by supporting the cause of Ayoub Khan, Russia may be able to retaliate on England for the sympathies shown by her to Prince Alexander of Battenburg. So at least says the Professor.