THE POSITION IN AFGHANISTAN.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 196, 18 August 1881, Page 1

THE POSITION IN AFGHANISTAN.

A correspondent writes to the Post: — " Telegrams from India continue to report important Bucceasejtj both in a military and political point of view, on the part of Ayoub Kban^ and hence the chance of his obtaining a final success within a short time may be considered probable* Were this to occur, a new phase in Afghan politics would appear. In the meanwhile, the ! civil war which is gradually nearing the political capital of the country, is iidt merely a fight between two riyal soldiers, nor between leading chiefs of diffepent clans. On the one side /pure and fanatical Islamism has for its leader Ayoub Khan, who, to Btrerigtben his cause, is endeavoring to pose as a true crusader ; while on tbe other Abdul Rahman is ranging such forces as money, personal influence, and the prestige of having been installed and acknowledged by the Indian Government, may gain for him. It is to be feared, however, in so fanatical a country as Afghanistan, that Abdul Bahman has not strengthened hia cause by having allowed himself to be bo openly patronised — first by tbe Russian and atterly by the British Government. However, whatever the result may be we need not . distress ' ouf selves.: - If AyOub win, it is certain that his fana+ tical partizana will make him spurn Eussian advances just aa stoutly as they would ours. And if she menace the country in force, it ißppobableithaJi we may then ; even be ; implored for aid] and become, the deliverers; «iict. l alli&i of; the true. tribal strengta; of the,,c.ountry to roll back Muscovite aggression'*-*a chapacter and position thatEossia hes all along schemed to assume. TTrisfrable! as all Governments of the country have hitherto beeD^.if the people are reail^ bent on endeavoring to settle their own afiairs in. a way -acceptable' to "them-* selves, it ia best that they should be left alone to do so, without our temporarily forcing a ruler of our choice on them, or galling them by the pre-* sence of English political officers, and so indirectly throwing the country into tbe bands of our true enemies. WhilO earnestly trusting that this, internal strife may draw to a speedy close, and bo enable the people to re-assume their more peaceful occupations, asd re-open and improve their trade with India, we have but to be watchful of events, improve ourrelations withKussia, Turkey^ and Persia, and complete the re-organi-sation of our army."