NEW COMPLICATIONS IN AFFGHANISTAN. [From the "Watchman."]

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 641, 5 June 1852, Page 4

NEW COMPLICATIONS IN AFFGHANISTAN. [From the "Watchman."]

The death of Yar Mahomed Khan, ruler of Herat is an event likely to be followed by political changes in Central Asia, •which may lead to an interferance on the part of the Government of British India, if not ultimately to another Affghan campaign. Herat occupies a position important both in a political and commercial point of view. It commands the most frequented route from Persia to Afghanistan, and no inland place, perhaps, in Asia, has so active and lucrative a trade ; hence it has obtained the name of Bxmder or port. It was originally tributary to Persia. On the dismemberment of the Durani empire, it fell into the possession of Kararan Khan, the son of Shah Mabmood, of Cabul. Kamran was tyrannical, avaricious, and cruel ; and his Vizier, Yar Mahomed, took advantage of his unpopularity, dethroned him, and usurped the government. This resolute prince, whose death we learned by the last Overland Mail, has been succeeded by bis eldest son, Syed Mahomed Khan, who is represented as imbecile, and utterly incapable of govenng the country. The Chiefs of Affghanistan, who consider themselves the legitimate heirs of Herat, as being the representatives of the Durani monarch?, view the present as a favourable opportunity for asserting their individual claims, and are bestirring themselves for the purpose of deposing Syed Mahomed, and taking possession of the throne. Of these rival chiefs, the wily Dost Mahomed Khan of Cabul is the principal, and likely to prove the successful competitor. Flushed by his success in the recent conquest of Balkh, and eager for the further extension of hia rule, he has placed his son Hyder Khan in command of a large force, with instructions to invade Herat. Persia,-— which power attempted to take Herat in 1838, and withdrew from the siege in consequence of the remonstrance of the British Government, — it is also expected, will again take the field, and make another effort to annex the province to her dominions. Of the present complications of Central Asia, Russia, ever watchful of events, is likewise endeavouring to take advantage. Notwithstanding the disastrous failure of her expedition to Kbiva, twelve years ago, Russia did not abandon the plans she had then in view, but has been, for years past, forming a basis for future and more important operations, when a fit occasion should present itself. She has subjected to her rule the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, of which she now therefore commands all but the southern margin ; has erected forts, and placed garrisons in them ; opened negotiations with the Turkomans ; gained over to her interests the Kerghises; and, by persevering efforts, has extended her domination to Lake Aral and the frontiers ofTurkistan. Having thus arrived at the mouth of the Oxus, which is said to be navigable for six hundred miles, Russia may convey her troops through Turkistan, and across Affghanistan ; — by which route, or through Khorassan, she must find her way to Herat. Meanwhile, report states that a body of Russian troops has landed on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, and, in concert with the Persians, is now marching by the latter route upon the inheritance of Syed Khan. Of the progress of these events, the British Government cannot remain a passive spectator. They ncaily | concern our Indian empire, and must lead to the adoption of measures for the protection of its western frontier. The great question is, How are the high-spirited Affghans to be dealt with, and the encroachments of Russia to be repelled 1 Not by war, — this has already been tried, and proved an utter failure, — but by cultivating the good-will of the Affghans, speaking to their interests by commerce, presents, and political missions, — and by bringing into full operation British moral influence, which is all-powerful. By such policy, we might, at a small expense, compared with that of our lasi military expedition to Cabul, gain an influence and I control over the Affghans, which would prove the surest means of counteracting the efforts of Rusia. We shall look with some degree of anxiety for the next Indiau Mail, which, doubtless, will supply us with fuller information regarding this matter. An Ambsador from Peisia has, within the last fortnight, arrived in London, whose mission may probably relate to the present state of affairs in Central Asia.