UGLY RUMORS FROM THE NORTHWEST FRONTIER OF INDIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5030, 8 May 1877, Page 3

UGLY RUMORS FROM THE NORTHWEST FRONTIER OF INDIA.

Tho Bombay Gazette admits that many wild rumors no doubt reach us about the Ameer's intentions and intrigues, but these rumors have a substratum of truth in the sullen dislike to the English cherished by the Ameer. That he will turn a deaf ear to friendly counsels is almost certain; and then stronger measures must bo tried. In present circumstances, communication with the Ameer can only be carried on by correspondence; and the Government of India could not venture to put in peril so valuable a life as Sir Lewis Pelly's by sending him beyond the frontier without a strong escort and a force ready at hand to support him in case the Afghans treat his representations with the contempt which they havo been encouraged during so many years to feel for Anglo-Indian officers. One thing is certain, that Lord Lytton means to insist upon a thorough change in the relations of tho Indian Government with the ruler of Afghanistan ; and from this policy, once he has begun to put it in action, he cannot withdraw his hand let the consequences be what they may. Judging only from what we.know of the condition of things on the frontier, and disregarding o.Ticial statements, we cannot resist tho conclusion that the troops at Rawal Pindi are not' so far out in their speculations after all. Whatever may bo the upshot of negotiations at Constantinople, tho Government of India must got tho mastery over the border tribes, unless it is prepared to let them get the mastery over India, and this is a work not to bo accomplished without hard fighting.

The Overland Jthcnccnm declares that the border tribes are generally just now in an excited and disturbed state ; that the Ameer of Cabul is playing tho usual Afghau game of duplicity and treachery ; and that Russia is making extensive and deliberate preparations for an advance upon Merve, are all undeniable facts to which it is needless for us to try and shut our eyes. It is truo that for years to come Russia cannot possibly bo our border neighbor, but the sooner sho is the better it will be for the interests of civilization, peace, and commerce, and the less will be our actual danger here in India. For that danger is primarily intornal, and not external, and the presence of Russia as a friendly neighboring Power would be an actual souvco of strength to us. Our danger lies in tho evil effects of false and exaggerated rumours of her rapid and hostile approach, aud of her certainty of oveiv running and annexing British India to the rest of her Asiatic conquests. The Indian Daily News remarks that the Government of India continues to preservo ; wha't wo can scarcely help denouncing as a stolid silence, in the face 'of the prevalent rumors regarding some approaching disturbance on the north-wcßtern frontier. Mean-

while troops are being massed upon that frontier, and the wildest conjectures are made of the uses to which they arc to be applied. Hostilities of a sort may indeed be said to have commenced already in the increasing raids made upon our outposts by Afridi bands, who must in some way or other be repressed, and in pursuing whom our troops will in all probability work their way round to Khelat, and finally take root there. Most thoughtful men in India believe that it would be a mistake on the part of the Government to plant a British foi-ce in Quetta ; for a good frontier has been marked out by nature for India, and transgressions beyond it will only expose the country to indefinable risks. These risks, bad enough in themselves, are increased by the influence which the military occupation of Khelat must have on the Ameer of Afghanistan, whose feelings the Foreign Office is said to have resolved on outraging by some insane project of maintaining, or rather attempting to maintain, a resident in Cabul. As tho unfortunate official who may be sent is sure to be murdered in a fortnight, it may be hoped that no one may be selected for the doubtful honor who would bo of any use in the war that would inevitably follow.