AFFAIRS IN AFGHANISTAN.

Oamaru Mail, 31 July 1880, Page 2

AFFAIRS IN AFGHANISTAN.

In view of the disaster in Afghanistan the following summary showing how matters stood, in that country at the timo the last mail left may prove interesting. This was at the beginning of June 1 The Times correspondent at Cabul says, the chances of a pacific settlement are approaohing. It is thought probable that: Abdurrahman Khan will accept the con- ■ ditional offer made to him of the Ameership, but whether his power will be equal to his promises, or whether his good faith can bo trusted is more doubtful, Ihete is, the correspondent says, every reason to hope for a speedy retirement of our forces to India. The Daily News correspondent at Cabul telegraphs that Abdurrahman has his army, saying that he has no i, i,id of its service, there being no present hostile intention against the British. In the meantime, however, the tribes am still manifesting hostile intentions. A Daily News telegram from Cabul states; that the Zurmut tribesmen have fortified the Altinor Pass, holding 9000 men in readiness to repel the British force, if the latter leaves the Logar to attack them. The present policy (the* telegram adds) is against interfering with the Zurmuts unless Mahommed Jan induces the tribes to ' -f invade the Logar., General Roberts is at Kushi. The Ghilzai chiefs at Tozin havo offered an alliance with Abdurrahman. In the Cabul distriot the Sepoys are said to be returning to their homes. The Daily News correspondent telegraphs that deserters from Herat report that the city is in a state of anarchy, and that Ayoob Khan is virtually a prisoner. The troops are oppressing the people, and arc mutinous. A letter' received at Teheran from Herat, dated April 18, states that the Cabujeae. regiments had joined Ayoob Khan, and that the latter, with 14,000 other troops, had left that place, apparently with the intention of marching 'against Candaluvr,

A week later we have the following Further hostilities are threatened by the tribes. The Indian Viceroy telegram' that reports have been received oft® 4 ® tribal gatherings in Zurmut, prob the view of disputing thei opening communications by the ShutargSraan* According to a telegram from Hisaark, published in the Standard, further hostilities ar§ threatened in that quarter. General Hughes, the telegram says, has encamped at Hissark with General Palliser's and General Lacy's brigades. He detaohed General Barter's brigade in order to watoh the Altimor and Charoak passes. These lead into the valloyß which are held by armed bands. have been fortified with the view ot opposing our entry, which is not intended. The Jarmat gathering of the mixed clans is very considerable* Report says that the gathering has been raised at the instigation of Mahomed Jan, who has started for Ghuznee, promising to return with assistance. General Roberts, who J® l * Qabul for the Logar Valley on the inst., flashing signals from Charasiab, says tha,t he has halted at Zargunshur. Mui* tary correspondence with the Press, i t is added, has been prohibited. I* l ® Viceroy, of India telegraphs that a the large parties of Kohistania in t neighborhood of Cabul have dispersed t their homes, and that everything is q uie in Kohistan and Koh Daman. Ar" l ® parties are atill reported in -the neighbQ " ! hobd of Khelat-i-Gliilzai, bufc'fhe country generally is quieting down. Ai Standa telegram from Bombay says that the report as to the murder of the Governor o*

n. «,«■« not confirmed. According to JStoTacconnts aD TheCabul ttgjaaiiM. f Times, reviewing of the paat week, says that the of an early settlement of the STquestion is certainly better, and fffiTthe unforeseen happens our troops an early return to India. The Stewart at Cabul, with SSestfge of having made a very sucsettlement at Candahar, has, in Snction with other circumstances, the political position. The feelI the sirdars and the country genei the y bc "Sr and no dictation or active opposijusticewill yet be done bethe conflicting claims and the '*Sl Intern* <rill ...died No S®" ar M orosress mast, however, be eiresult is known of the Lmotmication now in course of being Zieto Sirdar Abdurrahman at Kunduz. TnaOT News telegram from Cabul states iff mission from Abdurrahman has rmaaed the Hindoo Koosh.