Afgnanist.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 2, 5 June 1900, Page 3

Afgnanist.

Tho 'critical stato *oi affairs in ths East, which is emphasised Jbp a cablegram announcing that a large number or warships are assembling at Tientsin, gives special interest to a statement tnat was mads acme weeks ego by the Sultan Mahotnrued Khan, a prominent official ot the Ameer of Afghan, to a repitibeutative of the Lojmon Daily Mail. A war between Kussia and Japan might easily involve Great Britain, and in the avent of such a catastrophe the disposition of the Ameer towards the beligerents would beeonio a matter of the fhst importance. Mahomuied Khan is con&deut that the arms as well as the sympathy of his royal master would bo found en tho bide of the British. In his daily talk, according to this authority, he oonstantly expresses his sentiments that it is for tho benefit of Afghanistan to ally itself with England rather than Russia The Afghanß valua their independence, and would fight to the last to retain.it. If this iB true — and Mahormned Khan ought to know his master's mind- liusoia encounter more than one formidable obstacle on her way to India. Her first efforts would be directed against Herat, and there she would find employmant for an army of half a million men, even if the defence were kf& to the Afghans themselves. The to vu is garrisoned by thirty or forty thousand, spidndidly equipped men, s.nl there are fifty or sixty ihoueaud more within easy call, while the forts are supplied with the finest modern ordnance There is no ch.mce of the country being captured by surprise, for the Ameer has organised a great Intelligence Department, with ugmts everywhere. Not a newspaper article in England or Russia on Afghan affairs but is sent to Kabul and translated for his benefit. His agents are scattered over Itus&ian Asia. At a word frern him a hundred tribes in mid-Asia would rise against the Czar. It iwmpossible for a man to set out for Afghanistan without the Ameer knowing alF^bout him loi-g before he reaches Afghan borders. It is a mistake to think of the country as wild and lawless. The Government ie everywhere respected, and can readily enforce its behests. The Ameer's son and heir is even more friendly to Great Britain than his father is, and when he comes to the throne will doubtless establish additional bonds between the two countries, *

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