THE POSITION IS AFGHANISTAN.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 40, 16 August 1881, Page 3

THE POSITION IS AFGHANISTAN.

| A correspondent writes : — ' Telegrams i from Tndia continue to report important successes, boh in a military and political point of view, on the part of Ayoub Khan, and hence the chance of ins obtaining a final success within a short time, may be considered probable. Were this to occur, a new phase in Afghan politic* would appear In the meanwhile, tho civil war which ia gradually nearing the politic il capital of the country, is not merely a fi<?ht between two rival soldiers, nor between leading chiefs of different clans. On the one side pure and fanatical Islamtsm has for its leader Ayoub Khan, who, to strengthen his cause, is endeavouring to pose a3 a ttue crusader ; while on the 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 Rahman has not strengthened his cause by having allowed himself to be so openly patronised — first by the Russian and latterly by the British Government. However, whatever the result may be we need not distress ourselves. If Ayoub win, it is certain that his fanatic -1 partisans will make him spurn Russian advances just as stoutly aa they would ours. And if she menace the country in force, it ia probable that we jnay then even be implored for aid, and become tho deliverers and allies of the true tribal strength of the country to roll back Muscovite aggression — a character and position that Russia has oil along schemed to assume. Unstable as all Gcvernments of the country have hitherto been, if the people are really bent on endeavouring to fettle their own affairs in a way acceptable to themselves, it is 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 presence of English political officers, and so indirectly throwing the country into the hands of onr true enemie3. While earnestly trusting that this internal strife may draw to a speedy closo, and so enable the people to re-assume their more peaceful occupations, and reopen and improve their trade with India, we have but to bo watchful ef events, improve our relations with Kussia, Turkey, and Persia, and complete the reorganisation of our army."

Two curious instances of treasure trove have occurred recently in Victoria: Some children digging up the ground at the foot of a tree in the lng'ewood district found an 80ounce nugget ot puro gold. A man, whilst standing talking to two others on the beach, near St. Kilda, uncovered a shilling with his foot. He searched further, and found a considerable sum of money in gold and silver. Some of the soverigns bore the date 1710.

" We are one year nearer heaven," is the way a Kanses paper began a farewell to the old year. " Those subscribers who have not paid are not included."