ENGLAND'S PLAN OF OPERATIONS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3305, 1 May 1885, Page 3

ENGLAND'S PLAN OF OPERATIONS.

A leading article m The Times of March Hth, commenting on the fact that war appeared imminent even at that time, gave a very clear idea of the probable plan of operations on the part of England. It is satisfactory, for instance, to learn that Sir Peter Lumsden was instructed to undertake the organisation of the Afghan defence, and that the Ameer, sought English assistance m strengthening the fortifications of Herat against a possible attack, "and probably by this time " adds our contemporary, " some of the engineering officers on Sir Peter Lumsden's staff have taken the work m hand. Fortunately, the Afghan Frontier Commission and its escort include a great - number of skilful engineers, as well as infantry and cavalry officers, whose professional knowledge and experience would be found most valuable if the Afghans were to be suddenly called upon to offer a determined resistance to the hostile advance of Russia. It is probable, however, that the attitude of Sir Peter Lumsden m the RobatPass, and the active measures adopted under his superintendence at Herat will, at all events, prevent the capture of the " Key to India " by a coup de main. Russia, of course, may be deliberately bent on war; and, m truth, if she has not cast aside the alternative of a peaceful settlement, it is difficult to understand her movements, creeping from point to point within the disputed territory, and anticipating by acts of force the Arbitrament of the Commission to which she had agreed to refer the question of the frontier. But, if her aim is war, the precautions of Sir Peter Lumsden will at least secure the Ameer and his ally, the British Government, the advantage of time for completing the work of defence, and should the necessity ariso, for preparing measures of retaliation. . . . Strong as is the national desire for peace, it is not so strong as the conviction that to yield to tho aggression of Russia m Asia would be fatal not only to our dominion m India, but to the British Empire throughout the world. We are not so ill-prepared for the assertion of our rights and Che protection of our allies as it suits some of our Continental critics to make out ; nor, we remind those who exercise a malevolent fancy m picturing India denuded of British troops and rising m wild revolt against her rulers, would it be necessary for us to act exclusively, or possibly, to any great extent, directly, by a military movement from the Indian frontier to Herat. No doubt, the important demonstration of our military strength m North-western India which will take place at the close of the month under the personal inspection of the Viceroy will have, as it is intended to have, material as well as moral weight. No doubt, also, we can, and, if needful, we shall advance beyond ■ Quettah and the Pishin Valley, now held m strength by Anglo-Indian troops, to Candahar, and we may throw a garrison into Herat itself should the Ameer stand m need of aid m that form. But until Russia threatens Afghanistan with much greater forces than she fans yet accumulated m Central Asia, her progress can be effectually resisted and her power subjected to a severe strain by assisting the Ameer with subsidies, with munitions of war, and with the services of English officers. Our military and naval strength, if Russia is bent upon a rupture, can be employed elsewhere. Tho Russian Empire has many vulnerable points, and if this country is forced into hostilities, it must ' not be imagined that they will be cpnfinod to 3 tho ground chosen m the remote regions of f Central Asia by the military advisers of the r Czar." _^^___^_^_____^ mm