THE AFGHAN SITUATION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1180, 16 September 1885, Page 3

THE AFGHAN SITUATION.

The London "Observer" of 27th July printed news to the effect that the Russians were in occupation of Zulfikar Pass, and that the Marquis of Salisbury knew of the occupation several days before. Tho Paris " Gaulois " says Prince Bismarck has suggested that the Pass be made neutral ground, and that the question of possession be hereby solved ; but military experts in London declare that to make ZulfiKar a " no man's land," to be roamed over at will by both Cossacks and Afghans, as Bismarck suggests, would be to make collision inevitable. There would also be continual difficulties about the Pass, and enforcing the neutrality provision^ If the Pass is to be policed by Russia, it might aa w ell be surrendered to her. If it be under the charge of Afghanistan, the situation would be much the same as at present, only with greater provocation and prospects of hostilities. The Pan-Slavist political societies are stirring up the war-feeling all over Russia by abusing England in placards and otherwise. A political correspondent, writing from Vienna on 28th July, says the settlement of the Afghan difficulty is unlikely till the end of the year. A despatch of 29 th July say a Lord Salisbury has agreed to the request of Dr Stael to suspend negotiations until M. de Giers obtains the report of the topographical survey which has been ordered at Zulfikar Pass. The report that the Ameer of Afghanistan has assented to the establishment of a British cantonment at Candahar is said by despatch |from Simla, 29th July, to have no foundation. A despatch of 31st July says Major-General Macgregor is going to Quetta to select a site for an entrenched camp in the Pisheen Valley.

The latest thing out.— The dead latch key.