THE AFGHAN BOUNDARY DISPUTE.

Western Star, Issue 932, 21 March 1885, Page 4

THE AFGHAN BOUNDARY DISPUTE.

In an article on the above question tlio “ Lvttclloa Times” says “ There arc wellappointed Indian troops amounting in the aggregate to 300,000 men. If our troops now on the frontier can arrive in time they will bo able to hold Herat and the formidable Northern passes easily till strong reinforcemants conic up at their leisure. When these arrive i hoy will gain time enough for raising and equipping any number of lighting men from the inertial population of Hind os tan. Tlii' great question is, will the Afghans hold, their own in c..se of hostilities till the 30,000 ■Jlritish on the frontier can come to their lu’lp, a period of about a month or six weeks, q'liev will bo able to make quicker time than ; n the occasion of the last Afghan march, dor Ihov will be entering a friendly , i,untry ‘ To judge by the Russian delay at i ho last moment, it looks as if their commaui (']■,, want time to perfect their arrangements. It is a, fair inference that they t dnk our troops arc within practical sinking distance. On the whole, then jj. upturn's that Lord Granville s protest is formidable enough to mean a tremendous campaign. An enemy so s'rong in India, so (uvertul at sea, and able to command the rl.-ongth of (he Turkish Empire, is not to be 'lightly faced. 'J heae considerations may joint lo strong probability of pence. Hut v, it have to remember that the Russian move Ijjm been deliberately p'anned, strongly prepared for, and craftily timed. Eustia has hot lightly faced the hazard of a campaign in Afghanistan. If that means certainty of war, there is not much ground for believing that ,va r will be disastrous to colonial interests. If wo protect our huibors, the strength of the Empire will do ttie rest, us tar as wo are concerned .