TROUBLES ABROAD.
While local troubles have been occupying all our attention during the past couple of weeks, another serious complication has arisen in the East, the possible outcome of which is sufficient to cause much apprehension. A quarrel has taken place between Ishak Khan and the Ameer of Afghanistan—a little incident that would be of no consideration to outsiders were it not for the pretext it offers to Russia to assume further aggressive tactics. Ishak Khan is the governor of the province of which Herat is the capital; though he is nominally a subject of the Ameer's, his rule is almost absolute, and as his province is expected to contribute its share to the general revenue, it is only natural that Ishak’s inclination should be averse to anything of the kind. He is in a great measure able to defy the Ameer, and influenced by Russian intrigue and prompted by Russian gold, his “ loyalty ” is not much to be depended upon. The British Government are pledged to maintain the Ameer’s power, and as everyone knows Herat has to be maintained by the British as an obstacle to Russia’s march towards India. The Russian Press has already endeavored to connect England with the quarrel, and Lord Salisbury has replied that his Government has had nothing whatever to do with it. If the quarrel remains at this all will be well; no one beyond Afghanistan itself will be any way concerned as to whether the Ameer is or is not able to squeeze more taxation out of his subjects—most likely on that point Ishak Khan would have our sympathies; what we desire to see is that England is not placed in a very serious position owing to a petty dispute between the Ameer of Afghanistan and one of what may be termed his lieutenants, Russian officers have abated none of their keenness in turning every possible point to their own advantage, and if there is not much care exercised they will know well how to make this last affair fit in with a consistent system of trickery.
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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 269, 5 March 1889, Page 2
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345TROUBLES ABROAD. Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 269, 5 March 1889, Page 2
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