Afghanistan’s Policy Toward Britain and Russia
The emir of Afghanistan has authorized his agent in London to publish a statement of the policy of Afghanistan toward Great Britain and Russia. Speaking of his anxiety regarding “the possibility of Russia’s taking advantage of the Transvaal war to advance through Afghanistan on India,” the emir says: “I have come to the conclusion that Russia feared Afghanistan, as a war with the Afghans would mean a general rising of all Islam, which would spread through Russia in Asia. Russia has not troops enough to combat such a rising. Her hold on the Mussulman countries she has conquered is insecure. They hate her; and with ten times her power, Russia could not fight Afghanistan and India successfully. The Afghans prefer death to slavery and their women and children being taken by the Russians.” After saying that he is willing to send numerous troops to help Great Britain in the Transvaal, but adding that the Afghans are unaccustomed to the sea, the emir again adds: “But England’s troubles are always my troubles, her strength is my strength, and her weakness is my weakness. England must remember that I am always ready to fight for her on land — here or in India.”