The news from Afghanistan is almost disastrous. The new Wall
of Candahar has proved as powerless as was expected. Ayoub Khan has advanced from Herat to the Helmand to threaten him, and though the Heratees number only 4,550 regulars, it has been necessary to send a British brigade of all arms, under General Nathan, to strengthen the Wali, who might otherwise be deserted. The Reserve Division formed in Bombay has, at the same time, been ordered to Candahar, to protect com- munications. In the east, the Ghilzais, under Hashim Khan, are reported by Lord Ripon to be "meditating hostilities," Abdurrah- man is slowly pressing forward over the Hindoo Koosh, and the British troops are constantly attacking parties which collect at different points. So far from retiring from Afghanistan, we appear in the west to be beginning a new campaign, and in the east to be carrying on a bloody and purposeless irregular war. It is evident that unless some final decision is arrived at in London, and orders issued so peremptory as to terminate re- sponsibility, we shall not be out of Afghanistan this year.
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