The Times of Friday published a long letter from Lord
Roberts arguing that we ought to keep Chitral, and assert what is practically sovereignty over all the Pathan tribes between India and the Hindoo Koosh. That will, he main- tains, benefit those tribes, retain in our hands a strategical point of importance, and prevent the Pathans from joining the Russians when they invade India. General Neville Chamberlain, an officer of the first repute and much greater local experience than General Roberts, deprecates this policy, maintaining that the Pathan clansmen will be irritated by our invasion, and will, if we remain, only be kept quiet by a strong garrison, which will impair our resources both in men and money. The road from Peshawur, through Swat to Chitral, will of itself involve the ultimate subjection of all the tribes through whose territory it passes. The necessity of rescuing Dr. Robertson is admitted, but after that, General Chamberlain would, obviously, retire. In the present position of the British Army, it seems to us most unwise to increase the permanent demand on it, while the Treasury directly and heavily feels the annexation of those wild and disturbed hill-countries. As to the possible hostility of Pathans, they will be more hostile as discontented sub- jects, and if not, they can add little to Russian strength. II is not fighting-men which Russia will ever want for any Asiatic enterprise. Lord Roberts, we foresee, will have his way, but the strain on India will be only increased.
