The Times seems a little alarmed at some reports from
India of disturbances expected beyond the frontier. Its correspondent from Simla telegraphs that the Khan of Khelat is seriously annoyed by the occupation of Quettah, and that the Ameer of Cabool proposes to him the plunder of India. The Turkestan Gazette, a St. Petersburg paper apparently, confirms this story, as far as the Ameer is concerned, and says Shore Ali has collected 66,000 men. In a later telegram from Simla, however, forwarded through Reuter, and apparently official, the story is flatly denied, and our relations with Khelat and Cabool said to be excellent. As we have said elsewhere, we believe the alarmist rumour to be based on an old story, the panic of the Ameer of Cabool as to our intention in sending a Resident to Khelat, and even that panic is exaggerated. Shore Ali is a bold man, and a reckless one, but even he is not going to hurl a few thousand matchlock-men and cuirassiers upon one of the strongest military Empires in the world. They would never get out of the Passes. Note that Lord Beaconsfield's support of the Turks does not induce the Mussul- mans of Central Asia to threaten Russia, but Britain.
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