Now that the Tibetan affair is over, the Indian Government
is pressing forward two other plans of Lord Curzon. One is a Mission to Kerman, in South-Eastern Persia. It is nominally commercial, and intended to promote the culture of cotton, but its expenses will be mainly paid by Govern- ment, and it is escorted by Indian cavalry. We rather dis- trust its wisdom, more especially as the people of Sindh are this year exporting three hundred thousand bales of improved cotton equal to Egyptian. The other plan is for closer alliance with the Amir, who has asked for an interview with Lord Curzon, and will obtain one after his return in December, while intermediately an agent is to meet the Amir's son and prepare disputed questions for settlement. The object of the interview is not accurately known ; but it will be remembered that Hahibullah has abolished the conscription, and proposes to raise a smaller but more regularly paid army. He may, therefore, want more help from the Indian Government, while we want more assistance in keeping the wild tribes quiet. We trust—and, we may add, believe—that the Viceroy is not asking permission to send a British Minister to Kabul. He would be killed by the mob like Sir Louis Cavagnari.
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