The improvement of our relations with Afghanistan was the first matter of importance to which Lord Lytton directed his attention after his arrival in Calcutta. He had anticipated much difficulty in obtaining the support of his Council to the measures which in the first instance he desired to take, but his fears proved to be unfounded. For the reasons that have already been explained, he did not produce the instructions of Her Majesty's Government, and he had no difficulty in obtaining the assent of the Council to the opinion that the appointment of a new Viceroy and the proposed assumption by the Queen of an imperial title which would proclaim unmistakably to the Eastern world the fact of her supremacy over the whole of India, afforded a favourable occasion for endeavouring to re-open friendly communications with the Amir of Kabul. The Commanderin-Chief, Sir Frederick Haines, had come to Calcutta for the express purpose of giving Lord Lytton his support. He was in complete accord, in regard to this Afghan question, with his predecessor, that chevalier sans peur et sans reproche, Lord Napier of Magdala, who, when he was leaving India, had written to Lord Lytton expressing in strong terms his conviction that our position towards Afghanistan was unsafe and humiliating,' and that measures ought no longer to be delayed for improving it.

The instructions of the Home Government had left to Lord Lytton complete discretion in regard to the manner in which communications should be opened with Sher Ali. The suggestion that a mission to the Amir might perhaps be combined with one to the Khan of Khelat, and proceed to Kabul by way of Quettah and Kandahar, could not be acted upon, because an officer had been sent by the Government

of Lord Northbrook on a special mission to the Khan a few days before the arrival of Lord Lytton in India. The adoption of the further suggestion that it would be desirable, in the first instance, to communicate with the Amir through the Commissioner of Peshawur seemed, however, open to no objection. There could be no difference of opinion in regard to the importance of improving our relations with Sher Ali, and the members of Council gave their unanimous consent to Lord Lytton's proposal that while no letter should be sent by the Viceroy himself, a less formal communication should be made to the Amir by the Commissioner, telling him that it was proposed to send either to Kabul or to any other place which he might prefer a special mission to announce to him the recent accession of the Viceroy to office, and the assumption by the Queen of the title of Empress of India, and assuring him of the friendly disposition of the British Government. The risk would thus be avoided of any embarrassing refusal on the part of Sher Ali to receive the mission, a contingency which could not be ignored while his attitude towards us was so little satisfactory.

The mission thus proposed differed to some extent in its character from that contemplated in the instructions of the Secretary of State, and was more restricted in its immediate aim. It was not only ostensibly but essentially one of compliment and courtesy.' The primary object was the establishment of more friendly relations and the removal of the feelings of anger and distrust which the Amir

1 It was nevertheless asserted by Lord Lytton's opponents in England that the negotiations with the Khan of Khelat and the signing of the Treaty at Jacobabad were begun and carried out by him for the express purpose of irritating the Amir of Kabul, and forcing him into an attitude of open hostility.

appeared to entertain. The mission might at least, it was hoped, if nothing else were gained, prepare the way for future negotiations, and be the first step towards a settlement of existing difficulties. Lord Lytton did not wish that any question likely to be unpleasant to the Amir should be raised at all. It was only in the event of the Amir receiving the Envoy with cordiality, and showing an apparently sincere desire to improve his relations with us, that any subject of political importance need be discussed. It was possible that in the course of amicable communications the real wishes of the Amir might be ascertained, but the Envoy would volunteer no proposals on behalf of our Government.

the Amir

A few days after this decision had been arrived at, Lord Lytton left Calcutta for Northern India, and on April 24 he met the Commissioner of Peshawur, Sir Richard Pollock, at Umballa, and gave to him the draft of the letter which was to be sent to the Amir. A Mohammedan officer, Ressaldar-Major Khanan Khan, Aide-de-camp to the Viceroy, was chosen to carry the Commissioner's letter to Kabul. The letter First letter to was to the effect that the Commissioner desired to acquaint the Amir that Lord Lytton had assumed the Viceroyalty of India, that 'His Excellency had inquired very cordially after the Amir's health and welfare and that of His Highness Abdullah Jan,' and that it was the Viceroy's intention, as soon as the necessary arrangements could be made, to depute Sir Lewis Pelly to him as special Envoy. 'Sir Lewis Pelly (the letter said) will be accompanied by Dr. Bellew and Major St. John, for the purpose of delivering to your Highness in person at Khureeta, a letter informing your Highness of His Excellency's accession to office, and formally announcing to your

Amir receives letter, May 17

Highness the addition which Her Majesty the Queen has been pleased to make to her sovereign titles in respect to her Empire in India. I feel sure that your Highness will fully reciprocate the friendly feelings by which the Viceroy's intention is prompted, and I beg the favour of an intimation of the place at which it would be most convenient to your Highness to receive His Excellency's Envoy. Sir Lewis Pelly, who is honoured by the new Viceroy with His Excellency's fullest confidence, will be able to discuss with your Highness matters of common interest to the two Governments.'

Some delay occurred in consequence of the necessity of obtaining from Kabul a safe-conduct for the Ressaldar, and it was not until May 17 that he was able to deliver the Commissioner's letter to the Amir. It was impressed upon him that he had no political function of any kind, and that he had been selected simply out of compliment to the Amir, as the bearer of the letter. He was to make it known, however, that the proposed mission would be of the most friendly character, and that the probable result would be one highly favourable to the Amir's interests.

Before the Commissioner's letter reached its destination some interesting information regarding the attitude of the Amir was received through a pensioner of the British Government who, in the time. of Dost Mohammed, had taken a prominent part in Afghan politics. It strengthened the opinion which Lord Lytton had formed regarding the feelings of Sher Ali towards our Government, and rendered him more doubtful than before of obtaining any satisfactory reply to the overtures that were being made. This information was contained in a letter giving an

account, which there was every reason to believe trustworthy, of a durbar held by the Amir at Kabul, at which all the principal Sirdars and officers of the Court and the heads of the principal tribes were present. A report had been received that an English army was marching through the Bolan Pass with the intention of occupying Kandahar. This the Amir declared to be perfectly groundless; he said that Mr. Disraeli, who was then in favour in England and who had appointed Lord Lytton, was the same. Minister who had previously appointed his true friend Lord Mayo, that the new Viceroy had brought with him Lord Mayo's Secretary, and would undoubtedly be his friend also. He then ordered the Court to be cleared; his confidential officers were alone allowed to remain, and the Amir told them that he wished to learn their opinions. He said that he believed that the English Government was seriously disturbed by the approach of the Russians towards Merv, and that they wished to send an Envoy to Kabul or to obtain his consent to the establishment

of a permanent mission at Herat. If this were to happen he was afraid that he would be involved in difficulties, and that the Russian Governor-General at Samarkand would declare that he had taken measures hostile to the interests of Russia. The Sirdars replied: "We are in a dilemma which requires deep deliberation to remove. The Amir should summon or write to the Governor of Balkh, who is in constant communication with the Russians and well versed in their affairs, for advice what to do.' A letter was written to the Governor accordingly. Various reports were then mentioned. One of them from Bokhara was to the effect that it was the common talk in the Russian camps at Samarkand