eral Stewart's successful action
before Ghazni.

With regard to the second reason mentioned for the retention of
our troops in northern Afghanistan, the appearance of Abdur
Rahman as a candidate for the throne of Kabul, whose claims the
Government of India has no cause to oppose, and who seems to be
approved, and likely to be supported, by at least a majority of
the population, affords fair ground for anticipating that our
wishes in regard to the restoration, before our departure, of
order in that part of the country will now be fulfilled.

The Governor-General in Council has consequently decided that the
evacuation of Kabul shall be effected not later than October next,
and it is with special reference to this decision that the letter
and message addressed to you by Sirdar Abdur Rahman have been
carefully considered by His Excellency in Council.

What first claims notice in the consideration of that letter is
the desire that it expresses for the permanent establishment of
Afghanistan with our assistance and sympathy under the joint
protection of the British and Russian Empires. This suggestion,
which is more fully developed in the Sirdar's unwritten message,
cannot be entertained or discussed.

As already stated, the primary object and declared determination
of the Government of India have been the exclusion of foreign
influence or interference from Afghanistan. This cardinal
condition of amicable relations with Afghanistan has, at all times
and in all circumstances, been deemed essential for the permanent
security of Her Majesty's Indian Empire. As such, it has hitherto
been firmly maintained by successive Governors-General of India
under the explicit instructions of Her Majesty's Government. Nor
has it ever been ignored, or officially contested, by the Russian
Government. That Government, on the contrary, has repeatedly, and
under every recent change of circumstances in Afghanistan, renewed
the assurances solemnly given to the British Government that
'Russia considers Afghanistan as entirely beyond the sphere of her
influence.'

It is true that negotiations at one time passed between the two
Governments with a view to the mutual recognition of certain
territories as constituting a neutral zone between their
respective spheres of legitimate influence and action,