cumstances, and
looking to the well-known character and designs of the Sitana
fanatics, I came to the conclusion that the interests both of prudence
and humanity would be best consulted by levelling a speedy and
decisive blow at this embryo conspiracy.

Accordingly it was arranged that the Punjab Government should at once take
the necessary measures for expelling the fanatics from Judoon, where they
had congregated, and then, if circumstances permitted, proceed to destroy
their place of refuge at Mulka.

But it is well known that in India, to use Lord Elgin's own expression,
'rising officials are instinctively in favour of a good row.' Some of those
around him were urgent that the expedition should be deferred until the
spring, and should then be organised on a larger scale, and with more
comprehensive objects. Lord Elgin set his face decidedly against this.

I wish (he wrote) by a sudden and vigorous blow to check this trouble
on our frontier while it is in a nascent condition. The other plan
would give it several months to fester and to extend itself; and, if
there be among the Mohammedan populations in these regions the
disposition to combine against us which is alleged, and which is
indeed the justification of the measure proposed, how far might not
the roots of the conspiracy stretch themselves in that time? The
Afghans in their distracted state might furnish sympathisers; we
should be invited to interfere in their internal affairs, in order to
oppose those among them who were abetting our Mohammedan adversaries;
in short, there is no end to the complications in which this
postponement of active operations might involve us. Everything is more
or less uncertain in such affairs; but in the absence of any very
palpable blunder, what we actually propose to do would appear to be a
pretty safe proceeding. The main purpose is to expel the fanatics from
Judoon; and it is hardly possible that we should fail in this, as they
are within easy reach of us there. The further objects--of punishing
other tribes, and destroying the refuge of the fanatics at Mulka--may
be abandoned if it be deemed advisable, without any loss of prestige,
though of course with some abatement of the completeness of the
movement. I therefore thought it necessary to adhere to my original
resolution.

[Sidenote: The Himalayas.]

On the 26th of Sep