§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTrose to call attention to the relations of Great Britain and of Russia with Afghanistan and Central Asia; and to move—
That, in view of the great advance made by Russia since 1862 towards Afghanistan and British India, and of the desirability of preventing that Power from obtaining a foothold south of the great desert between the Caspian, the Hindoo Koosh, and the Oxus, which forms the natural boundary to a further advance southwards; and in view of the necessity of preserving the independence of the Turcoman tribes as a bulwark against the Russian armies, and of the importance of Afghanistan from a military, commercial, and political aspect as constituting the key of British India and as commanding all the great trade routes of Central Asia; and in view of the great expenditure and labour already incurred on several occasions in occupying Afghanistan, it is desirable for the safety of the British Empire in India and the security of the 250,000,000 of people inhabiting that Country, and for the highest interests of civilisation, that the British occupation of Afghanistan shall be maintained, but more especially that the great fortress of Kandahar shall be permanently garrisoned by British troops.
§ Notice taken, that 40 Members were not present; House counted, and 40 Members not being present,
§ House adjourned at a quarter after Eleven o'clock.