HC Deb 30 April 1885 vol 297 cc1109-10
MR. FRANCIS BUXTON

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, When the pledge was first given, to the present Ameer of Afghanistan, that Her Majesty's Government would be responsible for the integrity of Afghan territory, whether such a policy was supported both by the late and the present Government; and, in what document or documents any such pledge is to be found?

MR. J. K. CROSS

The engagement to the Ameer was as follows:— Your Highness has requested that the views and intentions of the British Government with regard to the position of the ruler at Cabul in relation to foreign Powers should be placed on record for your Highness's infor- mation. The Viceroy and Governor General in Council authorizes me to declare to you that since the British Government admit no right of interference by foreign Powers within Afghanistan, and since both Russia and Persia are pledged to abstain from all interference with the affairs of Afghanistan, it is plain that your Highness can have no political relations with any foreign Power except with the British Government. If any foreign Power should attempt to interfere in Afghanistan, and if such interference should lead to unprovoked aggression on the dominions of your Highness, in that event the British Government would be prepared to aid you to such extent and in such manner as may appear to the British Government necessary in repelling it; provided that your Highness follows unreservedly the advice of the British Government in regard to your external relations. This engagement was given in a letter from Sir Lepel Griffin to Abdurrahman Khan on the 1st of August, 1880, and was renewed in the same terms in two letters from the Viceroy to the Ameer of the 22nd of February and 16th of June, 1883. The first of these letters is printed in Afghanistan, No. 1, of 1881, page 40; the two latter in Central Asia, No. 1, 1884, pages 72 and 85. As regards the policy of the late Government, on which I would rather not express an opinion in answer to a Question, particulars will be found in the various Papers presented to Parliament on the subject of Afghanistan while they were in Office.

MR. MITCHELL HENRY

Have the Government got the Ameer's answer?

MR. J. K. CROSS

The answer of the Ameer was contained in the same Paper as the first three letters.

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

Had the Ameer at that time been recognized by the whole of Afghanistan?

MR. J. K. CROSS

He had been recognized by the British Government.

MR. LABOUCHERE

I wish to ask, whether Sir Lepel Griffin's letter of June 14, 1880, did not contain the following passage, with these reservations:— The British Government are willing you should establish one Afghanistan, including Herat, the possession of which cannot be guaranteed to you, though the Government are not disposed to hinder any measures you may take to obtain possession of it.

MR. J. K. CROSS

I think it would be convenient if my hon. Friend will give Notice of a Question of that kind.