LORD INCHIQUINsaid, he rose to ask Her Majesty's Government, Whether Russia has demanded to be diplomatically represented at Cabul on a footing of perfect equality with England? He desired to put that Question in consequence of the reports which had appeared in the Press. It was stated, not only that Russia had raised objections to the employment of English officers in the fortifications of Herat, but that the 1009 neutrality of Afghanistan had been demanded, and that England had been called upon to renounce any interference on her part in the affairs of that country. These reports were naturally of very great importance, and he could not but think that it was only due to Parliament and the public that Her Majesty's Ministers should state plainly whether any such demands had been made by the Government of Russia, and whether or not they maintained the policy of the inviolability of Afghanistan as our first line of defence. He could hardly think that Her Majesty's Ministers were prepared to receive any such propositions as those which were reported to have been made by Russia. He had listened attentively to what was said in the House a few days ago by the Secretary of State for India in reference to the defence of Afghanistan. What had fallen from the noble Earl had great force in regard to the fortifications that were necessary to be raised on the boundaries of India; but he had been struck by the fact that the noble Earl carefully abstained from any allusion whatever to what had hitherto been always considered the first line of defence of India—namely, Afghanistan itself. If Her Majesty's Government had changed their opinion on that point, and were prepared to maintain that Afghanistan was no longer worth our consideration, and that they might be content to create such fortifications as were necessary on the confines of India, the country had a right to understand clearly that that was the case. The Vienna Correspondent of The Times that morning used these words—
The alleged intention of the British Government to concentrate the defences of India in India itself is regarded as leaving the field clear for Russia's suggestion in favour of the complete neutrality of Afghanistan—in other words, for the elimination from that country of all British influence.It was perfectly clear since that speech of the noble Earl was made that such had been the construction put upon it, not only in India but in Europe generally, and in Russia itself. The best way for England to avoid a war with Russia was to lay down before Russia distinctly what our policy was. The noble Lord concluded by putting his Question.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYThe answering of this Question more pro- 1010 perly belongs to my noble Friend (Earl Granville); but as the noble Lord has made some remarks on my speech of the other night I will reply to his Question. In the first place, Russia has made no such demand whatever. Then, as to his observations, which seem to be based principally on Vienna correspondence in the newspapers, I do not think that that is an authority on the subject. It would appear that some observations of mine have been construed as a total abandonment of our position in relation to Afghanistan. If anybody has drawn such an absurd conclusion from my words they must have been deaf to what I really said. I said nothing of the kind. On the contrary, I have said that we have always regarded Afghanistan as being outside the sphere of the influence of Russia; that we maintain the principle which has always been maintained, I believe, by both sides of this House as to our position in regard to Afghanistan. I apprehend that the line of defence and also the line of offence to be taken up must be that which is most likely to serve the interests of India and of this country; but I object altogether to be bound by what the noble Lord quotes from the newspapers. I mentioned the line of the Indus the other night; but, at the same time, in answer to the noble Marquess, who inquired whether Quetta and other points were excluded from our contemplation, I said, "Certainly not." And I say again that our line of Frontier ought to be such as will give us a good defensive position, and also a good position for moving in any direction which the interests of India may demand. Beyond that I will not go. These are questions for military exports; but the point which the noble Lord has put forward must meet our attention, and I do not believe it has in any degree escaped the attention of my noble Friend near me.
§ EARL STANHOPEasked when it was likely that the next Blue Book on the Afghan Question would be issued? He maintained that it appeared monstrous that the House and the country should not be kept in darkness as to the proceedings on this question.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYsaid, the answer was simple. Until the Government had come to some conclusion in the negotiations with Russia, he sup- 1011 posed that every man of business would think it singularly imprudent and injurious to the Public Service to produce the documents to which the noble Earl had referred.
§ EARL STANHOPEsaid, Parliament had been most distinctly promised by Mr. Gladstone that the further Papers up to the time of the Penjdeh tight should be presented before the Whitsuntide Recess.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYsaid, lie could not go beyond what he had just stated. The documents regarding the interviews with the Ameer could not be produced while negotiations were going on. It would be contrary to every principle of business to do so. That was the only reason why the documents had not been produced. It was the duty of the Government, when they were actually engaged in an important negotiation, to see that documents which would prejudice them or place them at a disadvantage should not be produced.
§ EARL STANHOPEsaid, he did not for one moment presume to ask for documents referring to negotiations which were pending, but only for Papers relating to the Penjdeh incident and the Rawul Pindi Conference.
§ EARL GRANVILLEFurther Papers which have been promised will be presented.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYsaid, he was speaking with regard to particular matters referred to in their communications with the Ameer.
THE EARL OF GALLOWAYWill the Papers be produced during the Recess? The Prime Minister promised them last week.
§ EARL GRANVILLEWe hope to be able to do so.