Chapter LXXVIII: Appendix: VII

(Referred to in Chapter LIII, Footnote 3.)

_Translations of letters from _GENERAL-ADJUTANT VON KAUFFMANN, _Governor-General of Turkestan, to the address of the_ AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN, _received on 10th, Shaban, 1295, through_ GENERAL STOLIETOFF, _9th August, 1878._

Be it known to you that in these days the relations between the
British Government and ours with regard to your kingdom require
deep consideration. As I am unable to communicate my opinion
verbally to you, I have deputed my agent, Major-General
Stolietoff. This gentleman is a near friend of mine, and performed
excellent services in the Russo-Turkish war, by which he earned
favour of the Emperor. The Emperor has always had a regard for
him. He will inform you of all that is hidden in my mind. I hope
you will pay great attention to what he says, and believe him as
you would myself, and, after due consideration, you will give him
your reply. Meanwhile, be it known to you that your union and
friendship with the Russian Government will be beneficial to
the latter, and still more so to you. The advantages of a close
alliance with the Russian Government will be permanently evident.

This friendly letter is written by the Governor-General of
Turkestan and Adjutant-General to the Emperor, Von Kauffmann,
Tashkent, Jamadial Akbar, 1295 ( = June, 1878).

_To the_ AMIR _of the whole of Afghanistan_, SHER ALI KHAN.

(After compliments.) Be it known to you that our relations with
the British Government are of great importance to Afghanistan and
its dependencies. As I am unable to see you, I have deputed my
trustworthy (official) General Stolietoff to you. The General
is an old friend of mine, and during the late Russo-Turkish war
earned the favour of the Emperor by his spirit and bravery. He has
become well known to the Emperor. This trustworthy person will
communicate to you what he thinks best. I hope you will pay
attention to what he says, and repose as much confidence in his
words as if they were my own; and that you will give your answer
in this matter through him. In the meantime, be it known to you
that if a friendly treaty will be of benefit to us, it will be of
far greater benefit to yourself.

GENERAL STOLIETOFF _sent the following letter, on his return to Tashkent from Kabul, to the address of the Foreign Minister, _WAZIR SHAH MAHOMED KHAN, _dated 23rd of the holy month of Ramazan, 1295 ( = 21st September, 1878)._

Thank God, I reached Tashkent safely, and at an auspicious moment
paid my respects to the Viceroy (Yaroni Padishah means 'half
king'). I am trying day and night to gain our objects, and hope I
shall be successful. I am starting to see the Emperor to-day, in
order to inform His Majesty personally of our affairs. If God
pleases, everything that is necessary will be done and affirmed.
_I hope that those who want to enter the gate of Kabul from the
east will see that the door is closed; then, please God, they will
tremble._ I hope you will give my respects to His Highness the
Amir. May God make his life long and increase his wealth! May you
remain in good health, and know that the protection of God will
arrange our affairs!

(Signed) GENERAL STOLIETOFF.

_From_ GENERAL KAUFFMANN _to the_ AMIR, _dated Tashkent, 8th Zekada, 1295 ( = 22nd October, 1878)._

(After compliments.) Be it known to you that your letter, dated
12th Shawal, reached me at Tashkent on the 16th October, _i.e._,
3rd Zekada, and I understood its contents. I have telegraphed an
abstract of your letter to the address of the Emperor, and
have sent the letter itself, as also that addressed to General
Stolietoff, by post to Livadia, where the Emperor now is. I am
informed on good authority that the English want to come to terms
with you; and, as a friend, I advise you to make peace with them
if they offer it.

_From_ GENERAL STOLIETOFF _to_ WAZIR SHAH MAHOMED KHAN, _dated 8th October 1878._

First of all, I hope you will be kind enough to give my respects
to the Amir. May God make his life long and increase his wealth!
I shall always remember his royal hospitality. I am busy day and
night in his affairs, and, thank God, my labours have not been
without result. The great Emperor is a true friend of the Amir's
and of Afghanistan, and His Majesty will do whatever he may think
necessary. Of course, you have not forgotten what I told you,
that the affairs of kingdoms are like a country which has many
mountains, valleys, and rivers. One who sits on a high mountain
can see things well. By the power and order of God, there is no
empire equal to that of our great Emperor. May God make his life
long! Therefore, whatever our Government advises you, you should
give ear to it. I tell you the truth that our Government is wise
as a serpent and harmless as a dove. There are many things which
you cannot understand, but our Government understands them well.
It often happens that a thing which is unpleasant at first is
regarded as a blessing afterwards. Now, my kind friend, I inform
you that the enemy of your famous religion wants to make peace
with you through the Kaisar (Sultan) of Turkey. Therefore you
should look to your brothers who live on the other side of the
river. If God stirs them up, and gives the sword of fight into
their hands, then go on, in the name of God (Bismilla), otherwise
you should be as a serpent; make peace openly, and in secret
prepare for war, and when God reveals His order to you, declare
yourself. It will be well, when the Envoy of your enemy wants to
enter the country, if you send an able emissary, possessing the
tongue of a serpent and full of deceit, to the enemy's country, so
that he may with sweet words perplex the enemy's mind, and induce
him to give up the intention of fighting with you.

My kind friend, I entrust you to the protection of God. May God be
the protector of the Amir's kingdom, and may trembling fall upon
the limbs of your enemies! Amen.

Write to me soon, and send the letter to the capital. Please write
in Arabic characters, so that I may be able to read your letter.

_From_, GENERAL KAUFFMANN _to the_ AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN, _dated 30th Zekada (=26th November,_ 1878).

(After compliments.) I was much pleased to receive your letter,
dated 24th Zekada, 1295 (=18th November, 1878), and to hear of
your good health. I have also received a copy of the letter which
you sent to the Governor-General. May God be pleased with you. The
British Ministers have given a pledge to our Ambassador in London
that they will not interfere with the independence of Afghanistan.
I am directed by His Majesty the Emperor to communicate this news
to you, and then, after forming friendship, to go to His Majesty.
I intend to go to the Russian capital after I have arranged the
affairs of this country (Turkestan). As I do not consider it
advisable to keep your trusted officials, whom you are in want
of, here any more, I send Mahomed Hassan Khan, Kamuah
(Deputy-Governor), and Gholam Haidar Khan, with two officers, back
to you. I hope you will consider me a well-wisher of your kingdom,
and write to me now and then. I have given instructions that,
until my return, every letter of yours which they receive at
Turkestan should be forwarded to the capital. Your good fortune is
a cause of happiness to me, and if any troubles come upon you, I
also shall be grieved. Some presents have been sent by me through
Mirza Mahomed Hassan, Kamuah; perhaps they may be accepted.

_Translation of a letter from,_ GENERAL KAUFFMANN _to_ GENERAL VOZGONOFF, _dated Zel Hijja,_ 1295 _(=December,_ 1878).

The Amir knows perfectly well that it is impossible for me to
assist him with troops in winter. Therefore it is necessary that
war should not be commenced at this unseasonable time. If the
English, in spite of the Amir's exertions to avoid the war,
commence it, you must then take leave of the Amir and start for
Tashkent, because your presence in Afghanistan in winter is
useless. Moreover, at such a juncture as the commencement of war
in Afghanistan, you ought to come here and explain the whole thing
to me, so that I may communicate it to the Emperor. This will be
of great benefit to Afghanistan and to Russia.

_From_ GENERAL KAUFFMANN _to the_ AMIR OF AFGHANISTAN, dated _25th December,_ 1878 _(Russian, 13th Muharram,_ 1296).

Your letter, dated 27th Zel Hijja (=20th November), 1878, has
reached me. I was pleased to hear tidings of your good health.
The Emperor has caused the British Government to agree to the
continuance of Afghan independence. The English Ministers have
promised this. I earnestly request you not to leave your kingdom.
As far as possible, consider your own interests, and do not lose
your independence. For the present come to terms with the British
Government. If you do not want to go back to Kabul for this
purpose, you can write to your son, Mahomed Yakub Khan, to make
peace with the English as you may direct him. Do not leave the
soil of Afghanistan at this time, because it will be of benefit
to you. My words are not without truth, because your arrival in
Russian territory will make things worse.

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