The MUSTAUFI then spoke in the following sense:  The interests of England and Afghanistan are the same, and the Amir and his officials are deeply grieved at the late occurrences in Kabul.  Moreover, the Amir is anxious to do whatever the British Government wishes, and most desirous that the dignity of the British Government should be maintained by any means which may seem proper to the Viceroy.  But His Highness cannot conceal from himself that the mutinous troops and his people in general, ryots as well as soldiers, are in fear of an indiscriminate revenge, which will fall alike upon innocent and guilty.  He hopes, therefore, that measures will be taken to guard against the possibility of a general rising consequent on fear.

The Mustaufi was here reminded of the tenor of General Roberts’s Proclamation on 15th September.  He answered that the people were too ignorant to be acted upon by a Proclamation, and then went on as follows: 

Of course, it is possible that no such combination may take place.  The Afghans are selfish, and divided against themselves.  Still, lest he should be blamed if it should occur, the Amir thinks it right to express his opinion, and give the British Government all the information in his power.  On the whole, his advice, as an earnest friend, is that the advance of a British force on Kabul should be delayed for a short time (’Panjroz’).  In the interval he will endeavour to disarm the Regular troops, raise new levies, and, by the aid of the latter, punish all concerned in the late abominable outrage.  His idea is to get rid of Sher Ali’s soldiery—­always a source of danger—­and keep only 15,000 men for the future.  It would be very desirable to delay the advance until he could establish his power.  The Amir does not mean to imply that any Afghan army, were it 50,000 strong, could resist the British.  The mutinous troops have neither organization nor leaders.  But the mutinous troops are of all tribes; and if the British army destroys them, as it would undoubtedly do in case of resistance, the whole country may combine against the British and the Amir.  It is for this reason that he advises delay, and that the punishment of the guilty be left to him.  The Viceroy may rest assured that he will show no mercy.  He will make an example which will be conspicuous in the eyes of the world as the sun at noonday.  Already everyone in Kabul regards the Amir as an infidel, because of the way in which he and his have thrown in their lot with the British Government.

Notwithstanding all that has been said, however, things might go right if the mutinous troops would keep together and attempt a stand.  But the Amir fears they will not do so.  They are more likely to scatter here and there, and raise the country.  In that case there will be constant attacks on the communications of the force, and the gathering of supplies will be difficult.  They would come chiefly from the direction of Ghazni, partly also from Logar.  If the tribes rise it would be hard to collect them.  Only one month remains before the setting in of winter.  Of course, it is impossible to say what may happen.  There may be no opposition, and the Amir is in any case ready to do what the British Government desires.  But he feels it is his duty to express his strong opinion that the present season is unsuited for a forward movement.