"I do not undervalue the many influences which will always oppose any policy entailing expense. But if the present question is found to be--How shall we guard against a terrible menace to our Indian Empire? any cost to be incurred can hardly be admitted as a reason which ought to influence our course. Magnanimous trustfulness in the virtue and guilelessness of rival states; distrust and denunciation of all who would chill this inverted patriotism by words of warning; refusal of all measures demanding expense which do not promise a pecuniary return:--such is the kind of liberality of sentiment which may ruin great nations. The qualities of the lamb may be very excellent qualities, but they are specially inapplicable to dealings with the wolf. Do those who shrink from expense think that the presence of Russia in Afghanistan will be inexpensive to us? Will the weakness which will be the temptation and the opportunity of Russia be less costly than effectual defence? When we enter the councils of Europe to assert our most vital interests, shall we speak as we have been accustomed to speak, when our free action is fettered by the imminent perpetual menace to India? These are questions which, now put forth to this limited audience, will, perhaps, within the experience of most of us, be thundered in the ears of the nation. England is just now not without serious perplexities, but none are so fraught with possibilities of mischief as the storm which is now gathering on the Afghan frontier." LIST OF AUTHORITIES. [Footnote: Unless otherwise designated, the authors named are officers of the British Army, and nearly all the works are in the Library of the Military Service Institution of the United States, (Governor's Island, N. Y. H.).] [Source 1: Journal Royal United Service Institution (London).] [Source 2: Journal of the United Service Institution of India (Simla).] ANDERSON, Capt. "A Scheme for Increasing the Strength of the Native Armies," etc. [2] ARMY LIST, British Official, 1885. BIDDULPH, Gen. "The March from the Indus to the Helmund." [2] BELLEW, H. W., C.S.I. "A New Afghan Question." [2] BENGOUGH, Lieut-Col. "Mounted Infantry." [2] (From the Russian.) BISCHOFF, Major. "The Caucasus and its Significance to Russia." (Ger.) [2] BLUNDELL, Col. "British Military Power with Reference to War Abroad." [1] BAKER, Col. "The Military Geography of Central Asia." [1] COLQUHOUN, Capt. "On the Development of the Resources of India in a Military Point of View." [2] CANTLEY, Major. "Reserves for the Indian Army." [2] CALLEN, Major. "The Volunteer Force of India," etc. [2] CAVENAGH, Gen. "Our Indian Army." [1] CHAPMAN, Lieut-Col. "The March from Kabul to Kandahar in 1880." [1] CLARKE, Capt, "Recent Reforms in the Russian Army." [1] CUST, R., Sec. R.A.S. "The Russians on the Caspian and Black Seas." [1] DAVIDSON, Major. "The Reasons why Difficulty is Experienced in Recruiting for the Native Army." [2]