eventual outcome will be, it is impossible to foresee.
The practical difficulties which China has imposed on herself are
enormous, and may prove insuperable, but it is evident that the
gradual reduction and eventual extinction of the revenue that
India has derived from the trade, has been brought a stage nearer,
and it is necessary for us to be prepared for whatever may
happen."

He added that twenty years ago, or even less, the prospect of losing a
revenue of five and a half crores of rupees a year would have caused
great anxiety, and even now the loss to Indian finances would be
serious, and might necessitate recourse to increased taxation. But if,
as they had a clear right to expect, the transition was effected
with due regard to finance, and was spread over a term of years, the
consequence need not be regarded with apprehension.

When I approach military expenditure, and war and the dangers of
war, I think I ought to say a word about the visit of the Ameer of
Afghanistan, which excited so much attention, and kindled so lively an
interest in great parts, not only of our own dominions, but in Asia.
I am persuaded that we have reason to look back on that visit with
entire and complete satisfaction. His Majesty's Government, previously
to the visit of the Ameer instructed the Governor-General in Council
on no account to open any political questions with the Ameer. That was
really part of the conditions of the Ameer's visit; and the result
of that policy has been to place our relations with the Ameer on an
eminently satisfactory footing, a far better footing than would have
been arrived at by any formal premeditated convention. The Ameer
himself made a speech when he arrived at Kabul on his return, and I
am aware that in this speech I come to a question of what may seem
a Party or personal character, with which it is not in the least my
intention to deal. This is what the Ameer said on 10th April--

"The officers of the Government of India never said a word on
political matters, they kept their promise. But as to myself,
whenever and wherever I found an opportunity, I spoke indirectly
on several matters which concerned the interests of my country and
nation. The other side never took undue advantage of it, and
never discussed with me on those points which I mentioned. His
Excellency's invitation (Lord Minto's) to me was in such a proper
form, that I had no object