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.