After the Russo-Afghan Secret Treaty was signed, King Emir only breathed a temporary sigh of relief. In truth, he trusted none of the Western nations. His alliance with Russia had been born of sheer necessity.
As Britain and Russia began their contest in Central Asia, Afghanistan, as a small nation, simply lacked the strength to remain neutral. It had to choose a side.
Frankly speaking, neither Britain nor Russia was a good choice. Both were eyeing Afghan territory.
The Russians' friendliness existed only because their reach did not yet extend this far. Drawing Afghanistan in could not only obstruct the British, but more importantly, increase the odds of success for their southward strategy.
Precisely because Russia could not reach that far, Emir had dared to ally with them without restraint. If Afghanistan had truly become Russia's neighbor, Emir would never have dared sign this treaty.
This was no baseless fear. Looking at the Russian Empire's many neighbors, aside from powerful Austria, which one had not been invaded by the Russians?
That fact alone was enough to explain everything. Thus, even as he moved closer to Russia, King Emir had not given up on easing relations with the British.
Even though Emir knew the British were constantly plotting against Afghanistan, there was nothing to be done. If a small nation wished to survive, its politicians could not hold grudges.
King Emir refused in righteous tones, "Mr. Walters, your country's demands are excessive. We are capable of protecting our own security and do not need your country to station troops here.
"No sovereign nation in the world can tolerate another country stationing troops on its own soil."
After days of probing, Walters had become keenly aware that this was the Afghan government's bottom line. There was no room for negotiation.
"Your