Afghanistan. A telegram from the Viceroy, dated yesterday, itates that the rearmost brigade of Genera Stewart's force had reached Gandamak without firinga shot. He also says that the situation at Cabul is generally satisfactory, though there have been some slight disturbances in the city. The feeling of the population, save among the lowest cLasses, is not unfriendly to us. No intelligence of any gathering at Ghazni had reached Cabul, and it is not believed that General Roberts will have any fighting north of Khelat-i-Ghilzai. This is satisfactory. The muost critical part of General Stewart's march has now been accomplished, and ho has got so far without any compromising result tbatwe may look with confidence to a peaceful ter- mination of his journey, except, perhaps, in so far that desultory attacks on stragglers and the bag- gage may be made while threading the Ehyber by the predatory tribes of the district. KHELAT-I-GHILZAI TO CANDAHAR. We published a few days ago an itinerary of the road between Cabul and Candahar. The itinerary gave valuable detailed information of the route which is being followed by General Roberts. A few words, however, respecting the country about to be traversed by that officer in his daring expedition may be of interest. Ad- vancing from Ghazni, the climate becomes warmer and the harvest earlier. The road slopes downwards towards Candabar, but so gradually that the ipcline is not perceived. The road runs along the right bank of the Turnuk, and is fair for Afghanistan. The valley runs between cliff-like banks, from the top of which to the foot of the moamtains extend glacis-like slopes of stony barren ground. In the actual valley there is an abundance of forage for horses and camels. There is, also, plenty of cultivation. The river contains but little water at this time of the year, and can everywhere be easily crossed. Into the river fall many water courses and small streams. To avoid these, the road generally runs close under the cliffs above-mentioned. As, however, theriver sometimes flows under the cliffs, the road occa- sionally mounts the latter or descends into the bed of the stream. It is evident from the above that if flankers proceed along the top of the cliffs the march of the main body can be protected from de- sultory attacks. At Gorine General Nott, advan- cing from Candahar, had a smart action with the enemy and completely defeated them. At Ahmed Khol, General Stewart, a few months ago, had a similar success. We scarcely antioipate any regular engagement between General Roberts and an Afghan army but there is every pro- bability that he wili have a few skirmishes. That wve have not heard of General Roberta's pro- gress during the last eight days need cause no un- easiness. We expected this dearth of intelligence, but we may be sure we should have heard any bad news quickly enough. It must be remembered that it -would take some time for even a mounted messenger to reach the telegraph terminus either in the Euram Valley or at Gandaniak- from Ghazni. Besides a mounted mes- senger would scarcely venture to ride openly through the country. By this time General Roberts has probably passed Ghazni, and to suppose that the presenco of General Stewart at Cabul could have given him any support after the first three or four marches is to argue in ignorance of Afghans and Afghanistan. If General Roberts had7been compelled by opposition or scarcity of food or transport to fall back on Cabul the wholo country would have surged up around him and his retreat would have been more disastrous than that of General Monson. The same argument applies to the whole of the march. General Roherts must advance7'uninterruptedly. We publish to-day a letter from Sir William Palliser, in which he discusses the subject from his own point of view. General Roberts, however, we believe, can overthrow any Earmy which may venture to oppose him. His only difliculty lies in food and transport. As to ithe :former, he has evidently got more than the tea and sugar which General Stewart thinks he may fall short of by the end of his march. We believe that he started with 30 days' food of every sort for the European troops, for we know that sheep ac- company his column, and the commissariat, no doubt, carry with thom preserved meats and biscuit. UInder any other supposition General Stewart's telegram would have no meanin. - I-euters telegram from Simla of yesterday's date says that Ayoob Ehan's army bas taken up positions on three sides of the city. We may feel tolerably confident that the three sides in question are the south, west, and north. The citadel, we may mention, is on the north side. The town is scarcely defensiblo againat escalade, owing to its size and the smallness of the garrison, which, by the arriv;kl of the two regiments mentioned by Lord Hartington, has been raised to upwards of 4,600 effective fighting men. This is especially the case if the escalade were made at night at several points. From a siege in which the besiegers seek to take the place by first making breaches and then assaulting them there is little to fear, for the besiegers, by concentrating and indicating' their efforts, would enable the garrison to concentrate thjo resistance. Nothing would suit General Prim- rose bsettr, indeed, than an endeavour to storm a breach. lt is, however, to be hoped that, if only to raise the m"orctl of the garrison, General Prim- rose will imitate Sir Robert Sale at Jellalabad, and c.ombine ofronce with defence. The issue of a battle between General Phayre and Ayoob Khan, if one should take place before Candahar, cannot be doubtful, stalwart and gallant foes as the Afghans have proved themselves. It is. however, quite as likely as not that on the ap- proach of the relieving army Avoob will fall back and avoid a contest. Under any circurmstances, we must contemplate a march to tlie Helmand, if not beyond it; and a description of the country be- tween that river and Candaharmay therefore prove acceptable. The first march is to Kokeran, about six nmiles from Candahar, and situated on the left bank of the Argandab. The road runs through orchards, gardens, and suburban villages, and crosses nume- rous canals and streams. These are either bridged -the bridges being, however, narrow-or ramps have been cut so as to render the passage easy. An enemy retiring by this road could greatly ob- struct the progress of a pursuer by scarping the ramps and destroying the bridges. The next march is across the Argandab to Jangeri-five miles. The banks are high, but ramps were made by General Biddulph. The ford has a good bottom, and at this time of the year the water is not deep. Beyond the river, which is now about 40 yards wide, six deep unbridged canals have to be crossed. The valley at this part is studded with villages, trees, and cultivation. From Sangeri to Haoz-i-Madad- Kban-14 miles-a canal runs parallel to the road the whole way. The road is good, and a brigade in line might march across the plain which it tra- verses. To Kbusbk-i-Nakhud the distance is a lttle short of 16 miles. No water is obtainable eni route, though the road crosses several water- courses. These, however, are always dry save for a short time after heavy rain. At Khushk-i- Nakhud there is an abundant supply ot water frorm two watercourses. Forage and food are scarce. At Atta Karez, about 10 miles short of Xhushk-i-Nalkbud the road bifurcates; the re- gular road skirts the foot of the bills, the othor runs alongside of the Argandab,and passes through a better-supplied district. For the first 10 miles -f tha usual route tha road is good; it then enters upon touth g aoond and threAds deep sanahils Khak-i-Olopan, nine mileb five furlongs, is the next halting-place. The road is generally gobd and level, but towards the end of the inarcih there are undulations, and for a short distance the road is sandy. It crosses six ar seven canals. Forage for camels is obtained at the camping-ground, and two or three miles to the south are villages surrounded by gardens and cultivation. Water is only fairly plentiful. General Abbott speaks of threading sand-hills for the last rDile and of being encamped close to a grove on the banks of a little stream. To Abboya, on the left bank of the Helmand, is 22 miles 5 furlongs. The road descends consider- ably and passes over anl arid sandy desert. There is only ono place, nearly half-way, where water is to be obtained. The source of supply is from a well, and Captain Marsh, who passed it in December, 18'6, speaks of it as liquid mud. The road is good the first part of the march, but towards the lattor portion it is in places sandv. There is very little cultivation at Abboya, but plenty of forage for horses and camels. The water supply is abundant. Tho left bank of the river is higher than the right bank, but General Biddulph in his expedition to the Helmand in the beginning of last year caused roads to be made from the plateau on the left bank down to the level of the stream and across the valley on the other side. There are several fords both below and above Abboya: the one at the latter place, where there is also a ferry, is the best and the one most generally used. Captain Marsh says that the Helmand, in Dlecember,1876,was 100yards broad, 3Ift. deep, and split up into many small streams. The current was rapid. In MIay, when the river is at it height, it is a mile broad. This description tallies with General Biddulph's account. On the left bank are swampy meadows and jungle. To a retreating foe encumbered with artillery and baggage the passage of this river would be a very critical operation. AFGHANISTAN.