The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-28

was commenced, and will probably occupy some
days. When this investigation is concluded the re-
port of the committee accusing Mr. Pease Of appro-
prating money to which he was not entitled will
come up for discussion. See our report elsewhere.
Quite an angry and spirited debate upon the
slavery question is reported to have taken place yes
terday in the Presbyterian General Assembly. See
the despatch from Buffalo
u In addition to the European news our inside
pages to-day contain a graphic report of the pro-
ceedings Of the Anti-Slavery Convention in Boston;
Prospects of the Southern Crops; Commercial,
Legal, Theatrical and Miscellaneous Intelligence, &c.
The Progress OF Russia In Asia-shalr the
World Become COssack!
A game Of chess is now being played on
which the eyes of thinking men are anxiously
fixed. The combatants are the two greatest
powers of Europe, the board the continent Of
Asia, and the stake the sovereignty of some
four or five hundred millions of souls. 1t was
commenced long since, but thus far fortune has
hardly shown any decided preference to either
side. On both, unimportant successes have been
followed by trivial checks, and the shrewdest
observer could not have foreseen few months
ago to which victory would lean. Neither had
NtuluIeO Ou u uiIeCt dlltCh Inc SHOCK Ol war
was yet to come; and the skill of both was alb
sorbed in preparing for its advent.
England had eflectually crushed the native
tribes on the northeastern frontier other Eastern
possessions. Her troops had overrun Cabul,
and picked force occupied the neighborhood
of Peshawur. An occasional recontre with the
mountaineers on the north terminated to her
and revive the discipline of her soldiers. On
the west, an auspicions pretext enabled her to
push forward into Burmah. Despite the blum
ders Of her generals, the British flag had
assembled the Irawaddy and while the artillery
battered Rangoon and menaced Ava the
Goyernor-General had calmly traced out on the
map a new frontier, comprising within the
British domnions nearly the whole of Burmah
and the littoral as far as Penang. Reforms
substantial and practical had been introduced
into the colonial government. A fresh stimu-
lous had been given to trade and agriculture.
and the enrolment of sepoys and native militia
had proceeded with vigor. No symptoms of
relaxation in the British grasp of India could
be dscerned. On the contrary, in every move
receeding was conspicuous Nor did events
presage disappointment for her hopes
afghan ferocity had succumbed to European
discipline. and it was obvious that. if the
Queens deputy chose, Aifghanistan and Beloo-
chistan would soon follow the Punjaub and the
red cross wave on the very borders of Persia.
The tremendous Himalayas might interfere a
tam bar nil b,,tt ba cplo
once under the yoke the road to China was
open, and the rich provinces of the south, dis
organized, disaffected and dstrustful of their
own government, offered an easy prey to the
invader.
Meanwhile, with less show but not less ac-
tual activity, Russia had evinced mastery
skill in the arrangement of her plans. While
England was strengthening her position on the
south. Russia resolved to encroach upon Cen
trail Asia on the north. Three points were
chosen as vulnerable. One was on the from
tier separating Siberia from China, near longi-
tude Ito degrees. The second was on the bor-
ders Of the Sea of Aral. The third was port in
the northern waters Of the Caspian. To these
three points expeditions. which set forth with
were really small armies, had been despatched
The first was ready at a moments warning TO
pour down on Mongolia and the northern Chi
nese provinces The second had vessels and
boats fully equipped to ascend the rivers flow
ing into the Sea Of Aral, and would march
through Bokhara to Tibet, and the Chinese
border on the west; while the third was ready
70 IN ion NV fipcr hn
Of England in the Punjaub. independently Of
these expeditions, larger military and naval
force had been assembled on the home from
tier than Russia had been able to muster in
1912. Difficult as it is to ascertain the real
movements and intentions Of the government Of
the Gar, these matters were well known to
politicians and their net results were anxious
ly looked for.
As we said, the skirmishes which have hither-
to taken place between the rivals have been
unimportant and success evenly divided. If
Palmerston defeated Russian intrigue in
Cabul, the Gar hoodwinked the English in
Turhestan. II British influence has been para
mount at Pekin, the Russians have been the
most popular among the mountain tribes in
Bokhara. Russia has frightened her hold Of
Turkey until extrication has become almost
hopeless; but Sir Stratford Canning has or
posed bold front to her designs, and succeeded
in infusing sort Of manly courage even into
the Divan.
Such were, until few weeks ago, the state
and prospects Of the antagonists. The Chinese
rebellion has changed the face Of affairs. With
the rapidity which usually characteristics the
Russian government, an envoy. with extraor-
binary powers, was despatched to Pekin az
soon az the newe reached St Petersburg