The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-07
The Invasion Of Pcrsi. by the Russians

GIrom the Calcutta Engliehman, Feb 27l
II is very well for the continental papers to talk
of the British power in this country, if it hung by
thread which any mschievous person may cut at
his pleasure. What has been won by whole century
Of battles will not be lost in campaign. The real
state of the people beyond frontier is better un
derstood than it was twenty years ago, and II that
knowledge has been dearly bought 1t will certainly
be turned to good account. Nobody in India fears
the utmost efforts OF Persans and Affghans, even
backed by the hest army which the Russians can
send against us. we may lie put to considerable ex-
pense-but that is all.
Our relations with Persia might have been much
more satisfactory had not the British government,
there, as in Turkey, been playing the Russians game
for them. BY the treaty Of 1914 the British agreed
to pay subsidy OF 200 900 tomans, (about fl25 000)
to Persia, il attacked by any European power. In
lS2S at the request of Abbas Mira, 400 900 tomans
were given TO enable Persia pay the indemnity due
10 Russia. In Isl3 English officers were with the
Persian troops, and took part in the war with Russia
on tie Georgian frontier. In the war between Rus
sin and Persia in 1926 the Persian army trained
BY British officers, but when it marched to attack
the Russian frontier the British Charge dAairs for
babe them to follow it, for fear OF giving offence to
Russia. In 1888 Colonel Pasmore and Majors Todd
and Laughton OF the Bengal army were sent and
withdrawn for the same reason.
Persia has been thus thrown into the arms Of
Russia, because the British policy could not be
trusted. Had our government aided the army I'M
der Abhas Mira, the Russians might have been
kept within their own boundary instead Of which
they gained whole province, and bound the Per-
Caspian Of which, consequently, they have the en-.
tire command. Had we continued regularly to
subsidize Persia to the present time the whole
would not much have exceeded three millions ster-
ling instead Of some twelve or fourteen millions
expended in the Afghan var, and the probability
/ Of being forced into another war beyond our own
frontier.
There is just now the greatest probability of q
war with Russia II will probably end as European
wars usually do, by all paIties getting tired
fighting, and peace being made with little regard
to the future. What ought to be done for Turkey
is apparent and need not be considered at present ;
but Persia is so much more withdrawn from Euro
pean influences, that unless the Indian government
strongly urges upon the ministry the necessity Of
securing that country against Russian ambition it
will probably be wholly neglected and left to the
mercy Of the Gar. The mere circumstance of hav-
ing taken up arms against our ally viii be urged
as making Persia unworthy of any efforts o.. our
part for its protection, and it will thus become
mere province of Russia. 1t is plain enough that
the present hostile attitude Of Persia proof of
conscious weakness, Of being unable to withstand
the dictation Of Russia: and i included in the next
set of treaties an ally of Russia the Ambassador
of that power will in future be the real Shah. IL
the fortune OF should relieve the Circassians
and the neighboring tribes from the perpetual in
roads Of Russia, strong barrier will be made for
Persia on her northern frontier but her right to
have armed ships on the Caspian ought also TO be
restored or that Of Russia taken away. The Back
sea must be thrown open to all flags or the same
gene will have to be played over again in few
years, whenever circumstances may appear to favor
Rus sian ambition.