The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-26

From the augsburg Gazette
Russia cannot think Of operating in that direction
from the sea- in the west, south and east the Eng
lish dominion is covered against direct attacks from
without; the only possibility Of attack is from the
dtrechon OF the northwest; consequently, that road
Which MalInoud Ghaznevde, Tamerlane and Nadr
shah have iaken to India. Since the last century,
however, Adia has assumed quite diffcrens aspect,
auo ME Old analogies no longer suit her character
Toe hsht cavalry Of the Moogo hordes is not AT all
tsicnatd TO operate sgainst an Anglo Indian army,
w. its s.uropean discipline and provided with ex-
csi'en aery, and which is In possession Of all the
t.ter psssage and strung pJsitons. For more than
halt century the English ave most carefully taken
into consideration all the eventualities under which
ledia might be menaced by foreign foes. Tner best
stan officers have written memorials on the subject
whle the governors who reside In the north are per-
fectly au fai:, aod fully prepared to meet any such
casualty.
Fora army coming from Europe there are only
three ways OF arriving at the Indus through Persia
or Turkstan. Having traversed the steppes and de-
serss In the north the army arrives at parts where
deserts and high mountaius succeed one another al
ternatey. The first way leads from Farsistau and
herman along the Persian Gulf through the district
Of the Beoochees. into the land (now subjected to
she Great took that road to India, and we all know
nom our school books what privatons his troops suf
fered In the desert, and how his feet was obliged to
carry water and provisions along the coast. This
road is, therefore, qnite out Of the question.
The second way leads up the Oxus, through the
Kbsnat Chunday, over the Hindoo Koosh towards
Cabul General Evans gave detail, ed description Of
that part about twenty years ago. Let us suppose
that q Russian amy has actually succeeded in
rayersing the above steppe from Orenburg to China
or Bokha, In about seventy days march; that IL has
happily subjected or drawn into close alliance the
Turcoman races; let US further suppose that they
have arrived without obstacle in the part Of Balkh
whence high mountains extend as far as Cabul, q
distance Of full sixty leagues and the passes over
whish reach height Of from 5000 to 1000 feet.
These passes are, moreover, practicable only from
July 70 September, and are even then extremely un-
safe, on account OF the frequent ravncs in which
almost annually whole caravans are buried. Let Us,
however, stretch the point, and suppose that the
army has, after all its difficulties, succeeded in
arriving at Cabul. Thence to the Indus it will have
10 traverse distance Of ninety leagues more, the
first sixty Of which lead to Peshawur through q
mountainous desert Here it will have TO step over
the Khyber pass, which offers for q distance Of ten
leagues all imaginable obstacles Of nature, and whore
the English had TO endure so much during the war
with the Afsbans that they do not even now think
Of II without apparent horror. It Is true that the
way from Peshawur to Attock, on the Indus, is
practicable for artillery; but 1t leads through narrow
deliles, where small number Of warriors may keep
in check whole army. The Swedish General
Bjornstjena, Tin mis- work on the East Indies, 1897
says that it will require four campaigns before Rus
aan army can possibly arrive at the Indus by way Of
the Hindoo koosh and Cabul.
The third way forms the old caravan road from
Teheran, over Medjd Herst, Candahar. aud Ghuz-
nee 70 Cabul. Suppose now, that Russia could safe
ly count on the loyalty OF Persia woud she be able
10 disembark at Astrnbad troops who would have
to traverse thence to Herat, EGO leagues, anil the
deserts Of Kborazan? From Herat to Cabul, dis
lance OF 120 leagues the road leads 70 Cabn through
wild deserts and number Of passes obstructed by
the rocky mountains Of Afshanistin. The some
what less difficult road, where even artillery may
pass in case Of need, goes through Candahsr, dis
lance Of $50 leagues. From Candsnsr the way
leads to the Indus either through Nitun or Shkar-
poor, distance of from $50 to 200 leagues, the
frst eighty, of which go through . sandy desert,
which Is followed by the 6olmsn Chaio, where the
most diffcnlt spots are 10 be passed, and thence
gained by drcary deserts. Dhe army having at last
arrived Q, the Indus finds itself at the side OF rapid
stream. 5000 PAGES wid., and the other shore Of
which is, no doubt, planted With hostile guns.
Another way leads by Ghuznce 70 csbul dis
tAnce Of l50 leagues and thence 10 Posha ~ur. But
the road which least beses with difficulties is ser.
tainly that by Herst, Candahar, Ghuzpce, Cabul,
and Peshawur to Attock.
The success OF plan to penetrate as far az the
Indus pre- supposes under all circumstances the most
cordial co operation OF Persia as well as the ct least
passive concurrence OF the wnrlke tbes Of the Do
cert and mountains; neither does l. less rs-
quire the garnaoDing Of all important places as
vel as ctsir x reserve corps to secsre the
psssee IL moi. e requires great care in the
supply Of proyis,oAs, and in the deserts q supply
Of water, such ~ an army in cultivated and inhab
tied countr es has not the least idea OF. Suppose
that 100000 men should he put In motion from
China or Astfabad onsfifth at least will be lost
b.ors they arrive At the Indus, while 40 900 s least
must occupy the passes aud places forming the re-
serve. How many coflbatants, then, viii remain at
5hksrpoor or AttockY On the other hand, 900
English troops are surt 70 occupy safe terain OF
operations, full OF freeh vigor and strength; they
have at their dispoeal steamers upon the Indus and
its tributaries they have at their command effective
means Of transport In their own country they pos
sea thousands Of elephants and cames, are used TO
the climate can cross the Indus when and wherever
they like and will tenfold surpass their foe In nsd-