The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-05
AFFAIRS IN EUROPE.


The Quarrel Of England with Persls.
from the London Post, Oct 10
The Las: mail which left for La dia carried wish y
an expression OF surprise that the announcement OF
an impending war with Persia should have excited so
little interest in England-"should have fallen still
BORN to quote the exact words employed upon the
English public Bur this is hardly fair state nent
of the case. The British public, remembering the
enormous sacrifice of blood and treasure and, what
is of more importance, of national honor-on that
occasion, cannot view with Indifference the prepa-
ratons for expedition OF an almost kindred char
acter. The reasons why the English press has not
been stirred up, like the Indian press, 10 sudden
burst Of indignation at the prospect or sach prod-
gal wasting of our resources arethat IT is probably
better acquainted with the merits Of the question st
ISSUE with the dangers that threaten US on the one
side, and means OF averting them on the other;
above ALL that the intelligence from Bombay has not
taken the public in this country by SURPRISE but has
been practically expected ever since Mr.. Vernon
Smith towards the close OF the session, declared in
his place in Parliament that the Persians could not
be allowed to occupy Herat in direct violation of
their engagement TO the British government SO
long, moreover as there was a reasonable hope OF
tain silence, lest by prematurely touching upon
tender points il might increase the difficulties OF the
situation. But matters would seem recently to have
become really critical; we may be plunge in actual
war at any moment by the slightest indiscretion on
the part Of commanders, or even by the natural
and necessary course of events and IL is row. there
FORE equally the duty of the press to furnish the
public, as far 1t is able, with statement of the
grounds Of quarrel, and Of the important interests
at stake.
It is then, at the outset, matter OF sincere con-
graduation that for the present we are quit OF the
miserable Mrs. Hashem affair. Mr.. Murray may
have had a right, according to usage, 10 depute
Mr.. Hashem as he Minister'S agent 20 Shiraz,
though the appointment is not provided for by
treaty; he may have also had the right, &C cord
ing to usage to insist on the release OF Mrs. Hashem
from Imprisonment, IS The wife Of pTotege Of the
mission, though the lady was 9. the blood royal Of
Persia, and sister to q wife Of The Shah; but few
will be hardy enough TO maintain that The negation
Of such rights by the Persian government required
to be avenged by declaration OF war. If 1t had
and to Tepe
imputaton Of improper motives to our representative
for his interest in the Princesss behalf, the with
drawal of our mission from the court, and the sIs
pension Of all diplomatic relations, would have amply
testified to our offended dignity. No British Minis
ter could have down to the house and announced
that, on such pretext, he had sent an army to in
wade Persia, regardless Of the financial distress to
which such step must lead IA India, and OF tae
political complications which it might entail in
Europe.
Our present quarrel rests on no such flimsy
grounds We are preparing for war because Persia
has violated an express engagement into which she
entered with az in the year 1853 and because that
violation is held to nfict on as very serious pe-
ltcal injury. The value Of Herat, considered as the
key Of India, which, in Inc even. OF war, will be
the turning point of al argument on the subject, is
q separate question, that may be conveniently re-
served for discussion on future occasion. Suffice
it, for the moment, TO say that the paramount i'm
porance of Hsrat is standard article OF faith with
all Eastern diplomatists. From its geographical
position, as the halfway house between Russia and
1ndia-from the extraordinary prodactiveness OF the
valley in which the town is stuated-rom the faci.
lities which the local features afford for converting
the place into a stronghold as formidable to our
~, al ~ nr.stn
tnople-t has been judged Of the first necessity to
preserve the independence Of the Principaty-to
prevent it, at any rate from falling under the rule
Of Persia, and being thus liable, in Que course, t.
be transferred TO Russian occupancy.
II was TO carry out this preventive policy-Herat
being at that time besie-ea by the Shab-that the
army of the Indus was assembled in 1898, and thai,
at the same rime we occupied the Island OF karak,
in the Persian Gulf; and after three years sus.
pension Of relations, IL was only when Persia had
evacuated Ghorian, and had withdrawn her las
man from the Hera, territory, that, In ls4l we az
length consented TO replace our mission at the Court
of The Shah. So long as Var Mahomed ruled IN be
rat. though be coquetted vigorously with Persia,
there Io occasion on our part for giving further
interfeience but il different when the old Vizier
died. in 1852, and left the governme II IN the hands
Of his dissolute and incapable son. This IN worthy
prince, Said Mahomed Khan by name, assailed By
treason within the walls and repeatedly threatened
by the Candahsr forces from without, voluntarily
threw himself into the arms Of Persia, and offered
10 place the Shah in possession OF the town Under
such circumstances TO save Herat in spite of ITSELF
seemed all but hopeless still, however, the attempt
was made, and although Said Mah0mcd's offer had
been accepted under the pressure OF the threatened
rupture OF the British alliance the SHAH at the last
moment, consented 70 sign convention with Colo
mel Shiel, binding Persia not to send any military
forces to Herat unless the place were directly at
tackled by foreign enemies and assistance we're de.
man6ed from Teheran. IL Is this convention which
Is so often spoken Of as the treaty oil 1858. The
mot IN ng
they were the best we were able TO obtain at the
time, and they furnish sufficient justification for
the expedition We are now organizing.
Events followed each other in rapid succession.
Herst continued from that time forward closely
leagued with Persia. Said Mahomed Khan sent hts
turbulent mobiles hostages 70 Teheran, arranging
with the Shahs oficers-who formed their escort
that they should be poisoned on the road, which
was accordingly done. In return, the Herat govern
ment adopted all the outward formula Of dependence
upon Persia and Kohendi Khan, OF Candahar, IN.
willing 10 come into collision with Persia, TO which
Power he always progressed the utmost Difference,
called himself the Shahs vassal. Persia, in the
meantime, was yacillating between the British and
Ru .sian alliance, doubtful whether by Joining
Turkey and England in an invasion or Georgia,
she should aim at the recovery OF her alienated
provinces beyond the AYras; or whether, by throw.
ing her weight into the Russian scale, she should
rather seek 10 in1llee her natural instinct Of az
to the eastward. Accident appears
to have decided her. Three events occurred.
almost simultaneously, which inclined the baincG
against MS. !. revolution broke out at He.
rat Said Mabomed Khan was murdered, AMI
Shahzada Yussouf Of the old SCddezye royal FANNY,
and grandson OF Hajee Firoz, who had long been
refugee in Persia was invited 70 assume the govern
ment 2. Kohendil Khan. the old chief Of CandA.
hsr also died, and Dos, Mahomed Khan, who had
lately entered into alliance with the British govern
ment came down and occupied the country, to the
prejudice OF the deceased Sirdar's immediate rela.
lives. 3. Mr. Murray, IN consequence Of the Mira
Hashem affair, hauled down bis flag. and placed the
Persian and British governments In state Of quos
hostility with each other. Under the influence 81
the feelings excited by these events, the Shshs pru
dence appears to have deserted him, and he tnres
down the gauntlet TO England By despatching =
military force 10 Herat
SO far, all that has been stated Is matter Of publ:
nooriey; but there is secret history attached %
al political transactions Of any moment, and the
secret history OF this Hcrat expedition, the results
OF which we cannot vet foresee, Is sarousy related.
According TO one party, Persia, under the guse 81
was playing double game Throughout
the war-afiectfng sympathy with the allies, while,
In reality, she sided with Russia; aud the under.
standing, II Is further stated, vas complete be.
tween the two governments, tuat, A the cOmmsnre-