New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-03-17


kand, in par. of Toohistan, comprising ter
ritory about three times the extent of Great
Britain. was annexed to Russia; and we now
learn that the Russian Government has an
nexed the entire territory lying between the sea
of Aral and the Ycshil-kul Lake az Russian
provinces, under the name of Russian ToOrkis-
tan. Yeshil-kul is lake of Chinese TOOfkstan.
situated only short distance from British
India. fit now forms, as the dispatch from
Russia announces, the southern frontier OF the
Russian dominions in Asia, it indicates that
Russia has already absorbed, not only the
larger portion of Independent, but also Of Chi
nese Toorkstan, and that she has approached
much nearerto the frontier of British India than
appeared from the last reports of the English
press.
Even more important for the future Of the
empire, than this consolidation and extension OF
the Russian nationality, are the administrative
reforms. The effects of emancipation are be-
coming more and more apparent in every prov
ince of the empire. The same boon of free.
dom which had been granted to the Russian
peasants in 1861 was conferred upon those OF
Poland in February, 1864. Sweeping reforms
were introduced into the military organization
and the administration of justice. The founda-
ton was laid of an Ton-cad navy. The im-
portant telegraph through Siberia, which is to
establish communication between Europe,
America and Asia, is nearing its completion.
| A popular loan was negotiated to construct
railroad connecting Moscow with the Black
Sea. Public instruction IN the state colleges
(gynlnasia) was entirely reorganized, and great
efforts are making to place them on level
with The same institutions in the most advanced
countries Of Europe
But the most important and far-reachng Of all
these reforms Is the provision tor the introdac'
ton of elective representative assemblies in the
provinces The inauguration of these assemblies
will be the most marked ieatusc in the history
Of Russia during 1865. IE several provinces, the
elections for the Provincial Diets have been
completed, and the first of them is to assemble
IN the course Of the month of March. These
Diets are to pave tire way for the introduction
of O National Representative Assembly.
Considerable surprise was recently produced
by a resolution, adopted in the meeting OF the
nobility of Moscow, by go votes against 81, to
petition the Emperor for convocaiion OF a
National Representative Assembly, represent
ing all classes of the population The petition
was not well received in Petersburg, .or mme-
diately upon learning OF Is adoption the Gov
eminent fastened TO closs the session OF the
nobility. This act Of the Government IL, how
ever, not understood as indicating any opposi-
ton TO the plan of National Representation, but
the nobility Of Moscow, OF the contrary. are
suspected OF having passed the Resolution
merely from the desire Of having any further
reforms in the empire made dependent upon
their consent, and of thus arresting, solar as
possible any further curtalurent Of their pre-
negatives.
The discussion of these projects in the mean
while adds to the political fermentation and
cannot fail to aid III the enlightenment. and
education OF the mass of the people.