New-York tribune., 1868-06-01
THE RUSSIANS IN CENTRAL ASIA.

DISPATCHES have been received in London
from Bombay, which announce that bloody
battle has been fought between the Russians and
the Khan of Bobhara, and that it resulted In
great victory for the Russians, thedeath OF the
Khan and the occupation of the City OF Box
hara, the capital of the Khanate of the same
name, by the Russians. The Indian dispatches
on the advance of the Russians in Asia are
not always to be trusted and moie than once
they have met with a fiat denial on the part
of the Russians; but as the English Govern,
ment in India now keeps secret and trust
worthy agents in Central Asia to watch the
movements of the Russians, it is probable that
information of such importance would not be
transmitted from Bombay to London without
being substantially correct.
Supposing therefore. the correctness OF the
dispatch, its importance is manifest. The pro-
eress of the Russians in Central Asia is one OF
the greatest occurrences In the whole recent
history of Asia. Gradually and steadily
they have advanced southward, enlarging
their territory at the expense Of the larger
neighbOring countries, and wholly absorbing
the weak ones During the last few years 1t
has been, in particular, the gradual annexation
of Turkistan or Independent Tartary which has
attracted public attention. Turkistan was n
large division of Central Asia, bounded on the
north 10y Asiatic Russia, and on the south by
Affghanistan and British India. It's area was
estimated at nearly 100000 square miles. IL
consisted of n number of independent States
or khanatcs, of which Khiya, i'll the north
west, Khokand, in the northeast, and Box
hara, in the south. were the most important.
The first attack of the Russians was directed
against Khiva, the whole of which has now
for several years been in their possession. The
subection of KhOkand was completed in 1865
In the same year the Russian province of
Turkistan was organized, completing the incor-
poratOn Of the conquered territory with Rus
sia. A war against Bokhara has since that
time been going on. Last year it was reported
that peace had been concluded between
Russia and Bokhara, but as the important
news in our issue of to-day shows, the peace
has not been of duration. The war has re-
commenced, and has ended in the conquest of
Bokhara and the death of its ruler. Thus
all the important States of what was formerly
Independent Tartary, are held by Russia. The
nominal independence of Bokhara may be
allowed TO continue for short time, but
virtually it will be as much dependent upon
Russia as Poland and Finland.
In consequence of this war, Russia becomes
the almost immediate neighbor Of British India.
Only few miles now separate the two great
empires, and this small barrier may, Of course,
be removed at the pleasure of either govern
ment at any moment. Russia protests that she
has no hostile intentions against England; but
it is easy to see what formidable neighbor she
is to India. The Russian Government is has
tening the construction of railroad which will
connect the new province with st. Petersburg.
AS moreover, the Caspian Sea constitutes
the entire western frontier of Turkistan, she
can at any time convey there large army
by steamboat. And as regards the future,
it is almost certain that the thin population of
Turkstan-only about 7,0O0,O00-will soon DO
absorbed by the Russian nationality. That En-
gland is without any of these advantages, was
but a few years ago clearly shown by the Sepoy
insurTection. Even If, therefore, q war between
Russia and England should be avoided for
many years to come, the strength Of the Rus
slams cannot fail to be o cause Of great and
lasting alarm TO the English.