The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-11

Russia In Asia
One OF the organs of the Russian govern
msnt in reviewing the military strength OF the
empire makes the effective of the active army
in time of war eleven hundred thousand men,
and adds that by reducing this about two hun
dred thousand regular troops, which are re-
quired for garrisoning the Caucasus, Siberia,
and Turkestan, there would be lief. to oppose
Western Europe nearly nine hundred thousand
men. Now we have no idea that Russia main
tains this enormous force with the expectation
that she will be called upon to use it against
Western Europe. 1t is not likely that any
European Power or combination of Powers will
invade Russia or make war on her unless she
becomes aggressive. This parade Of military
strength is not made because there is any dan
ger of Western Europe attacking Russia nor
because Russia expects 10 be engaged in such
another war as that of the Crimea. She has
entered upon another role, and the talk about
Europe Is only to disguise that. She is adyanc-
ing in Central Asia Expansion in some direc-
ton is the hereditary policy Of Russia. For
| long time and up to the Crimean war her am
bilious eye was fixed on Constantinople. Her
conquests, both by arms and diplomacy, were
| directed to driving the Turks across the Bos-
phorus and out of Europe. She was always
watching for an opportunity to seize the effects
| OF the "sick man." Her ambition has been
| effectually checked in that direction by the
| Crimean war and the answering purpose OF
| the Western Powers toprotect Turkey. Hence
she has changed her policy, and instead OF
attempting TO advance towards Constantinople
she is advancing to Central Asia and to the
| confines of China aud India. The idea of
| Peter the Great to aim at Constantinople is
superseded by that of Alexander, the present
Emperor, to organize and civilize all Central
Asia, thus leaving the Sultan to see what he
can do with Asia Minor.
Russia will hold sufficient force in Europe
out Of her immense army to maintain the pres
tige of her power there and the tranquility Of
her dominion; but her active forces are en-
ployed beyond the Caspian. She is pushing
her conquests in Turkestan and Bokhara, and
no doubt intends to reach the British possess
sions along the line Of the Hindoo Koosh
Mountains on one hand and to penetra to
Mongolia on the other. Her gaze now is fixed
towards India, China and the North Pacific
Ocean. Nor is it by arms alone that Russia is
extending her dominion and influence. She is
pushing rapidly her railroads and the tele-
graph into those parts of Asia. Already there
is line of telegraph to and along the Amoor
river and completed within fourteen hundred
miles across the whole Continent. Her over
land trade with China is now very large, but
through these agencies and the navigation of
that magnificent river, the Amoor, it will be
vastly increased, and both England and the
United States will find before long formidable
rival in those countries of Asia facing the
North Pacific Ocean. II was from Central
Asia that the great hordes came which swept
down upon and overran Europe in early
times, and now the refux tide has set
| in. The European races are turning
back upon Asia. Russia certainly is
intent on extending and consolidating
her empire to the eastward and centre of that
| Continent The trade of China is one Of the
chief prizes for which Russia is aiming. In
| fact, that is the prize for which most of the
| great nations are striving. While Russia is
pressing forward by land across the Continent
and England by the way Of India, America is
developing her intercourse across the Pacific.
| This, then, has been the change of Russian
policy within few years. policy which
relieves Turkey of apprehension and which
| gives new direction to Russian ambition. But
all the great Powers of Europe have changed
| their policy as well as Russia. Every one is
| endeavoring to consolidate and strengthen
itself within established or natural limits
Prussia aims to unite the German race under
one government, Austria to combine the vari-
Gus elements of the hereditary States of her
empire and to maintain herself as great
| Power in the South and East of Europe,
France to develop her natural resources in
order to make herself rich and powerful that
she may be feared and, in a measure, be the
arbter of Europe, and England to avoid Euro
pean wars and complications and to extend her
conquests and commerce in Asia, Africa and
other parts of the globe. The day of Holy
Alliances to fight revolutions or to break down
some obnoxious Power is past Each great
| nation acts for itself in some r6le adapted to
its own situation and development, and all are
endeavoring to keep up with the wonderful
progress Of the age. The telegraph, railroads,
steam power and the press are changing the
| policy and international relations Of all coun-
| tries.
! wnntsd-A Few More Hundred Thousand
NiGger~.