The New York herald., 1868-06-10


there breeding pestilence on our border, or safe
to leave there near us for so many years con-
stant reason and excuse for the interference OF
European Powers in the domestic concerns OF
an American State? Any complication that
tied our hands would produce an empire better
organized than the last For all reasons we
believe that we should absorb Mexico, and we
believe the democrats would do wise thing if
they should make the absorption of that coun-
try feature in their national policy.
Russian Successes In the East-Asla Under
New Conditions.
It is not many years since Asia was COM
paratively sealed book to the Western World.
The British, it was known, had built up q
mighty empire in India, to which they were
year by year making large and important addi-
tions. The British empire in India had in fact
become wonder of the world and the object
of envy to all the monarchies Of Europe. The
success of British arms, however, had driven
the French from Hindostan and from the
Asiatic Continent Russia was the only
European Power besides Great Britain which
had firm foothold in that part of the world.
Territorially the Russian empire in Asia was
infinitely larger than that of Great Britain;
but while Great Britain held possession of an
immense peninsula which was at once more
densely peopled and more productive than any
other part of Asia, Asiatic Russia was barren
and frozen waste and useful chiefly as prison
house for unfortunate Poles
The altered condition of things which modern
science has begotten has FOR some time been
revolutionizing Asia as 1t has already revolu-
tionized Europe and America. The British
have been steadily marching northward until
they have reached the confines of Persia on
the west and of China on the northeast
Russia, meanwhile, yielding to the spirit which
has characterized the Northern races in all
ages, has been just as steadily marching south
ward. The result is that Turkestan has been
the only country which separated Russia and
Great Britain. So matters stood until re-
Gently. Our latest news, however, from that
part of the world shows that Russia has not
tan, but has made herself master of Bokhara,
the capital of that country, and has pushed her
way as far as Sammercand, city of ancient
renown, and not many hundreds of miles
from the British frontier. II Russia follows
out her hereditary policy furkestan will be-
come an integral part of the Russian empire,
and in the valley of Cashmere and the Punjab
Great Britain and Russia will meet face to face.
From this point Of view the capture Of Box
hara 10 an event of positive Importance.
In the event Of another war between Russia
aud Great Britain the brunt of the battle may
have to be borne on the plains of Hindostan.
It is now not so improbable as it once was,
and as certain school of prophets have long
maintained, that in the battle of Arma-
geddon Russia and Great Britain are
to be the principal combatants. The
wisdom Of Disreali's saying few months
ago-a saying which was much ridiculed at the
time-that Great Britain had become more an
Asiatic than an European Power, is now appa-
rent to all the world 1t is only truth to say that
this latest conquest Of Russia will have q
powerful and determining influence on the
future policy of the British government.
is, after all, secondary to this other considera-
ton, that it is one Of the many sources of infu-
ence now at work to bring the entire Continent
of Asia under the control of modern or Western
civilization. The book Is not only no longer
sealed; 1t is open being read and it must be read
revolution the only result Of which can be the
opening of the entire country to the COM
merce of the world. The Burlingame mission
from China Is another illustration of the same
truth. The Chinese government feels and ac-
knowledges the folly of exclusiveness, and
through the United States seeks intercourse
with the rest of the world, Under the COM
bined influence of Russia, Great Britain and
the United States of America the day is not
far distant when the entire Asatic Continent
will be intersected with railroads and telegraph
wires; when her coasts and her vast rivers will
be covered with steamboas; when her pro-
ducts viii be in every market, and when her
untold wealth will give powerful impulse to
the trade and enterprise Of he nations.
Considering our proximity as people to the
Eastern nations Of Asia, 1t e impossible but
that we must benefit largely by the develop
ment of the resources of that vast Continent.
Railways and telegrsphs wll by and by con-
meet Central Asia with the great centres of
Europe. Much, however, asEurope will gain,
America must gain more and the gain will
be reaped principally, II nd entirely, BY the
United States Not only will elegraphs. steam
boats and railways soon bring China and Japan
nearer to the United States than to Europe,
but they will make II necessity for China and
Japan in seeking European markets to trans
init and receive. their Merchandise via the
United States. The interic Of this country
will thus be developed, Sn Francisco and
New York will become the most prosperous