The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-06-03
Russian Advances in Asia.

The Atlantic cable has brought the very
interesting intelligence that the Russians
have recently fought bloody battle with
the army of the Khan of Bokhara, in which
the latter was disastrously defeated and
the Khan killed. This is an important
event. 1t gives Russia now the whole Of
Independent Tartary save some very incon-
siderable Khanates. Within o few years
the Car has conquered Khiva, in the north
west, and Khokand, in the northeast, and
now he adds to his vast dominions Bokhara,
in the south, west of the Caspian sea, and
brings his line almost in contact with that
of British India. His approach in that di-
rection has been subject of great uneasi-
ness to the British Government for many
years, but his steady denial of all unfriend-
ly or hostile intentions has prevented any
further step than that of remonstrance by
Great Britain.
A few years will, by the act of one or the
other, bring the two formidable rivals in
territorial contact, with all the advantages
in case of strife in behalf of Russia. The
Car is now building railway which will
reach from St. Petersburg to the new pro-
vince he has annexed ); and as the Caspian
sea is the western boundary OF Turklstan'
it will be of great Importance in the trans rams
portation Of troops, provisions, and arms ''
that province, for the purposes OF defensive
or offensive war. lisa ...sE -.
II was only yesterday we published the
nnrnort of paper, read at the Royal Uni,
tod Service Institution Of London by Mr.
HYDE CLARKE, on the subject of building a
railroad from the eastern boundary OF
Turkey in Europe, uia Constantinople
through Asia Minor, down the valley Of the
famed Euphrates to the Persian Gulf, and
thence through Persia to British India
The political objects to be accomplished by
this improvement were set forth by Mr.
CLARKE. These objects are cherished 10y
the Government and statesmen Of England,
and the favor and support of the Govern
ment will no doubt be extended to this grand
scheme, or any other that promises to pro-
mote those objects. They were the check
ing of the power of Russia and the pre-
servation Of the Turkish and Persian do
minions against the hostile schemes Of the
Car. Mr., CLARKE associated England,
France, and Austria as being bound to-
gether by mutual interests to oppose an
anticipated alliance between Russia and
Prussia. He considered that the proposed
railroad would afford efficient military pro-
lection to Turkey and Persia, and preserve
the peace of Europe. ~ ,.., = r.. L. !.
While this talc is going on in London, the
Car is almost within cannon sound Of the
British boundary in Asiai He there con-
fronts the Lion, and is almost directly in
the rear Of the Turk, the, g sick man. >,
This new move on the chess-board of the
great game Of European politics is exceed
lngly interesting. ~ .f7saiss 80
Somewhere about 1874 two or three
Gnesrs Of the British army crossed the
himmA'asah from India, and endeayoredlto
MAKE Journey ACROSS by Turkistan to- Com
stanflnopie. They made their way 10 Box
hare, and at that place their Tourney and
their lives came to an end. Tha;n ~.
absence, with no account Of them, occasion.
ed great uneasiness in the public mind .,
England. The Government exertea itsell
to ascertain something of their fate, but
could obtain nothing reliable, only vague
runners that they had been murdered.
Many meetings Of philanthropie persona
were held, which urged the Government t.
take measures (snch as we have seen re-
Gently with reference to the protection Of
British citizens in Abyssinial to rssous the
.eJ43f8 49, ~ II ia