The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-01-28


two.pence, he will not hesitate to sell
them next day Tor double the amount"
that Is, if he sees advantages from the
change. Russia already exerts great in
fluence in Afghanlstan, at least among
the disaifected portion Of the population,
Vambery charges the English with hay.
ing made amistake in their whole policy
as regards the possession Of this land;
especially in not securing Herat, the gate
way 10 and from India, which in the
hands Of doubtful allies, may at any time
be open to invading armies During the
Afghan war, which cost England some
100000, 900, the English authorities held
the idea that certifying the Khyber pass
was sufficient for her protection, but YAM
berry says that Herat ought then TO have
been secured, and made a bulwark OF her
interests. While England has been con-
tent with q "masterly inactivity" land an
apparent disregard OF Russian movements
in Asia, Russia's troops have been steadily
pushing southwark. First, the Cars out.
posts stood on the banks Of the Jaxartes;
steamers built in St. Petersburg were trans
ported thither, and in these, small contin-
gents were sent into the interior, fortresses
were constructed and trading routes estab.
lished; and all without word Of these
events finding its way to English ears. But
Russia's sudden appearance in Khokand
began to alarm the statesmen Of Calcutta
and London. After taking possession Of
Hagreti (Turkistan), the first place of i'm.
portance in Northern KhOkand, and after
Tchemkend was won, Prince Gortschakott
considered 1t policy to address circular
note TO the Russian diplomats, explaining
1.-THE Position Of Russia In Central Asia"
in which the Prince speaks Of the necessi.
ty ofthe military measures taken, espe-
cially of planting fortified places here and
there among the nomadic, sCmi.barbar0us
tribes, for the protection OF trade, and for
carrying out authority among the unruly
tribes. England was paci6ed. But the
taking of Tashkcnd in 1865, as well as tho
annexation of other cities Of khokand
soon after, began to make the English
statesmen very uncomfortable. But the
Russians kept steadily on. Soon they
got Bokhara, and in May, 1903, they SO.
cured Samarcand, and then pressed on to
the right flank OF the 0Xus, to the north OF
Aighanistan, where they have now made
themselves as much at home rs many Of the
older conquered districts, Since the arrival
of the Russians at that river, both Powers
have recognized their antagonism; and
what England endeavors to accomplish
with her Afghan ally by means Of sub.
sides is very often cOunteracted by Rus.
sian agents on the other side. Vambery
urged some time aSO TINT this district be.
tween the two powers should be made
neutral territory. He says: "The Eng
fish cannot afford to have the conflict on
tho soil Of Northern India, where the
people arc strongly disaflcctGd The rail.
roadswhich havdbccn begunfrom Calcut.
tn and Bombay TO the northwestern from.
tier of Ilindostan are incontestibly OF
great military importance US against Rus
sia, which can only move her troops slow
" on difficult roads, but the English must
not forget that at best they would find
themselves upon the most dangerous
ground Of their whole Empire, and II
would he much better Il they would
think earnestly Of neutralizing Aighanis-
tan-the land lying between the empires
of England and the Car. This neutral.
ization would be the best means for Eng
land to ward Oft the danger Of defeat on
the Indias, which would destroy her pc
sition in India" At present, Russia has
gained the friendship OF Persia, the sub.
missive alliance Of Khokand and the
TurkOman tribes; Vambery is assured
that Khiva will be her next prey. The
present Russian inactivity on the Oxus is
only preparatory to the tina spring, nnd
this will come rs soon us ever English
men.of:war enter the Black sea-. RussiA
has had the plan Of building q railroad
from the Caspian sea to the banks OF the
Oxus; but Vambery who las travelled
over the ground It would take, condemned
the project as impracticablc, since the line
has to pass great sand plains, on which
the storms would cover the track and pre-
vent locomotion, and the undertaking
still hangs fire; but II military road, pro
tccted by vedcttes and forts, will be made
leading into the very heart Of Asia; and
Vambery prOphesies that the time now
needed TO transport troops from Moscow
Turkistan from three to four mOnthS) will
shortly be reduced to four weeks. liz
says, in UR@ro Zcit. 2 90
at is clear that the advantageous posi-
ton Of Russia In Central Asia, especially
in Turkistan, lends great Importance Il
our expressions regarding this rivalry OIL
the two powers; indeed, 1t would be easy
to assert to. day that even had Russia the
best intentions and the greatest sympathy
for Great Britain, the collision Of the twC
Powers could not bc avoided: am here
relieved Of the duty OF bringing proof tt
England Of the presence OF danger; sht
admits 1t, and looks forward with anxiety
to the coming struggle, Russia has fol
lowed for centuries n prescribed aim
England attempted too late to bar thu
movement Of her opponent on the chess
board OF Central Asia. Truly, the Brit0r
f has enough TO do II lie dreams OF success
Russia, this Asiatic power par excellence
gets everywhere ahead Of him, especially
In Western Asia In Persia, the sympa
thy for Russia has greatly increased with
in the last three years; the little kadshai
Prince has been paying and receiving thu
visits of Russian Grand Duke, and be
cause Russian sailors gave such hearty
cheers to the Persian monarch, the latte
now permits Russia to navigate the Eu
sell with vessels Of war. From Euseli Il
Resht wretched road runs through I
most swampy neighborhood, unequnllet
, In oil Asia, and since on this way all thu
, Russian export and import trade must go
. the attempt has been made by St. Peters
burg to induce Iran to improve this road
, In case of q refusal, Russia will do It a
her own expense. -Four year ago the Per
SLAMS said: "0i course We have nOthin,
, better 10 do than to make the Russians
road by which they can easily bring il
, their cannon and arms to Persia" Never
theless, the road Is now building from Eu
. Al. ..