New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-25
RUSSIA and ENGLAND Ill ASIA

PROF vAMBERY ON THE RUss0-ENGllSh QUEs-
TON IN CENTRAL ASIA-RUsSlAN fhoun.oo
IN TuRKIsTAN AND THE POLICY IN REGARD
TO AFGUANIsTAN-A VISIT TO NAMBERYS
STUDY, ETC.
FRoM ORR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
Prsru Dec. 1S.-Prof. Nambery, The cele
brated oriental traveller, European authority on mat
ters connected with Central Asia. has prophesed
since his return to Europe. that conflict is inevitable
between the Russians and the English in Afghanstan.
Tho outposts OF these two ciyzg agencies IN Asia are
now but little than five days march apart and
in the event Of Eastern breaking out in Europe
is in highest degree probable that England in case
she Joined the Porte would be attacked by Russia III
what is considered her most vulnerable point, namely,
her Indian Empire. The probabilities Of such conflict
have far however, hardly been noticed III the
European press and all the more worthy OF nouce
are, therefore, articles the subject by men
who know thoroughly what they are writing about
Prof vambery publishes, in the last number OF
Unsere Zeit a long and interesting article
on Russia's position in Central Asia and the re-
vision OF the Paris treaty Of 1866, in which Russas
course regard the Black Sea question IL considered
in its connection with recent events in Central Asia,
and the progress OF the Russian troops that conn-
ent Russia shows tdesre," says vambery, "to re-
yise tho stpulaons OF the Paris treaty OF 1854 policy
which OF carries to the valley districts OF the
HinduKush. What MaeNeil said long before us; what
has often repeated since first wrote on the SUD
ject--that the Russian operations on the Bosphorus
neighborhoodo of Herat lin Aehanisan-is to-day prop
ability founded on reason With the exception OF the
diplomats the Bosphorus, and their brethren Oh inc
Thames very few people to-day doubt tf't tho RUSSIAN
troops standing the Oxus are the outpoS's Wnicn
would begin first and successfully the conflict Tor
the solution of the Eastern question The connexions
which Russia is making from the OXus TO the Eastern
shores of Black Sea- the quiet preparations In FER
sa Kurdistan and Armenia stand in close connection
with that end; and In spite OF the distance ana the d
1.lNNx1 Nc In smith n
skilfu maneuvers of the Russian statesmen, the WoIu
must not be surprised at what may there develop Facts
not assumptions have enabled us to follow step LOT se
the course of events In ASIA and we have come 10 tne
conclusion that whenever the fruit OF the Eastern ques
ton is ripe the ouposts in Asia stand ready for
eyentuaties the which has been long gather
ing on the banks of the OXus will break over India"
Professor yamb6ry has been styled by some an alarm
st thing is certain that what lie does say ID
based upon long experience of travel in the countries
of which speaks and years OF study on the Oriental
lands He has very recently been addressed by high
Austrian military personages to give his opinion as TO
the probabilities of in Central Asia, and his
answer is embodied in work now passing through the
press entitled, RussdadS Machtshelgin Asien; cine
hisgische poitsche stUdie Being in Pesth, where MI
vabery is Professor of Oriental Languages at the Uni
versty the opportunity Of an introduction for an
hours conversation the subject, and heard from him
his earnest conviction that must finally come 10 an out
the two Powers in ASIA though not neees
saIily now. base the following remarks chiefly upon
Professor vnberys interesting conversation, upon adj
vance sheets OF the work above mentioned, and the
valuable essay in Unsere lett That Vambery places
himself decidedly anita gontic TO Russia is plain; but
his facts in all gained from extraordinary
sources which, however am not at liberty TO reveal
The power and influence Of Russia in Central
Asia are now immense Vambery admits that the |
Russians are the natural tmedators between the two
continents representing opposed to barbaranism,
decidedly higher culture; their rule as contraseu win
that OF the native princes is an advantage 10 oruer as
well as benefit to trade and science Wherever they
have once gained foothold there they begin to make
themselves at hoIne it fact that the Mohammedans
have in many received them with open arms; ana
even i'm the Northern districts Of British India the name
of the Car has become synonymous with delverance
from oppression. vambery says, " That Russian SYM
pathies can easily gain ground among the revoiu-
tiopary elements of Hindosan Is seen in the actions
aaaipst British dominion of the fanatcal sect of the
Wahabites TO whom the nsme Russ is allpowerfuL A
eomical revolutionary proclamation was PuDnshed
In India, which pretended 10 emnate from His
victorious majesty, Emperor Alexander OF st.
Petersburg in Russia, to the poor, oppressed
inhabitants OF Hndostan. The proclamation
was forgery, yet is nevertheless Characteristic
OF what the Indian agtaors imaRe OF the name OF
the Car 1t says: After have succeeded, under the
protection of God, in conquering frurkstan, shall
shortly come 10 order ia Afghanstan and free
the people Of HindostaD from the yoke Of the English
The Car gives gigantic picture Of his power and great
ness and still more alarming description of the power
of bis wrath and promises punishment to the unruy
and reward those who aid in OverthroVing English
power" This Is only of many similar proclamatons
current among the3pecp.e Of Northern Hindostan and
Vdmbcry is of the opinion that Russianism would fhda
welcome here Northern India, sad he, is full OF fanat
cal anti Christian tribes, always 1T for revolution;
Russia has only to send 1900 men among theIn and
India would be flames. The Sepoys not to be de-
pended upon. In the Punaub. the schools are even
tbo Due LAM all q
taught since ,ciH be he language Of their fHfuTe rulers
Vambery withhold from Russia the credit OF pur
suing mastery policy in all her Central Asatic airs
he attributes Russian in part to the fact that
the Russians themselves have streak OF the Asiatc
character knowing how 10 deal with peoples whose
civilization corresponds TO parts Of the RussoEurOpean
empire while the English mode Of conducting affairs is
characterized by sedhness and ignorance of national
Asiatc peculiarties which mast in the end prove dsad
vantageOus to British power and influence Russia has
always strven 10 improve the districts she has con-
ouered especially trade she has Also paid special
attention science during all her Asatic expeditions
caravans and commercial routes have been opened
wherever the military have she has sought to gain
the confidence and friendship of the people, and YAM
berry hesitate Go say that for the sake OF civil
izaOn the arms OF Russa should be wished TIE best
success"
The only territory between the possessions Of
Russia and England is Afghanstan. At present En-
gland pays large subsidyS5-5OO0 annually, believe
10 the regning Prince in return for which England
hopes she has faithful ally IN time OF need But YAM
berry SAYS correctly enough that where ma viii sell
his sympathies in zone for twopenc will not
hesitate to sell day for double the amount"
that IS If he sees ges from the change Russia
already excrs great influence in Afghanisan at
least among the disaect ed portion of the population
yAmh6ry charges the English with having made mis-