Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-25

Russia in Turkestau.
A dispatch purporting to have come from
St. Petersburg reports the possibility Of a seri
Gus dispute between Great Britain and Russia,
concerning their relations and interests IN Cen
trail Asia. A Russian newspaper is given as
authority for the statement that the British
minister has notified the Russian government
that England will be compelled 10 interfere in
behalf of Afghan independence if The Russian
troops operating against Khiva shall penetrate
the countries lying between Khiva and Afghan
isan." This dispatch, we suspect, should be
classed with those usually described as 'sensa-
tional." 1t is no more likely that Great Britain
will interfere with Russian operations in Khiya
or in any other part of Turkestan, than that
Russia will interfere with British operations in
the Punjaub. As for the countries lying be-
tween Khiva and Afghanistan," we should like
to hear this dispatch writer describe what they
are. On the south, Khiva is bounded chiefly by
Persia; but its southeast corner touches the
northwest corner of Afehanstan. The southern
part Of Khiva, however, is said to be very thnlv
inhabited; and the Russian movements are not
directed against that portion of it,
Tuikestan is usually divided into three great
"khaDates;" Khiva which is bounded on the
west by the Caspian Sea; Khokand which is
bounded on the east by Chinese Territory; and
Bokhara which lies between Khokand and
KhIva, and has Samacand for one oil its cities
There has been, south OF Btkhara and KhokaDd
a weak and unimp .rtant kbanate called Kun
dooz, but it is seldom mentioned and does not
ha -,
Russia is 10 secure the same commercial advan-
tages in Turkestan which are accorded TO
Others. She now has treaties with Kbokand
and Bokhara; bat the khan of Khva has pre-
ferred hostility to commercial relations, al
though a great portion OF his people do nor
agree with bin on this question. He has persc-
culed and oppressed Russian traders; and he
has eoue so far even as 10 capture Russian FISH,
erman on the Caspian and hold them as slaves
TIE Russian government has a reason for max
ing war upon him, somewhat like that when
moved Great Britain TO invade Abyssinia.
Undoubtedly, the Russians intend to have
control of Turkestan; and ii is no less certain
that the governments there can hardly lie worse
than they have been heretofore. Russian rule
would establish order in Tulkestan, aud make
it possible for Europeans TO explore that coun-
try; and it could not easily fail 10 improve the
condition OF the people. Probably the chiel
obstruction encountered by this Russian move
melt is that intense Mahometan ianatcism foi
which Turkestan is notorious Mr.. Vdmbery
who conlriv,d to 90 through the country in The
character OF a lanatical dervish and pilgrim, has
gwen some account Of it, But Mabometan fan
alicism which kills or scares away unprotected
travellers, can not resist Russian armies. There
fore, tue struggle in Kalva can have but one re-
sull. The Russians will prevail, and rurkestan
will at len! th become wholly Russian province.
Under such rule, the country may Become pre-
pared for new and more important departure
10 civilization.
1t is very easy TO believe that Russia has no
designs upon Aehansian, for that country does
not lie within the geographical limits 10 which
Russian aims are confined; and it is not likely
that the British government suspects the czar
of a purpose to 90 in that direction. But, it is
true that the ACghans have intrigued in Box
hara against Russia, and have even offered 10
assist an attempt to expel Russian influence
from that khanate. The following statement in
regard to these intrigues indicates that the Az
ghans may ret some useful military lessons
from the Russians, not in their own country,
but in Turkestan itself:
During the stay of the Russian embassy at
Bokhara, in 1870, the Alghanislans pressed the
emir TO drive cut fhe embassy, promising 10
assist him with 10 900 men in case OF war with
Russia. The emir hesiated long; but, remem-
bering the recent defeats he had suffered IRON
the Russians, and not daring to ACCEPT the prof
iered assistance, be granted 10 the Russian en-
bAssy all they desired. Still, after the embassy
mad lett, tlose negotiations were continued, and,
II appears, GUIDED to the satisfaction OF both
parties, for there has been an authentic report
stating that, TO insure the cooperation of the
Aighanlstans in case of war with Russia, the
emlr has ceded 10 them several Bokharian
towns, OF which Koulab was already occupied
py tue Aighanistans about midsum mer in this
year"
II is quite possible that Russia will not quiet
submit TO such proceedings. II the Afghans
come unto Turkesanlwth an army, they will
PROBABLY be driven out; and if they attempt 10
appropriate Bokharan territory, they will
douotess hud it necessary 10 desst. But this
can Iot lead TO quarrel between Russia and
Great Britain. unless the latter shall supoort
the Afghsns IN making war upon Russia. which
is not probable. Those who rule Great Britain
will think long aud carefully, before they under.
take war with Russia, in Central Asia.