, 1873-01-31
RUSSIA AND ENGLAND.

~ = >@ x~-~---
intination in the dispatches contained in our
last issue, however, that Austria France, Italy,
Denmark, Sweden, and other Powers will make
common cause with England, is only q rumor,
and should bo treated as a rumor, which may be
contradicted any day. The misunderstanding
to call it by no harder name-between Russia
and England is one which concerna those
two Powers alone. No other European nation
has any direct interest in the quarrel,
further than national antipathy is concerned.
II; however, it be true that these nations have
sided with England, then it may be assumed
with equal certainty thai Germany will side with
RusBin; and that O general European war will be
the result, which must establish forever the
question Of Asiatic supremacy, which has been
in abeyanco so nnny centurics,-eren from the
time Of Peter tho Great, with whom tho scheme
Of the conquest of Ehiva originated, and who,
in common with all his successors, entertained
the idea of making the O1us of the ancients,
now tho Amoor, the cllanue1 of an extensive
commerce.
Taking into account only the, positive, re1i-
able news which has been received, Russia aud
England only can enter into our calculations.
Tho Russian Empire in Asia already embrace.
Omsk, Tobolsk, 1omsk, Ioniseisk, Irkoutsk
Iakoutsk, Amour, okhotsk, Tchuktchi, Kamts..
chatka, and the important Island OF. saghalin,
directly north Of Japan, ,-tLe whole embracing
about ono-ttird of Asia. Her movements now
n%nv srA~ :.t. -
1oochistan, and Turkey in Asis,-the possession
of any ono of which countries seriously mo11aces
the British Possessions in Hindostan, and
threatens to cut England off from the Mediter-
rane=n. s.,
The history Of the proceedings, up to
the date OF the latest dispatches, may
be briefly told: EARLY in December, the
Russians commenced to mass an army, osten-
sibly for operations against Khiva, on the east
ern shores Of the Caspian Sea- and to punish
the Khan OF that province for enslaying Rus
sian prisoners Of war, and refusing to deliver
them up. England for once acted promptly
and rosolutely. On Dec. %, Lord Augustus
Lotus, the british Ambassador at st. Peters
OA45 AC4AtC1CA u AUt9 u 111lltb NuIt6EllAHQA
from Lord Granville, announcing tho RESOLUTION
Of the English Government to refrain from all
interference with Russia's progress along the
Amoor and Sir, SO long as it did not monaco
or the principalities on the Upper
Amoor. aud others situated between Khiva and
Afghenistan, c1aimed by the A1neer Of the latter
country. This, it will be noticed, was very
resolute protest upon the part Of England, and
it at once received the hearty indorsemont md
support OF the press aud people; who have always
been in advances Of tho Government upon this
question Of Russian progress in Central Asia. |
England drew the line herself beyond which !
Russia must not so. The note to Gortschakotr |
must have caused profound aBtonislment to the !
Russians, for they Ind evidently misconceived
the temper Of the EugiEh, aud had cherished
:he idea TINT they would not fight
The note was followed by the arrival
If Count schouva1off, an Envoy from tho Rus
'ian Emperor, and one Of his most coniden tia1
,ounsellors. His mission showed that the En-
oeror WAS dosrous of concilation, and wished for
IN agreement between the two countries, which
'hould definitely locate tho boundaries OF
must not 60. It is also stated, unoficia1ly, that
he Gear offered not to advance beyond a certain
inc to be agreed upon by the two countries, and
loped that England would 500 no objection to
lis supplying Persia with settled Government,
md opening up tho industrial resources
# the country. Count schouva1off had con-
erence with Granville, Which only resulted in
epetition OF the substance of the latter's former
lo:o to dortEchakoff. The occupation OF Persia,
t is evidont, could not be entertained for Gin
10 moment. It not only would secure to Russia
he very object Of its Asiatic ambition, "a SOUTH
IN outlet for it's Asiatic commerco,-but it ]
Tould also directly menace India and seal tho
ate Of Turkey in Asia at once. The intrigues
+ Russia might speedily gain over the independ-
Mt chieftains Of Afghanistan and Beloochistan. |
nd their consequent proximity to India might
rouse tho hatred OF the Mussulmana to ENGLISH |
ule. After the conference, Russia immediately
ssumed hostile attitude, and inatigated the
spture OF Port Higsar by native chief.-thus
aklng d position which threatened Aghanistan,
nd Toorkistan also, tho independence of whose
orrltoFy Great Britain had expressly guaranteed
, maintain.
Ihls Ia the latest condition OF Affairs which |
lay be relied upon. It ia difficult to see how !
'thcr Power can now recede. Russia, having
READY undertaken her march to Khiya, and
lrtuslly having already disposed Of all the ter
tory to which the Khan laid claim, and
aying struck the first blow, may not be
spoaed to yield without . struggle, however
'uch she may hare misjudged the Eushah
olicy and temper. England, on the other
and, must maintain her position, or ahow
9gree Of pusi]lanimity no other nation hss ever
zhibited. skilful diplomacy may got rescue
10 Aslatic question from the immediate arbi-
ament Of WAT; but no diplomacy, however ]
ul1nl or consumuate, can ayert & collision be-