The Portland daily press., 1873-02-11
The Anglo.Russian Difficulty

The fact that there is no change of the un-
friendly attitude between England and Rus
sia relative to the Khiva expedition-that
Russia goes on with its warlike preparations
and England and the English press still pro-
test against it and regard it as cause for
war, arouses much anxiety not only in diplo-
matte circles in E.rope but throughout the civ
ilized world.
The original cause that now threatens to
involve two great nations in war, is most in
significant. The Khan of Khiva captured
caravan containing some forty persons, who
claimed the protection of Russia. Russia de-
: manded their release. This The Khan relus-
ed, and in the meantime he sent messengers
to the Viceroy of India, imploring his assist
ance in the event of his being attacked by the
forces of the Gar. Lord Northbrook sent
for answer that he could not and would not
interfere in the matter, advising the Khan to
menl'h his ways and make his peace with the
Gear on the best terms possible. 1t would
have been well for the Khan if he had taken
the Viceroy's advice. In place of doing so,
however, he has made matters worse by at
tacking Russian outposts and treating Russian
prisoners with great barbarity. Russia, in
fact, has now no choice but to put forth her
whole strength and punish the contumacious
Khan. In SO advising the Khan, Lord North
brook was acting in perfect harmony with
the home government and with the India Of
fice 1t was understood by Lord Norohbrook,
and it was the opinion of the British govern
ment and the India Office, that the boundary
question in Central Asia had been completely
settled by Mr.. Forsythes mission some four
years ago. Mr.. Forsythe saw the Czar and
Prince Gortschakoff; opinions were freely ex-
changed, and, although the result was
not officially made public, it is well known
that a cordial understanding was come
to, Russia and Great Britain agreeing that
territory of some four hundred miles in width
should be considered neutral ground betwe- n
their respective frontiers. 1t has since ap-
peared that the lines of the neutral territory
were either imperfectly drawn or imperfectly
understood. Hence the altered attitude of
the British government. 1t was found that
Russia, in her plans of conquest and anpexa-
tion, was bent on encroaching on the terri
tory of Afs shanistap; and it has for many
years been the fixed policy of Great Britain
to protect the Ameer in all his rights, and to
regard as a cause of war any attack on his
territory. The ultimatum of Great Britain
is: Russia may proceed on her career Of con-
quest along the Anu and Sir, and so long as
she does not menace Afghanistan or the prin-
cipalities on the Upper ANU and others situ-
ated between Khiva and Afghanstan, claim
ed by the Ameer of the latter country, Great
Britain will not feel bound to interfere. Count
Schouvalof, a trusted favorite of the Czar,
was despatched to London to explain the sit
uation and to induce the British government
if possible. to abandon the ground it had
taken. Count Schouvalof7s mission, it is
now understood, has proved failure, and so
if Russia will not yield or Great, Britain again
bow the knee, war must be the result.
z 1t seems as if this question might be east
ly settled by arbitration and possibly it may
yet be so arranged, but it will be remembered
that since the Crimean war, Great Britain
and Russia have been natural enemies, in
spite of all DISCUSSES. Then Russia was hum
bled and since that hour she has been burn
ing for revenge upon the only power that was
engaged in that work that has not since been
made to bite the dust. Great Britain is in
tbs way of backing down, and may yield, but
it is not probable that Russia, supported as
she is by Germany, will abandon her purpose.