New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-01-28
BRITISH AND RUSSIAN CoNPLICA TONS


OF late years the passive character of the
diplomacy of Great Britain has acquired for
her, on the Continent of Europe. the reputa-
ton of pusillanimity. When the power OF
Germany was enlarged upon the termina-
ton of the late war against France,
it was quite customary III Official
circles at Berlin TO speak in disparaging
terms of the strength of the British nation
and its influence in the politics of Europe.
Only a few days ago an article was published
by Berlin journal, which reflects the opinions
of a party in Prussia every day growing In
favor with the Emperor William, expressing
these views with remarkable candor.
Russia, more than any other Power OF
Europe, was encouraged by her apparent sue
cess in obtaining tho modification of the Black
Sea Treaty, in the hope that profit might be
derived by the weakness of Great Britain. If
the Car had never received such encourage
ment the campaign against Khiva might never
have been undertaken, or, If undertaken, TINS
would only have been done with the
tacit consent of the English. 1t is clear
that the Government at st. Petersburg re-
garded the hour as propitious for opening COM
mercial intercourse with large extent of terri
tory without any fear of interference by the
only Power of Europe which might consider its
interests in any way placed in jeopardy. 80 much
had the fighting qualities of the British fallen
in the estimation of the Russians, that it was
not even deemed necessary to conceal the
purpose of the projected expedition, and the
question of the possibility that Russian terri
tory would border on India was discussed
Al fha nf two
countries to adjon each other without any
interruption of peaceful relation.
1t is certain that, with the exception OF the
ordinary>cOmmercal rivalry which is tOlerably
certain to arise, there Is no reason why the
projected conquests in Central Asia should
occasion any alarm to the British. Unlike
most wars that have arisen, the purpose of
the aggressors in this instance is not so much
one for the acquisition of territory as
to secure enlarged facilities for commercial
intercourse. The scheme of cOnquering Khiva,
which originated with Peter the Great, has
always been entertained by the successors TO
his throne with the first idea of employ
ing the Oxus of the ancients as the
channel for an extensive commerce. But
this commercial character of the scheme
is the only one which could have drawn from the
British Government the vigorous manifestation
which, within the last fortnight, has created
almost universal astonshment The unanim-
ity of sentiment shown in Great Britain clear
ly indicates that the present attitude OF the
Government will receive the entire support of
the people OF that country 1t cannot be
doubted that the Russian Government, as
thoroughly az it has been astOnished by this
show of hostility, is no less convinced OF the
disposition of the British TO assert their
position with the sword if occasion should
require.
The miscOnceptiOn of the disposition of the
British to engage in war has led the Russian
Government into position from which it can
only be eItricated by consummate diplomacy.
Having already undertaken the march to
Khva and, in anticipation OF the conquest of
that country, assumed to dispose in advance of
all the territory to which the Khan laid claim,
| the Government at st. Petersburg cannot
easily recede without mourning the stigma Of
being influenced by the menace contained In
Lord Granville's note. kilograms lately re-
ceived even announce that, at the insti-
CATION of Russia, fort has been cap
tured by a native chief of HindOstan
in such position as to threaten Afghanistan,
whose territory Great Britain has expressly
| promised to guarantee The interests of
Russia just now may be best subserved by
partial concessions to the British. Judging
from q telegram, which we publish this morn
ing, an agreement on such a basis is likely
to be adopted by the establishment of
neutral zone consisting of the debatable
II A FL
In these negotiations the British Government
is open to the charge of dilatOriness and, in
the present emergency, notwithstanding the
evident desire of Russia to avoid a conflict,
events in Central Asia may render it inevi-
table.