New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-02-21

them az he might DC ulspOseu W BNo w
more formal engagement
One of these assurances, if it afforded any
real satisfaction TO the British Secretary, must
have been repeated in extremely credulous
ears. For a century and half 1t has Deeh
the consistent purpose OF Russia TO open
route to India by way OF khiva, ana
the various expeditions which she undertook
were only prevented from accomplishing TINS
purpose by the stubborn resistance OF the
Khivans Count 1Schouvaloff explained that
the object of the present expedition was 10
punish acts of brigandage, to recover fifty
Russian prisoners, and to teach the Khan that
his conduct could not be continued with inn
punty. "Not only was it far from the inten-
" ton of the Emperor to take possession
"of Khva, but positive orders had
"been prepared TO prevent 1t, and direc-
lions given that the conditions imposed
"should be such as could not in any way lead
"to a prolonged occupation OF hhlva." The
terms of this assurance clearly indicate that
different purpose was entertained when the
expedition was first projected. Although the
decided hostility of British diplomacy has in
dueed the Russians to change the tenor OF the
instructions to the invading army, the expedi-
ton is still to be continued.
1t is piece of sharp practice for Earl
Granville To assume that the statements of
Count Schouvalof have all the force of q
formal engagement, and it may be that the
Russian Government will be disposed to con-
cede this much to Great Britain. But
if it were necessary to show the in
ability of even formal engagements to com
mel the observance of ambiguous stipulations,
it might easily be done by pointing to the
case of North Schleswig, which the Treaty OF
Prague provided should be coded TO Den
mark. Six years after that treaty was signed,
this provision is as far as ever from being
enforced. 1t is undeniable that Russia has
made great advances in Central Asia already
but, in conformity with her policy of
imposing severe obligations on subjugated
tribes, she has avoided the disadvantages
of administering laws to lawless tribes while
at the same time exercising an influence over
them sufficient for her purposes. There is no
obstacle in the assurances OF Count SchOuyalOh
to tho Russians imposing heavy tributes on
the Khivans when conquered, and compelling
the Khan to sign commercial treaties which
will be most favorable TO the cOnquerOrs. Yet
the Khan of Khiva will still be in the same
state of semi-independence as the Khan OF
Kh0kand, and Russian commerce VIII be eX-
tended still nearer to India.
Nor has any substantial advantage thus far
been gained by the negotiations for neutral
zone The Russians refuse to cOncede that
the provinces of Badakshan and Wakhan
shall lie within this territory. If Great Brit
ain intends to guarantee the integrity of
Afghanistan, it is precisely these provinces
whose condition should be most clearly
defined. If any boundary is to be established,
it is most important for the British that the
line should run south of the Russian province
of Tashkend and north of Badakshan, as there
is no other important point where Afghan
territory borders on Russia. Russia, by the
offer to cOncede everything connected with
this boundary question, except as regards
these provinces of Afghanistan, makes a great
show of liberality, which needs only be care
fully examined to show the really illiberal
nature Of the proposition.