, 1873-02-05
TIE ANGLo-RUssIAH QUE3TIoN.

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this country as to the advance alleged to have
been made by the Russians into Afghanistan, on
the strength OF London telegram that Abdul
! nahman had taken the Fort of Hissar. There
can bo no doubt that the Hissar alleged to have
| been taken by Abdul Rahman is not the Baba
Hissar, as vas first supposed, which is the forti-
fed palace in the City Of Cabul, the Capital Of
Afghanistan, nor, in fact, any place in Afghanis-
| tan. There are several cities bearing the name
Of Hissar in India and in Central Asia but,
! from the nature Of the circumstances, the His
! ear referred to in those kilograms can DO
no other than tho one in Turkistan,
! distant from Cabu1 in northwestsrly direction
about 900 miles. The City Of Samarcand, which
ID subject to The Russians, lies in 4 northwest
erly direction about -15o miles distant from
Hissar.
As to tho prospects of war between England
and Russia, it is doubtful whether the capture &:
Hissar alone by Abdul Rahman will be the i'm
mediate Cause Of war; but that there maybe war
between England mud Russia, at no very diGtant
date, is almost certainty. This abdul Rahman,
tho alleged captor Of aisaar, is a Prince of the
reigning family Of AfgEanistan,-eit SOD,
cousin, or nephew of tho reigning aneer, itdoes
not matter which. His claim to tho throne OF
that country il as good as that Of
the reigning Amcer, and he was, in
consequence, baniGhed from that country for
political reasons Eve or six years ago. Ho has,
ever since, led an adventurous life in Turl,iatao,
having sometimes large arraics following his
lead He has at other times been without
single follower, and pursued by his enemies.
Ho hns repeatedly implorol tho British Govern
ment in India for aid to plnce him on tho throne
Of Cabul, but that Government las always de-
c}ned 10 take any part in tie internal diasen-
sions OF Afghanistan; and it is, therefore, not
at all surprising that he should have applied to
Rusaia for help, who probably may be only too
glad to attach tohcr interests a man who may bo
made to play an important part in certain con-
tiugenciea hereafter.
That the Russians afforded lin any direct
assistance with troops to capture Hissar seems
very unlikely; but they may Eavo supplied him
with money and given him their moral support,
and thus placed him in q poaition to raise fresh
armies. This conquest, if it has taken place,
cannot therefore be regarded US direct and
open act of host,lity to England. Moreover, it
must have been made before intimation OF Eng
lands protest had reached that country.
The advance Of Russia through Turldstan
has bean very steady ever since the Cri1rean |
war; and the position OF the British Govern |
ment has been ono Of watchful neutrality. Eng !
land has not objected to the advance OF Russia !
Along the River A1no (the ancient oxus), nor |
to the conquests Of Bokhara and Sama rcand, al |
though applied to for help by the rulers Of those
countries. Tho British Government desires no
in Central Asia. Although it hns had |
repeated opportunities to take Afghanisten, and |
he Khans of khiya, Sanercand, and Bokheso |
hare rendered submission to England, in return
Tor her support against Russia, sko has re- !
[uaed al such oliera. The boundary Of her !
empire in India is the 6olei,nan range Of noun
aims on the west, with control Of tho Khyber
snd Bo1an passes. Thus, while desiring no &C
4nisition Of territory in Central As., tho British
Government h2s, in tho interests OF civilization,
sven regarded with satisfaction the Russian !
ADVANCE to Bo!iLara and SamRrcand; and, as
ong as Russia confines herself to thc3a coun-
ries. she will probably NEE. With 10 resistance
rom Tnr1ard Int tina rnnn1ort aha craa hc- |