American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-02-15

"The London Telegraph, writing on the
Central Asiatic question generally and OF
the present intent and ultimate object OF
the Russian march against the Khanates
and England's interests therein, says =
The problem presented by MuscOvite
stands there doubtless for solution, and
will one day task the sagacity and vigor
of English statesmen. That we shall have
to frame a policy suited to the circum-
stances few will he found to deny. The
question, in all its bearfngs--and they do
not concern India alone, or India so much
as the countries nearer home-must be
thought out by those who are responsible
for imperial safety east and west of the
Euphrates. An abrupt interposition at
the present time, still more a proceeding
not only sudden but violent, not only inn
parting declaration OF policy, but enun-
ciating a distinct threat, bears its own
condemnation on its face-first because it
would be uncalled for; next, because it
would be inappropriate. War might not
be the result, but peace would not be more
secure. The capital importance of the
Central Asian question does not lie in
Tashkend and Samarcand, but on the
Euphrates and Bosphorus. There are
men of great learning and sagacity who
see visions of Russian Timour heading
the warrior desert tribes in a new career
OF conquest beyond the Indus. We do
not dispute that in process of time MuscO
vite genius may discipline Turranian valor
and make the riders Of the steppes once
more formidable with lance and breech-
loader but an inroad upon Hindostan is
not the aim of Russia. She is playing for
even a greater stake. Her objective is not
Delhi, but Constantinople. Whenever
she tries to reach that goal again Der
course will not be through Roumania and
Bulgaria it will be directly athwart Asia
Minor, and she will rely on sound po-
sition about the Oxus and Caspian shores
to paralyse the arm of England in the
East. The production of that effect is the
end sought to be gained by Central Asian
cOnquests. We shall be smitten with po-
litical blindness if we ever fail to discern
this cardinal fact in Russian policy.
Those who think that India alone is en-
dangered would lead us astray from the
facts. 1t is not India which is in peril it
is the BosphOrus and the entrance to the
Mediterranean. Now, except at great
er cost than the object proposed is worth,
we cannot prevent Russia from subjugat-
ing the Khanates any more than we could
exclude her flag from the Caspian. Kniva,
despite the bravery of Turcoman and
Usbeg, is doc ned to become a Russian
prefecture, and her troops will be master
of the desert roads beyond. That result
Is fOregOne conclusion, because obstacles
presented by nature have everywhere
yielded to the art of man. and there are
no other really valid impediments. When
the conquest we are not prepared to frus-
trate has been accomplished, then we may
devise policy ON the basis of ascertained
facts. Unless we are determined to fight
at once we shall not say. ''Here are the
limits to your arms.'' What is essential
is strict watchfulness and accurate knowl-
edge. Since we never give up empire
without struggle to maintain it, English
statesmen in England and India may be
trusted to adopt a fitting course at the
proper moment, provided always that
they keep themselves well informed, and
trade and civilization or cajoled by absurd
proposals to establish zone of neu-
trality,"