The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-24
ENGLAND'S INTERESTS IN AFGAANISTAN.
ADOPTION OF PRUSSlA'S ARMY SYSTEM
The German Eagle Watching the Russian
Bear-Troublss of tho State Church
Still Unsettled

Tho three great questions OF the hour In st. Pc
tersburp are the Central Asiatc question, the pro-
posed military reform and the Bulgarian Church
difficulty. With regard to the Central Asatlc ques-
ton, may begin by saving that at meeting re-
Gently held under the presidency OF the Emperor it
has been decided to take Khiva and finish those
wretched anachronisms the native governments
of Central Asia. General kaufman, Governor Gen.
eral of Turkistan is in st. Petersburg at present
where he will remain till near the end OF January,
when he will start for Central Asia. Khiva is to be
attacked in the Spring by two divisions OF the army
now in Central Asia, starting from Tashkeut
Another division from the army OF the Caucasus
will assemble at Krasncvodsky Bay, which is stu
ated nearly due east from Baku on the Caspian
and to the southwest from Khiva. Krasnovodsky
is the best harbor the eastern shore OF the Cas-
plan, and Is situated at the former mouth OF the
Amo0 Daria, or OXus OF the ancients-a river
which now emptes into the Aral Sea, though IL
formerly discharged into the Caspian. The re-
mains OF its former bed are visible, and the
Russians hope to divert it into its former course,
thus giving direct navigation to the heart OF Asia
third expedition, consisting OF division,
will start from Benburg and pass between the
Caspian and the Aral. Judging by the history of
Russian conquests in Northern Asia, these forces
seem more than sufficient to subdue Khiva. The
Petersburg Cabinet has recently received de-
spatch from the British Foreign once, caused by
these preparations against Central Asia. The pur-
port OF the British note was as follows:-We have
no objection to your taking khiva, but as the Emr
OF Afghanistan is dependent OF ours, your new
boundary must not interfere with his. II his
boundaries are nterfered with ana he considers
himself justified in going to war, we shall feel
obliged to assist him in main taining his territorial
rights. The British note hints at taking the Amoo
Daria as the boundary along its whole extent, adj
ding, probably, certain amount of territory its
lett bank from Khiva to the Caspian Sea.
In every case we see that there is
much room for future intrigue and misunderstand-
ing In regard to those regions lying between
British India and the Russian possessions. The
boundaries of Afghanistan are very Indefinite and
claims may be increased or diminished to suit cir
cumstances. In the southern part OF the terri
tories Of Khiva, and partly in the extreme north OF
Afghanistan, are the Turkomen tribes who turn an
honest penny by stealing Persians and selling them
into slavery in Khiva and other slave marts OF the
East. The Russian occupation OF khva will take
the bread from the mouths OF these gentle Turko-
men. They will. OF course endeavor to carry on
their slave hunting expeditions as before; will be
pursued and some will no doubt cross the Afghan
boundary, and collisions between the governments
may become moi and more difficult TO avoid. At
St. Petersburg there is variety OF opinions on the
captor OF Tashkeuk and Chemkeuk who
first led the Russians into the heart Of
as the chief exponent OF the opposition
TO the present policy declares that Central Asa
as now manages will he source OF weakness IN
stead OF strength TO Russia. He has recently writ
ten an exhaustive statement of the present condi-
tion OF AFFAIRS addressed to the Master Of Finance.
The Minister sent 1t TO the Emperor, who, alter
careful reading sent it to General Kaufman
council was assembled shortly afterward, at which
Tchernyaer was not present. The intention to un.
nrf 90 - pa OF
mistaken, Notwithstanding the vigorous attack OF
Tchernyaet His letter says
"The advance OF Russian arms In Asia has taken
place partly in spite OF the central government
and partly without its sanction. This results from
the force OF circumstances and cannot well be
avoided. Russia, however, should see that her
acquisitions be selfsustainlag, instead of
being a burden and source OF weak:
Asia were wearled with the uncomfortable tyranny
OF their rulers, and were not opposed to trying
rapidlty and ease OF the Russian conquest The
proper condition for Russia in Asia Is that of arb
traitor. She should confirm IN ONCE native officials
selected by the people; or, II those elected were
not OF the right character, appoint Hew ones. In
short the Russian authorities should lie the JUICES
OF the governing native officials, and the protec-
tors OF the governed population IN cases OF oppres
sion by the iormer. Instead OF this an expensive
and numerous bureaucracy is organized for the
OF the country This bureaucracy requires more
money for its support than the country is able to
pay and the deficit, which now amount to 1900, 600
rubes yearly, must be taken from the taxpayers OF
Russia ITSELF who at present carry as
great hs.r burden as Their shoulders can
Russia In their local affairs dispeases the
natives, and consequently u much larger number
present there are 10000 men in Turkestan 10, 900
would be ample under different management. Rus
will lie able to threaten her frontier and render
her tenure OF Asia costly and difficult one. BY
proper management Russia might WELD an almost
unDOunded influence IN Asia, IL Is for the govern
ment to ponder over this serious question at the
present moment. IL may be too late hereafter to
correct mistakes which are beginning to be pro-
ductive Of very evil results"
such are few OF the ideas in this remarkable
paper am told that some OF the ablest men of
the country accept them fully and hope Tor their
adoption. 1t but remains for the government to
become convinced OF their business. In case such
should be the result probably General Tchernyaen
himself VIII be sent TO Asia to put his system in
practical operation.
ARMY REORGANIZATION
The question OF military reform has occupied the
Russian government Tor number OF years. IL
followed indeed, closely upon the other reforms
begun during the present reign, being introduced
by the Minister of War; General Mllutiu. He was "A
professor in one OF the military academies at st.
Petersburg and later chief OF stan under Prince
Bariatinsky, Niceroy oil the Caucasus General
Mutln was present at the capture OF Scnamy AMI
after the close Of the war in Daghestan returned to
-. Petersburg, where he was soon made Minister
OF War, post which he still occupies. Alter the
FrancO-Prussian war the car resolved TO intro
on the Prussian system. This project has been
subjected to committee now in session ar ~.
Petersburg, whose labors will be finished before
the end OF the present year when It's report will be
submitted TO a second committee. which Will
include Field Marshal Prince Bariatinsky. Count
Berg, Niceroy or Poland; General kotzebue, Gov
ernor General OF Southern Russia; Todteben and
other celebrities OF the Russian army. The prop
ositiQn Is very severely attacked by some
Oh the highest military authorities OF Russia,
among others by General Fady eefi, the wel-known
author Oh "The Armed Power OF Russia" "Sixty
FEARS W az on the Caucasus and other writings,
most OF which have been trs nslated into the differ
emu european Languages. lie has recently pub
usneu series OF articles In the st. Petersburg
RUSSIAN W0Ttd criticising very ably and severely
the so-caLed reform which he saws seeks 70
combine two trreconciable systems. the French
ard the Prussian. The opposition 20 General Mi
luton's plan IL not 10 the mari relatinc "a
universal military service but TO the or.
ganization OF the army, which, IT is contended ia
detective, and, II carried out Will eudanoer The
position OF Russia In Europe '"0
One thing Is sure, Prussia is watching with s,een.