The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-23
RUSSIAN EXPLORATION EAST.

Grand Duke NichOlas' Expedition for
tho Exploration OF the Oxus.
[St. Petersburg MAY 81 correspondence OF London
News.l
The despatch or the Russian expedition under
the orders OF the Grand Duke Nicholas Constanti-
novitch, to explore the waters OF the Lower Oxus
and their surrounding localities excites much
interest here. The latter have been hitherto
shrouded in good deal OF mystery. Opinions in
high places have. it is believed, varied as to the
organization OF the expedition; but for the rest OF
the world such differences can scarcely have
much significance. The observations to be made
Dy the different sections into which the ex-
petition Is divided in the various branches
OF scientific inquiry will 60 Tar to settle
important geographicar questions. Still more,
these labors may tend to a solution OF the diff
cuities attaching to the navigation OF that great
line OF water communication whose sources were
first visited by the EnglIshman Wood 1t is not for
England. who has sacrificed so many OF her sons
In the path OF geographical enterprise, to regard
with jealousy Russian expedition of this pature.
England, engaged In the task of civilizlng
900 OF her Indian Empire, can display no
carping spirit should russian researches on the
4xus result IN opening up communication with
the neart Of Asia, and in establishing route by
which commerce and the arts may cope with the
barbarism and ignorance OF those distant popula-
lions.
THE OBJECTS OF THE EXPEDITION
may Dc ueSCrtDeu III JulS. Wise. "A close cX0mlua-
ton Is TO be made OF the lower waters OF the Syr
Darya and Anu Darya. surveys OF their branches
and the adjacent localities are to be entered on
and lines OF levels from the river the other
are to be taken. The delta OF the Anu will be ex-
alnined In the grearest detail and stations for
meteorological observations Will be established
along Its course. the geology Of the adjacent dis
tricts, together with their flora and fauna. will be-
thoroughly explored, while IN the photographic
and statistical sections observations Will be made
on the population anu It's economic conditions,
and the local archaeology will not be for
gotten. The navigation OF the river will be ex-
ahmed to as great an extent as the
political exigences Of the moment Will
allow, while subsidiary parties Will investl-
gate the country between the Caspian and
the Aral, with view to solution of the question
whether these seas did not originally form single
one. The well known dry bed Of the ancient Oxus
Is to be thoroughly examined. as well as what may
be called Its continuation frcm the head OF the ex-
listing delta In q northeaserly direction, toward
the Syr Darya. These Investigations, it is hoped,
may throw light on the theory, recently pr0mul-
gated, that In times wnen the Caspian and Aral
formed single sea the Syr Darya QrOm the point
where nowadays It spreads out in unhealthy
marshes) took 4 southwesterly direction. passing
BY Khiva into the Caspian, near Krasnoyodsk.
That q full measure OF success may attend the
labors OF the different sections under the able
superinrendence OF colonel Stoeton, or the stat,
must be the wish OF all interested in geographical
enterprise and the Advancement or humanity.