The Morning herald., 1875-11-16
THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE TO INDIA.

III llle COTTespoh"ShsS VI 'iO huN'A"A'
Grand Duke, with Lizzie Ely, his cher ami,
che heroine of what is called the Russian
scandal" there are two or three notes OF
great political Importance. Il am here
biyouaced in the desert with the men
around me, so soon destined TO march across
Afghanistan to the conquest of India" Ii
was never expected by the Grand Duke
that his letters to his dearest Darling"
would ever appear in public, and of course
he naturally spoke out his feelings, and
those of the soldiers his comrades. This
letter is of great political significance, as ii
reflects truly the Russian ''lanl hunger" or
thirst of conquest. To most of our read
ers this Eastern question is obscure; it is
so-for the reason that it has many phases.
The capture of Cons'antizople by Russia,
would in all probability stay her march to-
wards British India, and change her policy
in its main features. That city as COM
monty supposed, has no special hearing
upon India-there was a time, when
Schamyl ruled in the Caucasus (the noun
tain region between the Black and Caspian
Seas), that it was notably important for
Russia, to close the Black Sea by the pos
session Of Constantinoale, and prevent any
aid being given to the Caucassians. 1t was
a matter of surprise to many, that Russia
confirmed spending millions c! money, and
sacrificing myriaas Of men, to conquer z
few rude nountaineers. A look at the map,
explains all. With the Caucasus in hostile
hands, Russia would have one OF her
tanks exposed to constant danger, in the
march to Khiva, Bockhara, and India.
Having stamped out the las: spark OF
Caucasian revolt,she is at liberty to move
onward at her leisure, perfectly secure in
her lines Of communication with her sapi-
tails, and depsts. Russia i. now mistress
Of Khiya, Bochhar., ,SamArcand,and Nerve.
The latter city is in the midst of a most
mixture Of sand desert, and
swamp, but singularly we'll situated for an
advance into Afghanistan. The three
folmer posts are upon the Oxus, large
river flowing into the Sea, or Lake Of Aral
emhosomed in the nidst of country rich
in every kind Of military and naval stores.
A f1otilla capable of carrying any number
of soldiers, can steam up the Oxus, to the
confluence of that river with the Hissar,
near the considerable town of Balkap in
Bockhara. 1t is exactly one hundred and
eighty miles from Balkap to Cabool-one
hundred more miles the Britis! frontier is
reached. Ii our readers will look at a
map Of Asia, their eyes can be directed to
three practicable passes to India, from the
Russian positions in Central Asia.
/. Russia is mistress of the Caspian Sea,
into it fews in the southeast the Atrack,
quite large river, navigable for consid-
cradle distance towards Herat, "the key to
India," in that direction. Persia alone
could fight Russia, if she attempted to
enter India by this route, but is so feeble,
that division o. Cossacks would keep her
matchbox men quiet. Posted in Herat
four hundred miles through semi-friend-
ly country, BeeloochiStsn, brings Russia
to India. What is that to the Cossack,
who canterel from Moscow, to Paris, in
the wake of Napoleon.
H. The ascent of the Oxus to Bokhara,
and a march through the passes of the
mountains by the caravan route is thus
measured to Nerve 1870 miles, hence tc
Herat, 24O miles, to unite with the Rus
sian columns from the Caspian. In this
view the occupation OF Nerve is most inn
portant to Russia.
The far Eastern route is of all other, the
most dangerous to England, as the Rus
slams obj ective point, is so distant from the
place Of debarkation for any troops from
Eurore-Leing at leas, l2C0 miles. Fer
thousands of years, India has been entered
by way of Balkap, at the head Of the navi-
cation Of the Oxus. There is an easy route
through the IIindo Coosh Mountains to
|
Cabool, only $50 miles away-Cdbool, the
capital city of Afshani,tan.we need hardly
tell our readersis a considerable place, in the
heart Of a country capable of supplying al
most any army, that woald ray for its pre-
visions, with all it might wait in food
ahd horses. The important British posts
of Jelalabad land PeShawa',r in the en-
chanting valley Of Cashmere, are only a
Cossacks days ride " ofCabool.