, 1877-06-20

that we find them now denied or describ.
ed as the fctions Of an over.excited appre-
h%ension.
1t cannot be our interest to see our com.
morce shut out from a great portion of the
Black Sea; it cannot be beneficial to US
that all the best harbcurs should be in
the possession of an Empire that scarcely
attempts to conceal its hostility towards
us; and we cannot view with Indifference
our trade with Persia blocked at several
OF its most convenient outlets. Nor are
our political interests less concerned in
the result of this invasion than our COM
mercial. While the possession of Trebi-
zonde by Russia would be the death knell
of all hope of extension of our trade with
Persia, the vantage ground secured by the
possession of Armenia, placing Russia
within striking distance of the Levant,
and rendering encroachmcnts down the
Tigris and the Euphrates easy of execution
and of excuse, would be most preiudicial
to our position in Asia. Again, Russia's
Tightening hold on Persia cannot be re-
garded with any but feelings of the Keen
est alarm. 1t is beside the question to
say that we could always blockade the
Persian Gulf, for the danger would not be
there. Russia never dreams of invading
India by sea. The real danger to our In
dian Empire lies, as Sir Henry Rawlinson
has said, by the road drawn from the
south east corner Of the Caspian through
Herat to Cabul that is to say, through
Meshed and the Persian province Of Leis'
tan, and the distrjctswatered by the Muir
ghab and the Meri. The career of In1la1
c0nquerofs. from Alexan Ter TO Akber, too
clearly shows the only vulnerable approach
to the Indies. It is, therefore, with very
considerable anxiety that we see the false
doctrine proplgated that the affairs OF
Persia and of those States which are
neighbouring to that kingdom are matters
with which we need not trouble ourselves.
On the contrary, they are matters that
claim our consta0t attention., aud the very
last settlement that we should sanction is
the strengthening of Russia in this quart
err. If on SO vital a point we are thus
complaCent, we may rest assured that
Russia will proceed to claim our indulgence
TO any extent. The desire to avoid War
is uppermoSt, we are sure, In the heart OF
every true EngIishman. 1t is a dire ne.
cassity that must be postponed as long as
possible, but there is a poiut of endurance
beyond which it would be folly to ven
ture, In the interests Of peace let Russia
clearly understand that we are anxious
ly Watching her movements in Armenia
and in Asia generally, and that the real
opinions of the country are not represent
ed when jSf7 pretended that the occupa.
ton OF AfmeHia would be no concern of
ours. If Russia has wiIfuIIy misread the
intentions of this country, if it has con.
strued our neutrality as a passive &C
quiescence in its schemes Of conquest, il
it believes that we are blind to interests
of which it perceiges the value, it is
only leading itself into q FOOLS paradise.
This country is not blind to the impor-
lance OF the maintenance of the integrity
of Persia, nor is it careless of its cOm-
mercial and political interests in Arme-
MIA and the Black Sea. And the instant
it perceives that the fit limits of its en-
durance have been reached, it will not
hesitate to declare its decision, no mat
ter at what cost.
~1RAnnNHn mn TYTNTC