The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-22
THE PERILs or ENGLAND.

tnke the initiative. and has collected a forco OF
5000 men at the fort OF Ali Musiid. which COM
mands the Khyber Pass. and is distant some
twenty miles from Tumrood. which point Gen.
Ross has reached with about 5000 mon The
Russians threaten to advance to tho Afghan
frontier with an army OF observation OF 2O.OOO
men. They are already established at XIII
Arvat. a position considerably In advance OF
their Legitimate frontier. on their road to Merv.
an oasis in the Turkoran desert on which Rus
STA has long cast covetous eyes. and which will
bring her up almost TO tho gates Of Hcrat
1t is thus evident that. even in the event Of
the most successful issue Of a war with Afghan
istan. tho position OF England will not have i'm
proved as regards Russia. who will have taken
advantage OF the excuse which the war affords
to occupy two points, Merv and Balkh. the pos
session Of which England has always consid-
cred menace to her Indian possessions that
must be resisted by force. And yet II is appa-
rent that the conquest OF AfRhanistan will in
crease her difficulties in this direction. for it
would be scarcely possible to conceive n theatre
Of war more unfortunate for England than the
region which Russia will then occupy.
We have already abundant evidence to prove
that tho relations between Russia and Persia
nre of the closest nature. The cession Of Kho.
toun to Persia as ono Of the spois Of the late
war with Turkey. has bound the Shah to the
chariot wheels Of the Car. This gift Of Turk
ism territory TO Persia was not objected to at the
Congress OF Berlin. and has done more to In
crease the prestige Of Russia in Asia than the
occupation OF Cyprus has done for England;
while the annexation OF Batoum and Kafs has
still further impressed the Persian imag nation
and has furnished Russia with strong stra-
tegical position. The result showed itself In
tho refusal OF the Shah to visit London during
tho occasion Of his recent trpto Europe where
he was for some time the guest Of the Gar. and
the rumors OF disturbances which we receive
from Seistan prove that Persia is beginning to
move under Russian inspiration.
In fact. to those who see beyond the mmedi-
ate present no fact is clearer than that the war
with Afghanistan will lead 10 q war with Persia
and that England will before long find herself
engaged in Asia not openly with Russia. but
with the two powers whom she supports with
men and arms. Russian volunteers will flock
to the native armies engaged against England.
and the latter power will be in the position Of
having either to see Russia steadily advancing
toward her frontier. and aiding her opponents.
or add her to the list Of enemies under the most
unfavorable circumstances.
In fact IL is difficult 10 conceive policy moro
disastrous and shortsighted than that which
has been pursued by the Government in this
Indian difficulty. and it is n question which will
involve serious complications for the future.
success or defeat.
Meantime. Russia is steadily rotreating from
her obligations under the treaty OF Berlin in
Europe. She has no difficulty in finding plausi-
ble excuses 10 Justify her in falling back upon
the treaty Of san Stefano. The premature oc-
cupation Of Bosnia by Austria has produced a
dispute between that country and the Porte
] xsl,f. 81 full au,li Ia. Srlt
now refuses to sign any convention which does
not limit the time OF tho Austrian occupation
| Tho Austrians having met with n resistance
which involved an expenditure Of SO much
blood and treasure. refuse TO be bound down t.
| term. and plainly indicate an intention II an.
| nexing the occupied provinces permanently
This. Russia maintains. is contrary TO the treaty
| OF Berlin. and relieves her from the obligation
| II evacuating Bulgaria. She therefore an
| nounces. not merely that she Is going TO hold
Bulgaria in defiance OF the treaty of Berlin
| but that she will not consent 10 tho finances o
eastern Eoumela being administered by Eu-
| ropean Commission. In compliance with the
nineteenth clause OF that treaty. The result Is
adeadlock for the present between the various
Commissioners appointed to regulate the con
Germs Of this anomalous creation Of the treaty o
Berlin.
vainly endeavoring to induce the Sultan TO in
troduce impossible reforms In Asia Minor. Tn,
Turkish Government have hit upon n capita
pretext for refusing 10 engage in these re-
forms. which cost money. IT, they say Englan,
will find us the money TO carry out all these de
sirable projects OF reform. we shall be delighted
to cooperate; but n necessary preliminary il
large loan. Turkish loans are by no mean,
eagerly subscribed for even by the confdinl
British capitalists. and the Government coul,
only hope to find the required amount by
guarantee. measure which the House Of Com
mons would never sanction. SO reforms II
Asia Minor are at a standstill. and are likely I,
remain so for some time A recent article b,
Mr.. Archibald Forbes. the well-known Dahl
Ne'rs correspondent. in the Nineteenth Century
called the " Fiasco" Of Cyprus. has not tende,
TO Increase the general satisfaction with tn,
policy OF the Government; and his criticisms
seem borne out 10y events The rains hav,
now set in; the health Of the troops is rattle
worse than better: both Christians and Turk
are so far disappointed. for the capital which
they expected 10 benefit by IL retreating from
the island. rs spectators are returning dis
gusted with their prospects. 1t is probable
however, that this is reaction which will no
last. Tho unhealthiness OF the island is doubt
less exaggerated. and as substantial building
colle 10 pe erected, lne towns clcanSed. anu TN
cold weather approaches. Cyprus will not b.
found to possess all the evils with which II Il
now credited.
On Saturday Inst tho first meeting Of the Cab
met since the rising of Parliament took place
Considering tho critical political condition o
affairs and tho important questions nwaitin!
decision. the absence OF Cabinet councils ha
been much commented upon. Tho Afghan dim
Guilty was no doubt discussed at length and III,
question Of whether Eng land or India was to pa,
the cost OF the war is one which the public de
mands to be- informed upon. Tho probability Il
that the expense Of tho war will be shared be
tween England and India.
Tho political crisis In Austria Is also on
which is likely to force new issues upon tina
country. The rival parties ARE becoming in
tensey bitter, Germans and Hungarians To-
once uniting against the Slav element. which Il
rapidly acquiring dangerous prcdomnanco
and which the annexation Of Bosnia must in
crease 10 n formidable extent. In Germany til,
Socialist question ahsorts the public mind. an,
has reached point where either the Chancello
1A