New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-08-16

AlBnhhs 0ud PROBABLY at tnls moment COun-
try held neither by Bokharan by Afghan troops
The territory Of Bakh $50 miles in length by
100 in breadth. With the OIus the north, Balkh is
bounded by the Hndoo-Koosh on the south and, aban
dOnlng the line OF the OXus restricting them unduly
the Russians oil appearances about 70 assert
that the HindooKoosh. forms the natural limit to their
Central Asian possessions 1t has been suggested that
England will have right take offence at the occupa-
ton OF BaIkh since, though claimed by the Emr of Az
ghanstan OF his provinces 1t has been be-
meath shere Ais actual rule According, indeed TO the
Russians, Balkh belongs to the Emr OF Bokhara but
the Emr OF Bokharas view the subject is sufficiently
shown by his asking the Russian agent what shere Ali
would say 90 the expedition Balkh Is In fact disputed
territory When, years ago, the English and Rus
sian Governments entered into discussion on Central
Asian affairs with view 20 the recognition OF neutral
between the Russian possessions I'm Central Asia
and the English possessions in India at least the
tracing OF line beyond which the Russians should not
advance, II seemed difficult for time to
understanding in regard to Balkh which the Russians de-
cared was province Of Bokhara while the English main
tanned that Il formed portion Of shere Ans dominOns.
Ultimately, Prince Gortscbakod agreed 20 look upon
Balkh Afghan territory, INTO which the Russians
would have no right 10 penetrate The lne moreover,
which understood that the Russians were
cross was that formed by the Amoo-Darla or Oxus.
Bakb however south OF the oxus, that is say
the Afghan, the Bokharian side OF the river In
ancient times this province overrun by Genghs
Khan Tamerlane aud Sadir Shah, but retained lis
porlance the great highway from China and Central
Asia to india the capital being hating place for cara
OBJECTS OF THE EXPEDITION.
The strength Of the columns which General Kaufman
lead through Bokhara Is not known, but that IL Is
quite formidable may be judged from tine fact that
twenty-five picked officers have been assigned to duty
ON the general STAFF. ENJOYS, moreover. have been
sent from Tashkend various Khanates OF Central
ASIA order TO allies in the expected The
explanations offered by the Moscow press explicit
albeit not wholly Trustworthy. The Gaseae says:
The time has come 10 increase the influence we exer-
else ON the populations Of Central Asia, and this will
be all the easier for U.S. inasmuch as the sovereign OF
Afghnnistan with adycrsarles The de-
veOpment OF our influence the borders Ot the territory
ruled over ny me Epress OF ln.a SVhu DC .e
Asatic Turkey by the English There IN Asia two
political forces advancing one against the other aud
destined fatally 10 meet England desires TO become the
immediate neighbOr OF Russia IN Asia Minor IL Is quite
proach the English frontiers India The Northwestern
frontiers OF India inhabited Dy wnfke tribes which
of Central Asia ambition has been. from time i'm
memorial TO conquer the plains OF Hindostan England
mas always Jealous OF progress In Central Asia
De understands that each step In advance made By u.s.
peu 60 gain, hastens the moment when Russia Will be
able extend and consolidate her influence IN the conn
very favorable for continuing our action
III this sense.
The Interior designs OF the Government may not be so
comprehensive the Moscow journalists set FORTH but
the concentration troops the upper basin OF the
Amoo Dara proves that there Ia serious work in
view than movement upon Merv and the subsection OF
the TurcOmans. While the Russians have no Immediate
designs upon India they have come To regard the Hlndoo
Koosh as their natural frontier, aud disposed 70 on
ter into friendly relations with the Emir OF
Cabul. One Of their most skiful diplomats
has been sent 90 the capital Of Northern Afghan
istan. This Is q significant appointment, mas
much as shere Ali Is not good terms with the British
agents. General Kaufnanns movement may DO only
military survey but this territory between the river
and the must sooner Oh later fall into tho
Ia uds of the Russians IL B evident that they will seize
and retain It whenever they can do 1t conveniently
They will thon be on the aank OF Northern india
ACROSS COUNTRY TO INDIA
The lines OF communication with India, about which
40 much has been written during tho last
two years, are clearly shown In the accompany
ing map The shortest is, Of course. the
water line between the Mediterranean aud the Indian
Seas by way OF the suez Canal and the Red Sea- The
British Navy with it, coaling station OF Cyprus
commands this wafer way. The second line is from the
Mediterranean 10 the Persian Gulf by the Valley Of the
Euphrates This Ia the proposed route VI the Trans
continental Railroad with is branch line to CONSTANT
NOBLE The third line is from Erzerum TO the Persian
Gulf by way OF Bsgdad THIS limo Of communication is
circuitous aud far military operations are con-
cerned impractioabe The Russians have been said 10
threaten this base by the conquest OF Kara and Ba-
tum but even II they could send an army across the
country they would be pOverless &C the head OF the
Persian Gulf unless they had navy Beside thoy have
already shorter line OF approach from the Caspian
Sea through Persia. II, however, they ever wish to
make sortio in the direction OF India they will not
march through Asistc Turkey nor through Persia but
through Bokhara. sam0resnd, which Is now one OF
their ouposts Ia only 533 miles from Peshawur In the
Punjab and IRON tina main pass leading from AfghanlS-
tan into India Tho annexation OF the Khanate OF
Bokhara would bring them within $50 miles OF Cabul.
and the conquest Of Bslkh would place them on the
threshold OF Afghanistan aud OF India.