National Republican., 1878-09-18

christianity Is an unheard WOru III luIkls-
tan. No schools are established, no rail-
ways connect with tho civilization of
the West Russia brought into Central
Asia sword, conquered by the sword,
rules by the sword. A faulty judiciary, IN
ill-rcgulnted military despotism is Russian
policy In Turkistan. Yet on the whole, her
rule is beneficial. 1t is better than anarchy
and the unbridlcd rule OF fanatical despots.
From the time of the Mohammcdan con-
quest to the time of British rule in India
the condition of the Hindoo was practically
stationary. Into country stagnnnt Tor
ages the Englishman brought life, broke up
old systems of oppression, and gave English
energy and experience to develop the FL
Dorado of the East. True, he placed the
country under foreign yoke; but he
brought with him European civilization,
the school, the printing press, the telegraph,
aud railway. In return he took the wealth
of the ages India served as o pensioning
ground for English soldiers and adventures.
The civil service given by the Englishman
is corrupt. The judiciary is essentially
English. England's policy toward India is
n moncy-making policy. The country is
bank in which she makes deposits and on
which she draws enormous drafts. Eng
land has duty toward India, but in the
English mind that duty is subordinate to
British interests. With all possible respect
for Mr.. GLADSTONE, we beg leave to differ
when he says: We have no interest in
India except the wcll-being of India
itsclc' To say that the Englishman
conquered India or now holds the country
to confer boon Oh the Iiindoo is the
height of absurdity. The value OF India
recognized, English enterprise sought to pos
seSs it. England acquired India because
England was strong, and holds 1t because
she is still strong. She holds it for British
interest, not for Indian civilization. She
holds 1t as a source of revenue and q meas
Of power. Yet Mr.. GLADSTONE compla-
Gently makes this assertion: "The capital
agent in determining whether our power
ain India shall continue is the will OF the
"2iO,OOJ,OJO Of people who inhabit India.
"Thc question of supreme rule in India is
IAN Indian question. English title there
depends on Englnnd being profitable TO
India and on England being able to make
India so sec' Is the hereditary policy Of
Great Britain to be abandoned? Will she
willingly relinquish her claim to the will Of
her Indian subjects? II India, why not
Ireland? Will England allow that the
question of supreme rule in Ireland Is an
! I,tah rnnatinnp Tho ,,,,llnpriun, Ia ~ nt
yet come. Mr.. GLADSTONE might find
it difficult to show why English can
non have suppressed native revolts; why q
standing army of 10000 English troops has
been quartered in India. The popular voice
of England is, Hold India at all hazards -
The capital agent in determining whether
English power in India shall continue is
| English interest. The question of supreme
rule in India is q question of pounds and
shillings. English title there depends on
Englands being able TO maintain her posi-
tiOn.
The circumstances ofthe Englishman and
the Russian in Asia are widely different,
and naturally call forth these different poll
cies, The Englishman develops India for
English interest. For this he entered India I;
for this he introduced the improvements
which have brought India out of state of
barbarism. In Central Asia the Russian
ilnds no call for such a policy. The country
is unproductive; the receipts from commerce
and tribute are greatly exceeded by the cost
of maintaining Russian supremacy. Why,
then, has Russia pushed her conquests in
Central Asia? Here we come to the base of
tho Asiatic question. Surely the Russian
knew that territorial acquisition was not in
itself means of power. Was Turkistan q
stepping stone to further acquisitions? This
question quickly brought the English
'alarmst' to the front He has experienced
numerous attacks-that "alarmist." In 1859
and 1850 1t was on account Of France; 1862
America was the cause in 1870 it was in
spired by the battle of Dorking;" now he
suffers from severe attack of Russo
"phobia." He sees the "seven-league boots"
OF Russia striding over Afghanistan
and the Himalayas into India. The
Russian undoubtedly occupied Central
Asia in anticipation of further con-
quests and that these conquests might
be detrimental to British interest
was rendered probable by the deceptive
policy assumed by Russia toward England
The Russian has moved stealthily in Cen
tral Asia. His policy is announced only by
acts. The Russian government represented
the taking of Khiva rs an act of disobedi-
encc on the part of General KAUFFMANN
but General KAUFFMANS was punished foI
his disobedience by an appointment MS gov,
ernor of the new province-a grand incen,
tive for future disObedience. The alarmist
is, however, anticipating. We're Russia to
make direct campaign upon India through
Central Asia the Persian and Afghan must
be reduced before the borders of India can
be reached and the campaign actually be.
, igin. In such an expedition Russia had best
equip half her army with spades, with
( which to bury the other half, and would be
, more likely to see an English fleet anchored
under the walls of ST. Petersburg than Eng,
land to see n Russian army before Calcutta
! i III 4 H. l.. =