The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-27
Professor Martens Work on
Cen trail Asia.
A BALLON D'ESSAI.
Proposition that the Rival Powers She
Sink Petty Jealouses.
is 1T AN OFFICIAL INSPIRATION?


Petersburg. recently published pamphlet, In
Russia. on Russia and England in Central ASIA"
Professor Martens work created considerable ex-
element i'll European diplomatic circles at the time,
principally because the author advocated in 1t some
rather remarkable views. Instead OF adopting the
old notion that Russia and England were compelled
to be at daggers drawn in Central Asia, he
suggested that after England had annexed the
greater part Afghanistan and Russia had annexed
the Turcoman territory down to the Hindoo Koosh.
the two Powers should then stop, shake hands
across the Roof of the World and proceed. each in
her particular fashion, in the grand work Of
carrying true civilization to the Central Asiatcs
The idea was especially notable coming from Rus
sian source, and when the fact taken into con-
sideraton that Professor Martens is imperial
professor of international law. and
quently paid servant OF the Russian
State. the European diplomatic world evinced
a warm desire to read the work of the Russian pro-
lessor in some non-Russian language. This desire
increased when it was further rumored that the
work, though written by the learned professor OF
international law. had been fact inspired by the
Russian government itself
WORK IT?
The work is about to DO published in English
translation in London. l have been fortunate
enough to advance sheets Of the work
and send you summary of the contents.
Whether the work Is inspired Of the govern
ment not, it is exceedingly ably written,
and really contains views which would hardly
credit at first blush to learned professor of inter-
national law. 1t bears internal evidence of having
been fashioned by a statesmanly mind. OF interna-
tional law the pamphlet has but little to say in
deed the author gives the law Of nature the place of
honor over that OF nations The history of the
progress of Russia and England in Central Asia and
India is given in tho clearest shape of jnridical
argument the attempt to prove justice injustice
either side, there is scarcely trace The work is
devoted to the carrying out Of only a single idea
that is that Russias mission in Asia is bounded on
the south by the Hindoo Koosh. and that instead of
Afghanistan being permitted to remain q neutral
ground. kind OF "buffer'' between the two rival
Powers. Russia and England should make up their
minds to meet on either side of that range, shake
hands and be friends. Published with the
sanction. as it wore. of the Russian gov.
eminent. the plan contained in Professor
Martens book has all the appearance Sf
being diplomatic feeler. ballon d'essa and bears
the impress Of authority such Professor Martens
would not venture to give unauthorized. The very
first pages of the book show that we have not to
deal with q simple professor of international law
alone.
THE EFFECT OF THE GUNDAMAK TREATY.
Speaking of the Treaty Of Gundamak the author
says-
If the treaty is carried out thoroughly Afghanstan
WILL assuredly become British dependency. The
Viceroy of India will rule supreme at Cabu Afghan
in Asia will be brought into contguity
with the countries placed under the imperial sceptre
Of the Queen OF England This treaty of peace
will thus have brought about that propinquity be-
tween tho possessions of Russia and England in
Central Asia which many Englishmen pronounced
to be the greatest peril that could menace British
uvictiOu
land that the territory of the Ameer OF Cabul
should forever remain neutral; and n ought
India and the Asiatic khanates annexed by Russia.
Englands new policy in Asia has displaced that
buffer destroyed that barrier, and removed the last
obstacles which prevented direct collision between
Russia and England in the barren plains OF Asia.
What i'm prudence. what Encouragement on the part
of the English government! exclam the critics and
adversaries of Lord Beaconsheld What want OF
foresight, what criminal rashnessl will those Eng
lishmen excaim who share the opinion of the Duke
OF Argyll, that jealousy aud fear of Russia has be-
come a mania" From that point OF view the peace
concluded with Afghanistan would merit the lively
approval of those Russians who tho progress OF
their country forces in Central Asia only advance
toward India. In their eyes the steady and victor
GUS advance of our troops brings Russia nearer and
to the most vulnerable part OF the British
Empire. Few men of sound sense. however, in
Russia regard British India the goal OF the VIC
torious progress of arms. On the contrary, the
belief that the conquest of those barbarian khanaes
III the heart of Asia imposes q heavy burden upon
the Russian exchequer, and that imperious neces-
sity alone has prevented the Russian government
far more generally entertained than is the former
belief.
RUSSIAN AND ENGLISH ANTAGONISTS.
This, you will perceive, has an inspired tone.
Much moro so the following pages Professor
Martens goes on to show how the policy Of tho
English government toward Russia has of late years
been marked with such palpable Ill will. and that
the attitude of England throughout the late in
the Balkan peninsula was so systematically hostile
to the most legitimate pretensions and aspirations
of tho RUSSIAN nation. that 'in Russia even those
who Wow with misgiving the progress of our
quests have become reconciled to the idea that d
version may some day be made toward that India so
priced by England. 1t will then be easily under
stood how 1t to pass that those Russians
who nowise enthusiastic about their country
Asiatic conquests have gradually become familiar
lied with the idea that trial of strength
with the English on the banks OF the Indus or on
the heights OF the Hindoo Koosh has become iu-
evitable and is commanded by an uncomfortable
law oil nature" "But." the author asks, after as
Stunning that the Asiatic possessions of England and
Russia are contiguous, "s 1t really true that u
struggle between Russia and England the banks
OF the Indus is absolute necessity. an unavoid-
able fatality? Arc these two great civilized Powers
inevitably driven by destiny to offer to the savage
population OF Asia the sad spectacle OF fierce and
mcrciess slaughter? Does 1t become Euro
pcan civilization, represented In Central Asia
by England and Russia alone, to stir
up the worse instincts of these Asiatic
hordes and to avail themselves of the savage hatred
which these barbarans entertain toward all Chris
tan and civilized nations? Has tho following ques-
ton been seriously considered (which in the end
will benefit by such struggle between England and
Russia? VIII either of these two Powers--suppos-
ing one Of them to DO ultimately victorious--dnd
itself in q position to retain under Its sway tho
whole CT these Asatic peoples and all the savage,
predatory tribes which have contributed to its tri-
umph to-day
HOSTILITY NOT NECESSARY.
"Whoever, continues Professor Martens, "seri-
ousy considers the above questions must become
convinced that a struggle between Russia and Eng
land in Central Asia would be fiightful calamity
for both nations. As for ourselves, the more we
have studied the posture of affairs in ASIA the moro
have followed the progress of Russian and British
conquest in that quarter OF the world. the moro wo