The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-27

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question: both classes OF interests mperatively re-
qnire that these two great Powers should stihe all
| hankerings. Their mission in Asia imposes upon
| them imperiously the duty OF pursuing common
and united policy toward the peoples OF Asia; Their
true and lasting interests require that they should
shake HANDS. in friendly concert, the summit of
the Hindoo Koosh. and defend maniuy the con-
quests they have respectively achieved i'll the cause
of civilization and humanity; the future OF Asia and
the prosperity OF their respective possessions tor
bid Russia ana England from ever forgetting the
| sublime mission allotted to them by divine prov-
dence for the welfare of the barbarous and SEMI
civilized Inhabitants OF that quarter OF the globe
Just in proportion as England and Russia may show
themselves alive to the community of their respec-
| tive interests i'll ASIA and may become convinced
that the leading feature of civilization is spirit of
cooperation for the attainment OF poble aims. will
they consolidate their rule the people of Asia
aud strengthen the guarantees for general peace
of Europe as well as Asia
SECURED
The last hundred pages of Professor Martens
book are devoted to a survey of the diplomatic rela
tions between Russia and England respecting Cen
trail Asia review of this portion would not prove
of any particular interest at this moment. The
closing pages of the book. however. worthy Of
being quoted almost entirely, giving they do.
apparently semi official exposition of the methods by
which peace between Russia and England can be
in regard to Central Asiatic affairs Says
the author:-
We feel satisfied that the contact between the pos
sessions of England and Russia in Central Asia which
is plainly approaching must have beneficial iufu-
the relations OF the two Powers, both In
Europe and ASIA as it will constantly remind them
that they are neighbours that they have in
defend and that the defence OF these
ests to be efcacious must hinge on respect for their
individual interests. The proximity of Russia and
England in Asia is calculated to inspire the English
government with greater respect for the rights of
Russia and to stihe every thought the part of the
latter of damaging British interests in India In
word. England having, through the contact of the
English ana Russian possessions in Central Asia,
lost her nsllar position will be forced to abandon
her insular policy.
Powers in that common path and toward that noble
| goal We have seen that the negotiations respect
2ouo THERE RESPECTIVE an
| sessions Asia proved fruitless. Yet
can question the high capacity. the honest inten-
tions and the persevering efforts OF the statesmen
| who conducted these negotiations The force Of
things was stronger than human will. All attempts
that may yet be made to establish an intermediate
| zone between the Russian and English possessions
| must fail
We have said that in opinion the contiguity of
the spheres of action of England and Russia would
prove positive benefit and not calam-
| ity. Afghanstan is now practically a prov
ince Of the Empire Of India. and the policy
| of Lord Beaconsteld and Lord Lytton has
no doubt unwittingly brought about a state OF
| things in Asia which anticipated with
dread by Englishmen. We contend that the contigu
ty of their respective territories in Asia is the only
practical and solid basis of thorough understanding
between the two nations. We're that primary con-
dition of thorough understanding once realized
the other conditions would present little difficulty
The only further conditions to which we attach i'm
portancc are the following:-
In the the rst place it is indispensable that the
two Powers should accept as absolute truth or
sbeginning OF the end OF their domination in that
quarter of the globe. The day that Russia van
Of Rnssas owns rne tber. n tS U
day that England shall gain decisive victory
Russia in Asia British India will be half lost to her.
This proposition which at the first glance may APP
| pear paradoxical. is founded considerations
which deserve the attention Of the statesmen of
Let us suppose that England should declare war
against Russia and should select Central Asia for
the field of her military operations, 1t is
tain that the native leves would form the bulk of
the English army The Indian princes would
| be invited to join in tho expedition which would
doubtless be Undertaken on vast scale Were Russia
defeated, England's Asiatc troops would naturally
claim most of the credit and the glory The larger
the number Of natives in the invading army, the
more clearly would the Indian princes perceive the
weakness Of England's military power. and the
selves the real conquerors of Russia. Thus
an. Anglo.R Russian war in, Asia. il attended
of developing confidence in their
prowess among the subject races of India.
hitherto been wanting in the 200 0OO,O 900 inhab-
itants Of British India When that docile popula-
alive weakness Of the end of British rule
in India will not be far of.
IMAGINARY INVASION.
Let us suppose the TO be reversed let
imagine Russia despatching an expedition against
India. the English forces defeated the British from
tiers crossed. Hindostan invaded and the native
population in revolt. II Russia should attack
England in India an instruction of the natives
would certainly form an auxiliary element OF sue
cess Suppose British rule to have been
thrown and the last vestRes Of British soy.
What could Russia do with these 200 OOO. 900 poo
pie who fear. dislike and betray English and Rus
SLAMS alike because they Christians and Euro
pcans2 Could Russia occupy the throne vacated by
England? Could she ever succeed in imposing her
authority on the 200. 600 souls who now obey the
English through habit and fear? Lastly. would it
be advantageous for Russia to take possession of
these distant regions?
We believe that every Russian who loves his coun-
try and understands its true interests will answer
with us all these questions in the negative: The
immoderate extension of the territory Of Russia
must diminish her defensive strength and her mate
rial resources. The permanent subsection to the
Russian sceptre of 20O.OO0,0O0 Hindoos and Mussul
mans is nothing else than dream the project of
heated imagination. The inevitable upshot of
Russian successes in India would be the formation
of number of Independent States infinitely more
menacing to Russias Asatic possessions than is the
civilized and Christian government at Calcutta and
creating tar more serious embarrassments.
DANGERS FROM JEALoUsIEs
When competent authorities in England shall
have calmly measured tho University of the
dangers that would inevitably result from victories
or even partial successes over Russia, the war
will no longer be overpowered by the din and
bellicose clamor of pseudo patriotism. Cordial re-
laons with Russia will then be felt be necessity.
In the second place. people in England must dismiss
their inveterate suspicious Of Russian schemes of
conquest. suspicious which still haunt the English
press and occasionally find utterance in Parliament
England must bear in mind that in the space of the
last forty years, she herself has acquired provinces
containg far richer and by many millions larger
population than that which is scattered Russias
acquisitions between the Voga and the frontiers Of
China England must also be brought perceive that
by her ever recurring display OF animosity toward
Russia she lowers her prestige, diminishes her
thority and enables Asatic governments to bargain
for favors unworthy of great European Power.
ASIA LOOKING on
Asiatic governments are fully aware OF the antag-
onsm which exists between England and Russia,
and on the strength of it they manage to exact
concs ssions of various kinds. OK this the CON-
munications between the late Ameer OF Cabul
and the government Of Calcutta furnish abund-
ant evidence. Shcrc Ali Khan and his ministers
frequently told the Viceroy that they were quito
alive to the importance of Afghanistan for the de-
fence of British India. The Ameer said bluntly that
the English government was bound to defend his
territory In order to the safety OF its own
posscssons Ii was on that ground that Shere Ali
Khan demanded, sometimes in rather arrogant Ian
guage, subsidies of money and munitions OF war.
The large sums paid him he considered to be fairly