The New York herald., 1879-09-29

of Central Asia by the Russian government. Tho
first of these in the above year started from Krasna
vodsk under the command of Prince Bekowitch. He
Circassan, who previous to receiving the title
OF prince had been named Devlet Ghirei. Noticed as
expert and daring soldier lie selected for the
difficult and dangerous mission of occupying Khiva.
He had with him 1000 cavalry, eight guns and
couple of infantry battalions. Two COM
panies of these latter he mounted OF Tur-
loss of both men and horses Prince Be-
kowitch reached Porsu, within four days
march of Khiva. There he was met by deputation
from the Khan conveying the wishes OF the latter
to enter into negotiations and declaring that they
considered it useless to attempt resisting the Rus
sian troops. Misled by these declarations the
Prince, leaving his infantry behind at Porsu.
marched with 500 cavalry all that remained OF his
4,O0O to a village twenty versts further on to meet
the Khan. Here the Russian commander foolishly
allowed his men to be quartered separately in the
different kibitkas where during the night they were
led round to view the corpses of his slaughtered sol
diers, and then put to death himself. This dis
Central Asia for nigh century. and the recollec-
ton of the disaster still lives IN popular
Russian tradition. and "lost like Bekowitch"
has passed into u proverb. The next attempt
to penetrate into the interior from Kras-
navodsk made In the year 1873 by Colonel
MarkosofY. Marching northeast. by way OF Igdi
he reached Balaicham distance of over five hun
dred versts from Krasnavodsk His progress was
entirely unopposed but the loss OF 1000 caels and
many Of his soldiers obliged him to retrace his steps
to the point from which he started. MarkosoH is
still living and has attained the rank of general.
The third expedition took place in the year and
was directed by Colonel (now General) Lomakin.
who accompanied General Lazareff on the present
occasion. Such is brief resume OF expeditions
against the Turcomans from the Eastern Caspian
coast.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY.
The difficulties before the present expedition are
doubtless enormous. English military authorities
admit that the final success of the Russians is
merely a question Of time. A writer in the
Standard says:-"The Tekes in their present state
are unable to resist the Russian forces that
being sent against them as the Aneer of Afghan
istan to oppose the British" Weight is added
to this opinion when take into consideration the
facts that Russo-Bokharan force is being collected
at Charjui, the Oxus, with the design of attack
ing Merv from another quarter. and that Persia has
arranged send 1000 foot soldiers drilled by Aus
trian officers and 1000 horse. drilled by Russians
to cooperate in the campaign. Before the recent
necessity of garrsoning Herat If the Russians sue
ceeded in capturing Merv. And then. as the Stand
ard remarked. he most Utopian OF politicians might
be excused for having little faith in the durability
of pacific understanding in Central Asia when
there were Cossacks in Merv aud Sepoys IN Herat. "
The idea Of occupying Herat must now be abandoned
by England since she will have her hands quite full
with Cabul. Should Yakoob Khan be found guilty
OF treachery in the Afghan the question
Russia from England in Central Asia would be
easy Of solution. The hUdLide Rasse in long,
noteworthy and probably inspired article pub
tween England and Russia in Asia is the existence
between them of q zone Of weak neutral States
which each fancies itself bound to protect concili
ate overawe. England lnvades Afehanistan for
fear Russia should. and Russia conquers Merv fol
fear England should. Neither is benefited in the
least by either acquisition. and neither would be &c
ready to quarrel if the frontiers touched"
FRONTIER.
The detection OF Yakoob Khan would permit Eng
land conscientiousy to annex Cabul and extend hel
Indian borders to the southern lines Of the Hindoc
Koosh. The occupation OF Cabul by England woulc
serve as an excuse to Russia for occupying Herat
and then the whole Of the Central Asiatic region
north of Persia and the Hindoo Koosh extending a
far as China would be under the civilizng contro