The New York herald., 1879-10-16
ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.
STRAINED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN
TWEEN scHoUvALoFF AND SALISBURY
SALISBURY REFUSES TO AccEDE TO AN AGREE
MENT TO DIVIDE ATGHANIsTAN.
fBY CABLE TO THE HERALD

CBY CABLE TO THE HERALD.
LONDON, Oct. 10, 1879.
Various rumors that have been floating about
in political circles during the past few weeks
now seem to take on a more definite character.
The following summary of the political situa-
ton is based on information which have sue
ceeded in obtaining from very good author
ity. Prince Bismarck, during his sojourn
defensive alliance between the German and
Austrian Empires. This alliance is strongly
approved by England, though she is not actu-
ally a party to the understanding. The rela-
tions between England and Russia are at tins
moment almost critical. The friendly inter
changes between the two Powers which
were recently observable have given
way to evidences of jealous diplo-
matte questionings. England has been watch
Russian expedition against the Tckke Turco-
mans and the question of possible Russian
cupaton of Herat has been discussed in all its
bearings OH the now absorbing Central Asiatic
question. Russian journals urge the Gar to
extend his territory in Central Asia down to the
Hindoo Koosh and to secure Herat. On Mon
day last Count Schouvaloff, the Russian Arnbas-
sador, had an interview with Lord Salisbury,
when he was instructed to broach the question
o,,fv f;t,u frbo afu
PROPOSAL TO DIVIDE ArGHANIsrAN.
Count Schouvaloff proposed that Russia shall
have the jurisdiction of the western part of
Afghanistan, while England shall take pos
session of the western part as far us the IIindoo
Koosh Lord Salisbury declined in the most
emphatic, even harsh terms, saying that England
would not allow Russia to meddle in any way
whatsoever in the matter He said that the
future of Afghanistan has to be settled
valoff persisted in advocating the plans
suggested by his government, and seeing
Salisbury's stubbornness proposed various
other plans of settling the Central Asiatic diff
Guilty. But Lord Salisbury refused to consider
these propositions. Thus the interview tcrmi-
mated. Count Minister, the German Ambas-
sador Mt the Court of st. james, has had sew
eral interviews with Lord Salisbury during the
past two weeks, and it is believed that his
explanations respecting the present political
situation on the Continent influenced Lord
Salisbury in his unusually emphatic language to
Count yschouvaloff. II Is also rumored that the
English government has lately succeeded in OBJ
tanning certain assurances from the Shah of
Persia Of such nature as to satisfy Lord
Bcaconsfield that in the event of complications
arising between England and Russia Persia
will not side with the latter Power
TIE RUSSIAN EXPEDITION.
The Snnh's assurance, II is thought, may have
resulted from his knowledge Of the bad plight
of the Russian expedition against the Tekkc
Turcomans; and Lord Salisbury's emphatic Inn
guagc is probably based on the certainty that in
u race for Herat English troops could undoubt-
edly first reach the goal. All information re-
ccived here seems to point to the probability
that the Russian expedition is moving slowly
or has received definite check. The Daily
Ne,cs this afternoon publishes letter
from St. Peterburg, which confirms the
news of the defeat of the Russians Mt
Gcok-Tepe The letter says .--"The advance
column of the expedition, after an Intellectual
assault on Dengil-Tcpc, rctreated on the main
body, which fell back to Bcurma during the
night A despatch from Berlin to the Standard
says..-" The truth about the Gcck-Tepc affair is
gradually leaking out. The assault ON tho