The New York herald., 1879-01-05
Russia in AExhanista m.

great interest IN its relation to the history OF
the British operations in Afghanistan, espe-
cially as it exhibits the attitude of Russia
toward the Asiatic Prince with whom Eng
land is at war; as we'll as the opinions on the
conduct Of the war of the distinguished
Russian commander who conducted the
march to Khiva. This soldier General
kaufmann) has had peculiar opportunities
to study the character of Eastern princes
and people and the difficulties of the eli
mate and countries of Asia, and his recog-
nized familiarity with the subjects gives
weight TO his views.
In the camp of this distinguished officer
it was to be expected that HERALD corre-
spondent should be made to teel himself en-
tirely at home for that the Generals happy
stroke in the remote wilderness OF the Kizil
Kun is known to the world as one ef the
brilliant episodes of modern military
history is due to the devotion, enterprise
and graphic pen of HERALD correspondent
who has had no superior and few equals in
the annals of journalism. Remembrance Of
| the gallant fellow who became chronicler
of grander Russian victories and who died
in harness naturally smoothed the way of
another HERALD correspondent III his efforts
| TO reach point from which he could recite
| the events of the Afghan war from the other
| sde From England we will of course hear
all that England wants us to know of her
operations and her experiences in Afghan
istan but to people who wish to be
thoroughly informed that sort Of record
might in some circumstances prove alto
gether insufficient. At best strictly Eng
lish story Of England's invasion of hostile
country is open to the reproach that the
lion made to the sculptor in the fable-it is
the mans account of a mans battle with
could between the two get satisfactory
history On that principle a HERALD COR
respondent, who shall tell US from the
Afghan side the points in the story that the
English withhold, will help to make the
history complete.
Russias demeanor toward the Ameer is
forcibly shown by the fact witnessed by our
correspondent-the dismissal Of the Ameer's
emissaries with an unfavorable answer.
On the last day of the old year General
Kaufman declared to these messengers that
the Russian Emperor absolutely refused to
intervene for the protection Of the Ameer.
That he spoke Of this as "painful duty"
seems to imply that the Cars we'll in
formed officers within reach Of the scene
Of hostilities would have greatly pre-
ferred to give the Ameer another an
swer. In that country they are clearly
of opinion that the occasion was, in
view of all the circumstances, Russias OPP
portunity I; and they regret that the Cars
view of the diplomatic elements of the case
forced them to forego an opportunity in
which they saw their chance to greatly em-
barrass the nation that they seem disposed
to regard in the light of their natural ene-
my. 1t appears also that this response was
a painful surprise to the Ameers men, for
the inference that their bad impulses were
excited by it follows from the fact that it
is given as one of the reasons why Euro
pean's lite would not be safe in their
hands. As the Ameer counted on assist
ance, and ventured the war in that expec-
tation, the discovery of Russia's indiffer-
ence to his fate may lead to sudden change
in his opinions.
BY this news it appears that the Ameer is
now at Mazar-i-Sharif, near Balkh, and that
there he will await the return of the ennis
saries from General Kaufmann's camp with
the resro onse of the Russian Emperor to his
appeal for assistance. His son was left at
ofo ,yit fba l;,k fo
which implies that while the Ameer was eager
to obtain the support of the Car against
his powerful neighbor he was alive to the
wisdom of putting an anchor to windward.
For as this statement Of the relations
between the Ameer and his son is made by
General Kaufman, and as he is in constant
and regular communication with the Ameer,
it is safe to assume that the statement rep
resents the Ameers conception. 1t is
altogether different from what came to us
about ten days ago by the English de-
/ spatches on this subject. Those dispatches
represented that the Ameer's son had been
released from prison in consequence of his
fathers fight, and that lie was eager only
to throw himself upon the clemency of the
invader-representatio distinctly contra
dicted by later intelligence, Up to
the present time the Ameers son
has not surrendered to the English,
and if negotiations are on foot they are
kept secret. General Kaufman believed
that the son might make some terms with
the invaders, and that the father would, at
his convenience, disavow the sons acts and
renew the war if he found any opportunity
to take his enemy at disadvantage and
repeat the history of former invasion Of
Cabul Doubtless that would be in the AZ
CHAN style. But the Ameer went to Mazar-
i-Sharif in the hope to make treaty with
Russia, and Russia had encouraged the in