The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-04
RUSSIA.S DILEMMA.
Solid Reforms at Home or Brilliant
Adventures Abroad?
GENERALS IN COUNCIL.
Proposal to Form Another Neu-
trail Zone in Asia.
ST.. PETERSBURG, Oct. II. 1


The Gear Is returning to the capital in few days.
Soon after his arrival there will be end put to the
contradictory statements current in the capital
during the summer. People wistrully looking
for tho time when the Emperor shall again take the
rcins Of power in his hands and finally decide.
what is to DO done about the affairs which arc so un-
necessarily exciting the people and which prevent
the transaction of any serious business. But not
wthsandng the general relief ut the prospect oil tho
ternr alton OF the present state OF uncertainty
great Of doubt suspicion is felt among the
public Of the political state OF things
caused b. the late events in Cabul. Everybody is
fearing now that the Introduction of the contem-
plated changes in the administration of the Empire
will be post ored indefinitely thanks to the neces
sity Of wardirg of most pressing danger and pro-
viding the means for struggle with the old enemy
of Russa in all her foreign politics. The first feel
ing here was of course that OF profound horror
and disgust at the savagery of the Asiatics Every
sense of political enmity to the English faded away
for ne time, and a sincere hope expressed that
til, .nglish would be able to ayenge the treach
cry Of the Cabullese. But time went on q natural
return the consideration of national interests
observed. and people began to ask themselves
what would the consequences be for Russia of
the state of things which likely to
be introduced in the affairs of Central Asia.
The heart of every Russian is beating faster at the
recollection Of the many evils inflicted Russia by
the policy OF England. None Of the Russians is
able yet to forget that wherever Russia has tried
to attain her ends England has always been ready
to put obstacle in her way aud usually succeeded
in frustrating Russias designs. using her
privilege of making strong naval demonstrations
.ainst Russia. while the latter Power had no means
OF reaching England with her army. Therefore
Russia has had to yield always and everywhere.
But now England seems to be losing her privilege of
being inaccessible; the two Powers the point
Of standing face to face with each other in Central
Asia. the great field Of their eternal contest.
POPULAR DEMAND FOR REFORM.
1t was quite natural. therefore. that on the first
impulse the Russians should wish to meet England
solid ground at last. But whether they have the
means just to profit by the advantage which
to be afforded them is another question, and
one which is anxiousy asked by the Russian pub
lie. which is systematically kept in the dark as to
the available forces and Of their country.
The people, besides, are longing to see reforms in
troduced in the administration of the country and
are well aware that such trying task will require
the whole OF the united strength Of the country and
entire peace in foreign relations. 1t is obvious
therefore, that the Central Asian complications
could not have come ut more untimely season than
the present for Russia But the Russians
well aware that it they let tho pres
mt occasion slip they will have to wait
long time before another such opportunity may be
offered them and at the same time they quite under.
stand that they have to choose between the intro
duction of reforms at home and the excitement Of
military adventure in Asa that they cannot have
reforms and so to war at one and the same time.
Happily for them the Russian people need
not US yet take upon themselves the responsibility
OF any decision In such matters since their govern
ment is bound to do it for them. What form that
decision may take with the subsequent development
OF events in Asia, as well us iii Europe, cannot, of
course. be foretold YETI but is intimated from
the best sources that the matter thoroughly
considered at the late conference Lvada that
the result of the decisions taken there is to depend
wholly upon the policy adopted by the English
government in their dealings with Atghanistan.
Tho aforementioned council. summoned by
command of the Gar, ut Livadia. consisted Of
Prince Lobnnof Rostorsay. Mr.. Piers. General Todle
ben Prince Dondukon Korsakof, General Kaufman,
the Governor General OF Turkestan; Prince Loris
Mekof and Milutin, the Russian Minister of War;
Although the ostensDe pretext of the Conference
the discussion OF the affairs of the Balkan PENN
sula. and Prince Lebanon was even subsequently
stated by the foreign press to have brought
ntinopie fresh draft of defensive and Often
sive alliance OF Russia with Turkey, yet it DO
now positively affirmed that such was not the actual
ISSUE LobanoH went over to LIvadia in order to
quaint the Car with the prospects which might
be opened to Russia in Turkey should old NAH
moud Nedim Paeha get into power again. and to ask
Tor future instructions since the Gar is at present
personally directing the foreign policy of the EN-
pre.
What the substance of the statements made by
that diplomat was. and of what nature the
instructions he received at Livadia. 1 am not in
position to state, the matter confden tialy
discussed by Lebanon and Piers the presence Of
the Emperor Alone 1t may only be positively as
serted that no kind OF an alliance is contemplated
yet between Russia and Turkey. After that the gen
eral debates military matters took place. and
those attended by all the above mentioned
members convoked by the Emperor. The Minister
Of War, Moutne. proposed. among other things.
that the strength of the Russian army in time of
peace should be reinforced by $4,000 and in
time OF war by 100000. This proposal strongly
seconded by Todeben and Dondukoff KorsakoG. so
that the Car had again to yield to the military
party the conservatives being positively on the
decline in his immediate surroundings. The
question which chiefly occupied the atten-
ton OF this council OF military authorities
fha IN In a1n ntnl hx fhn Itnq.f
eminent In view of the progress of the English
In Central Asia. and the means TO be used to put
part of tho army in n position to be at any given
moment ready for military operations. The debate
upon the question of interference in Central Asian
affairs seems to have been very animated. and-as is
easily comprehcnded from the list of names given
Above-scveral bold schemes were discussed, all of
usual strongly aversc to bIoodshod whenever it can
be avoided. But final conclusion was, neverthe-
less. arrived at, which is to let the English have
their way in Afshanistan as long as they carry
out the Treaty of Gundamak without. other
wise mixing themselves up in tho Interior
out that the British corps of occupation
is unable to maintain Yakoob Khan on the Afghan
throne, and tho English are therefore compelled
Interfere in the internal contest which is likely to
break out between the feeble ruler OF Afghanistan
and his northern vassals and to permanently occupy
the country or to put on the Afghan throne crea-
ture OF their own then Russia will feel herself I'm
PEELED to take an active course in order TO secure her
own interests and she would do this by creating
new neutral zone between tho British domnions in
Central Asia and her own. AS to the means to be
ferent plans we're considered. but one ot them
dismissed a too heavy Drain upon the Russian
chequer, while tho other eEtaiied the following
rEnauKAssoFrs EXPEDITION.
The present Russian Akka Tckk e expedition, under
General Ter kasson is to- continue its tho
direction of Mcrv which place. when reached, is tn be
will DO abic 20 advance tina wear ia not ccr,ain and
II is even possible that 1t may have to rctraco IFS
steps and spend the winter on the shores OF the Gas,
travorsed during the trying season which generally