The New York herald., 1879-12-16

ENGLAND DISCOVERS FRESH EVIDENCES OF IN
rRIGuE-sHER ALI AND THE MISSION TO
cABUL-DANGERs OF POLITICAL LETTER
WHITING.
GeY CABLE TO THE HERALD.1
LONDON, Dec. Is, 1879.
The Pioneer the official newspaper of North
western India, asserts that an immense mass of
correspondence has been found and laid before
the government including instructions from the
Russian government to its agents in Central
Asia, marking out the course they were to fol-
low with the ex-Ameer Shere Ali These papers
are said to show that Russian intrigue against
Afghanistan were active as far back as 1873,
and to afford conclusive proof Of the falsity Of
the excuse given for the Russian mission to
Cabul last year.
VAGUE FEARS OF THE MERv EXPEDITION
ALREADY TAKING sHAPE-KAuFMANNs VIEWS
ON HERAT-A RUSSIAN PARTITION OF Az
aHANIsrAN.
The Berlin correspondent OF the London Daily
Telegraph sends the following despatch According
to information have received to-day. the exped-
ton now in course Of preparation on the Caspian
will assume such proportions toward the
ing spring that it Is beyond doubt Russia
has . moro considerable task IN view than
the capture Of Merv In Russian military
circles Herat ia already mentioned in connection
with General Ksufmann's pending plans. and from
Trustworthy accounts now to hand it Is perfectly
clear that than the attention Of our gov.
ernment should he turned in that direction. ]
happen to known that prior to his departure for
LONDON Count Schouvalof made several fruitless
attempts to enter upon polvparers with Lord Sails
bury on the subject OF Central Asia. Lord
Salisbury invariably answered that Her Majesty's
government had taken decision yet. and until the
settlement of Afghan affairs they not likely to
do SO. All that Count schouvsloff could ascertain
from the English Secretary Of State was that at
present the relstions Of Afghanistan with
foreign Powers would be conducted by Eng
land. and that the arrangement might be
regarded as permanent This was tantamount
to = refusal on the part Of England to come
to any agreements with Russia on Central Asian
affairs. and that is the Russia is now concen-
trating her energy and the reorganiza-
ton OF the Merv expedition. What is Russia's plan
for the soi-d,sant settlement OF the Central Asian
question? This is what Count Schouvslof was in
structed to propose to own government
had his first overtures been moro success
fuL Russia simply suggests the partition of
Arghanistan-the southeastern part. with Can
dahar and Cabul. to be annexed to
India. and the whole of the northwestern part
to go to Russia. SO that the Hindoo Koosh Noun
tains would form the natural frontier between
British and Russian territory In the Russian plan
Herat would be incorporated with Persia. and by
claiming that weighty position for the Shah
Russia hoped. ne doubt. to secure the good will
OF that potentate IN view Of future undertakings.
1t is probable that the Czar himself will talk
over these matters with Lord Dufferin, but Count
schouvaloffs late experience conclusive
that very little hope bc entertained ct ST. Peters
burg of obtaining more sstisfastory result through
Lord Dufferin. There 10 also ground for stating
that the idea OF patronizing the claims OF Abdul
Rahamsn Khan to the Afghan throne has been
under consideration ut st. Petersburg. General
Lomakin seems to be chiefly responsible for the
disaster that overlook the nrst expedition Merv.
On assuming the provisional command. after the
death OF General Laxaren. he saw the opportunity
of securing for himself rank aud distinction by one
of those dashing cops successfully effected
eral occasions by the Russian commanding officers
in Central ASIA Then 1t appears that the Persian
contractors who undertook to supply the Russians
with provisions did not get paid. and they cut
short their supplies. Money destined for the pur-
pose was usual. pocketei by the Russian off,
cials. The expedition cost the government from
100000 to 100000 roubes.