The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-05
rhe situation IN central Asia.


In view Of the aspect Of affairs In Gen.
trail Asia growing out Of the occupation OF
Merry by Russia, II would seem that the
vision Of Lord BEAcoSsrELD had been
prophetic. The cable informs us that
Russia has Satisfactorily explained to
England her forward movement, but 1t
ALSO informs us that the British Govern
ment have instructed the viceroy OF India
to reinforce the garrsons on the north
western frontier, aud that another British
advance has been ordered upon Candahar.
In February, 1870, Lord BEAcoSsFIELD, in
speaking IN the House Of Lords upon the
Afgbanistan expedition, stated that its
objects might he said 10 have been COM
pletely accomplished. and added: owe
now hold three great highways connect
Afghanistan and India, and ! hope we
shall always retain them. We have Sc
cured frontier which ] hope and believe
will render India invulnerabIe, and which
will trench as little as possible ON the IN
dependence OF Aighanistan."
Again, In 1881, when the incoming Cabi-
net OF Mr.. GLADSTONE announced the in
tention OF the Government Of Withdrawing
the troops from Candohar. Lord BEAcoNs-
YIeLp severely criticised the sudden re-
versal OF his policy, and is reported as pro-
testing that IL would impair the imperial
prestige and renown in the Orient, and
that the Government was doing everything
they could TO inform every one In
Central Asia and every other part
OF Asia that "tbcy meant 10 cut
and run from the scene OF splendid con-
mest.n Further, he declared that The
Abandonment OF the military domination
OF the country had produced state OF an
archy, and that the final retirement from
Candahar would give full license to mill
tary adventures ambitious OF empire.
Now what is the situation? The occupa-
ticn OF Merv places Russia within go miles
Of Herat. This filthy little city has long
been regarded by some Of the ablest and
most iar-seeing Of Englishmen-Sir HENRY
RAwLISsoS among the number-as the key
to British India. In the struggle between
Great Britain and Russia for ascendancy in
Central Asia Herat has always been promi-
aent on the strategic cbess.board. II has been
the aim OF both Powers for years to con-
troll il. and in 1856 ii was the cause OF war
between England and Persia, the real OBJ
iect OF which was to ceunteract Russian
influences. The British troops nearest to
Herat are at Quetta, 800 miles distant, and
while Russia has been gradually paving the
way for this new advance, in the nature OF
things ii must be, as DIsRAELI declared
that the imperial prestige in the Orient has
been impaired.
Russia's apologists volunteer the infor-
nation that the annexation Of Merv was a
necessity OF the situation. Whether this
be true or not--and il Is vague eXplana-
ton TO say the least-every one acquainted
with Russia's Asiatic policy must see that
the occupation will be permanent. The
history Of Russia has been the history
Of aggression, the history OF the enlarge
ment OF territorial boundary, and the util-
ization Of every foot Of new territory.
Slowly, steadily, and persistently, she has
occupied one point after another, hold
ing 1t as a position from which to
oyerawe or checkmate some Power
until prepared TO make another advance,
or another "necessity of the situation"
Her latest acquisition is the crossing point
OF two great caravan routes; commands
the commerce OF an extensive region, and
is a link in a new chain OF communication
with Europe, of which roilroad capable
Of easy extension forms part. Moreover,
it affords most desirable basis for Russian
intrigue, which is not the least dependence
OF that Power in securing the submission
OF hostile tribes.
Considering these advantages it Is mani
fest that Merv cannot mark the limit OF
Russian advance unless England makes
bold and decided move. In fact, it would
appear that the fate Of Hcrat is only a
question OF a short time unless England re-
turns to BEAC0NsFIELD's Asiauc policy.
And this policy, we take it, looked con-
siderably beyond the fact that the COM
mand Of Herat by England constituted a
bulwark against Russian ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
in Central Asia alone. Just in pro-
portion as Russia shall be en-
abled 10 menace the Indian frontier,
she will lie enabled to advance towards
the Bosphorus, that goal for which she has
been striving for generations. The cam
paign In the Soudan is for the present alb
sorbing the English public mind and fully
occupying the attention OF English states
men: but, Russia's explanations to The
contrary notwit' standing. it is not I'M
probable that we shall soon hear OF stirring
times In Central Asia, consequent mol
necessarily upon a war between Russi'
and England, but upon English counter
aggression 10 Afghanlstan.
THAT DECISION. decision OF thu
Supreme Court OF the United States no
ticed in our kilograms Of yesterday wa