The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-05-09
The QUARREL Between England and
Russia.

Russia.
AS war between England and Rus
STA appears to be inevitable, the gen.
eral reader will be interested in
clear and concise statement of the
trouble which has led these giant
powers TO measure strength with each
other. England, as everyone knows,
has an immense empire in India.
Russia has of late years been pushing
her conquests in the direction of In
dia, aud about two years ago, when
the Russians seized the oasis of Merv,
and got control Of the great Tur"o-
man desert, they came right up
against what has always been regard
ed as one of the bulWarks of India
Afghanistan. Then England became
alarmed.
Look at a map Of Asia and you
will see that all along the northern
edge of India, like wall of defense,
runs the gigantic chain of the Hima-
layas, the greatest mountains in the
world. At the northwestern corner
of India this range of mountains
splits up, and, turning toward the
southeast, spreads out into a number
of diYerging ranges which cover At
ghanistan, the backbone of the sys-
tenn being the colossal HindOO KOOsh
mountains. This rugged country of
Afghanistan. therefore, forms a sort
of natural breastWork for India to-
ward the northwest, the direction
from which an invasion by Russia
would come, and so England has for
years kept a sharp oversight of things
in Afghanistan. In the northwest
ern corner of Afghanistan .rlljNeq lies tbbifl
account of its commanding position,
has long been known as the key to
India. Right over against Herat, on
the north and only some 200 miles
away, is the new post of the Russians
at Merry.
After the Russians had got control
OF the country thus bordering on AT.
ghanistan the question Immediately
came up as to where the exact bOun-
diaries Of the latter country were.
England was so anxious to keep the
Russians from advancing further,
and so fearful that their next step
would carry them to Herat, that she
lost no time in demanding that these
boundaries be definitely settled, and
a joint commission of Russians and
EngIishmen was appointed to deal
with the question on the spot. This
commission has been on TIL ground
during the past year, hut has not
reached an agreement. The Russians
it appears, claim a piece of territory
between the rivers Murghab and
Herr Rud, issuing from the Afghan
mountains, the control of which, it is
alleged, would give them command
of the road to Herat. The town of
Penjdeh, which, it is said, the Rus.
slams have just captured, lies upon
ms road, and, according to English
claims, within the edge of the Afghan
territory.
The recent negotiations between
England and Russia relate to the |
question as to where the line should |
be run, and what should he regarded |
as debatable ground for the purpose
Two or three weeks ago the two gov
prnments agreed not to make any
further advance on either side, pend.
ing the negotiatiOns-that is, Russia
promised not to push her troops
further into the debatable ground.
England undertook to restrain ner
friends. the Afghans. The recent
battle between the Russians and AZ
ghans, however, shows one side or
he other has failed to keep back.
AS England believes that the safe
y of her Indian empire depends up.
IN the keeping Of the Russians out
If Aighanistan, the world looks on
q see her aid the Afghans against
Russia with al! the power and pres
ige Of her arms.
--------a-
Disgruntled Southern SpoiISm6n.