Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1885-04-18
ENGLAND's QUARREL WITH
RUSSIA.

A correspondent of the New York Sun
asks the question: What are England
and Russia going to fight about, any,
way?" The Sun answers:
England, as everybody knows, has an
immense empire in India. Russia has of
late years been pushing her conquests in
the direction of India, and about two
years ago, when the Russians seized on
the oasis of Merv, and got control of the
great Turcoman desert, they came right
up against what has always been regarded
as one Of the bulwarks of India-Afghan-
istan. Then England became alarmed.
Look at the map of Asia and you will
see that all along the northern edge of
India, like a wall Of defense, runs the
gigantic chain of the Himalayas, 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 diverging ranges which cover
Afghanistan, the backbone of the system
being the colossal Hindoo Koosh Mount
aims. This rugged country of Afghan
istan, therefore, forms a sort of natural
breastwork for India toward the north
west, the direction from which an inva-
sion by Russia would come, and SO Eng
land has for years kept a sharp oversight
of things in Afghanistan. In the north
western corner of Afghanistan lies the
fortified town of Herat, which on 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 Merv.
After the Russians had got control OF
the country thus bordering on Afghanis-
tan the question Immediately came up as
to where the exact boundaries of the
latter country were. England was SO
anxious to keep the Russians from adj
vancing further, and so fearful that their
next step world carry them to Herat,
that she lost no time in demanding that
these boundaries be definitely settled,
and a joint commission of Russians and
Englishmen was appointed to deal with
the question. This commission has been
on the ground during the past year, but
has not reached an agreement. The
Russians, it appears, claim a piece OF ter
ritory 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 Penj-
deh, which, it is said, the Russians have
just captured, lies upon this road, and,
according to English claims, within the
edge of the Afghan territory.
The recent negotiations between Eng
land and India relate to the question as
to where the line should be run, and
what should be regarded as debatable
ground for the purpose. Two or three
weeks ago the two Governments agreed
not to make any further advance on
either side pending the negotiations-that
is. Russia promised not to push her
troops further into the debatable ground,
and England undertook to restrain her
friends. the Afghans. The recent battle
between the Russians and Afghans, how.
ever, shows that one side or the other
has failed to keep back.
As England believes that the safety OF
her Indian Empire depends upon the
keeping of the Russians out of Afghan.
istan, the world looks on to see her
aid the Afghans against Russia with all
the power and prestige of her arms.