The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1885-04-16
TILE WAR

From the present condition of affairs
in Europe as indicated by the cable
grams sent to the United States, 1t seems
that what will prove long and bloody
struggle has been inaugurated. All the
efforts of England and Russia in the di-
rection Of peace have up to the present
failed, and the battle reported on the
frontier of Afghanistan was a vic
tory for the beligGerent forces over
bring about settlement without blood.
shed.
The fact that this battle is the begin
ming OF long war makes 1t particularly |
interesting, and if these two great pow
ers do not in some way bring about an
amicable settlement, blood will flow in
Europe in reder and deeper streams than
in the time o. Napoleon, and territorial
lines that now form the boundaries be-
tween countries Will be blotted out OF
existence.
Afghanistan at present has a popula-
ton of about 100000 hardy and
strongly built people. 1t has an area of
about $4,000 square miles. which lies
south of the Hindo Koosh mountains
and between the sIxtieth and SEVENTEEN
meridians. 1t was formerly an indie
pendent power, but was invaded by
the British between 1888 and 1S49,
since which time It mas been under the
influence of the British government
in India. In the year 1869
England and Russia were on
the verge of war when the latter power
threatened TO invade Bokara, a province
Just north of Aighanistan. Since thai
time even the American pupil as he has
studied the geography of the interior o
Asia has been taught that there is stu
ated country on which British aggres-
d sions from the south and Russian inva
Il sion from the north, would sooner o
: later meet and end in bloody conflic
l. for supremacy.
IS Afghaniston is divided into three di
visions, and their capitals are Herat witt
10000 inhabitants, Cubal or Cabool
q with 10000, and Candahar with GO, OOC
Ie These cities are Afghan's stronghold
d and are defended at present by Afgha
st soldi, rs under British officers.
N Russia, although pacific in her words
1t has been very warlike in her operations
and the fertilization of Herat by tn
m Ameer's soldiers under English com
9 manders, Is considered by the Russia
al government as sufficient cause for wa
Il The fighting even in Afghanistan may
"a in short time, assume a promineuc
70 that has been unexpected. The EnglIs
and Afghan forces at present are abou
$1,000 strong, while the Russian arm
e in the neighborhood of the fighting di
rs trict numbers about $4,000 men, and &C
I'd ditional troops will no doubt soon b
Or hurried TO the front by both sides.
he The fighting at sea promises to b
l. even more interesting than on the lanC
The English navy, so long known as til
mistress of the seas, meets formidabl
- enemy In the Russian mau of-war. Tn
trading merchants have already antici
y peted this struggle on the sea and hav
- y ordered that no more goods be consigne
y there by vessels sailing across tn
Baltic.
The peace negotiations that were s
!, promising only few days ago have van
ished aud the world is all attention t.
the maneuvers of two great contestInI
powers.
The result OF the war, If it assume tn
i proportions now threatened, will be 4
draw other powers into the conflict, TIT
final humbling and silencing for many
years Of one of the great powers engaged
new map OF interior Asia, and the in
> creased prosperity of the United States