The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1885-05-20
Russia's Reasons

One of the most trusted counsellors Of th,
Russian imperial family, in conversation will
correspondent of the London TeieDaDh
said that numerous petitions entreating Russif
TO undertake the government of Herat baC
been received from the notabiities of the
place, adding cynically, says the correspond.
| ent, that ] might take these petitions fol
what they were worth.
l suggested 10 him that the Russian advance
| in Central Asia was due to the two following
reasons: First, the enormous distance separat-
ing the Central Asian officials from the seat
of Government at st. Petersburg, which, leav-
ing them more or less to their own devices,
induces them to extend the Russian frontiers
and influence in the hopes of obtaining thereby
personal distinction and rescue from the OBJ
ltEion 10 which their far-distance post would
otherwise consign them. Second, the exis-
tence of desire on the part of Russia to be
within easy reach Of the Indian border, SO as
to be able to put convenient pressure on us
in the case Of any European conflict. While
candidly admitting the first reason, my in
formant demurred somewhat to the second.
He stated that Russia would never dream
of aspiring 10 possess India, having neither
men nor money sufficient to hold it if con-
quered, Dor do Russians consider the acquisi-
tion of the country of sufficient importance.
But" said he, "when Russia is within reach
of the Indian frontier, if there is rising of
the natives, as there inevitably will be soon
then we shall be called upon by the rajahs and
chiefs for assistance. In that case | should
urge the Government to acquiesce, not with
any idea Of conquest flor we should only aim
at restoring the authority Of the native rulers
but with the view of loosening Engldld's hold
on India, and thereby weakening her. In our
eyes England owes the greater part of her
strength and importance to her Eastern DOS
sessions. England once thoroughly weaken
ed, we should have free hand in Turkey.
When l talk Of Turkey, do not for one moment
think that we want Consantinople on any re-
ligious, historical or similar sentimental
grounds. Our sole object is to obtain the
absolute mastery Of the entry to the Black
Sea. We're it possible TO hold the straits in
dependentlY Of Constantinople, we should not
care one bit about the possession of the city
itself, and any one would be welcome to have
it. But, as it is impossible to hold the
Dardanelles without the Bosphorus and its
forts on either side of the straits, we intend
to do our very best to get hold of them. We
must have a complete and absolute mastery
Of the Black Sea and of the entry thereof.
All our political action is in that direction.
and as our griRcteuse dh'gleteire constitutes
the principal obstacle thereto, we must COM
mence by weakening her in every manner pos
sible. This is the secret of our working
against English interests in Egypt, Abyssinia,
Central Asia and elsewhere"
He concluded by advising me not 10 at tacb
too much importance to the present under
standing between Russia and Germany, which
cannot last long, owing TO the deep, under
lying hatred of race and conflict of interests.
when Russia is once in possession of
Herat, you will, of course, hear of petitions
similar 10 those presented by the inhabitants
OF that city, being addressed to the Gar by
the natives Of India. For the past six months
there have been Russian agents at Herat
preparing the way for the advent of
their countymen.
1--WE shall soon have, and, in fact, probably
have already, similar agents working sub rosa
in India, and pointing out to the native chiefs
aud rajahs the immense advantages of Russian
The NcUe Frcie PreSse seems TO think
hat peaceful settlement of the Afghan cues
ion is probable, because both Russia and
England will make concessions. 1t adds:
Russia may tue more easily yield some |
hing, as ;he St Petersburg Cabinet seems |
esolved upon seeking the way to the ocean
10 longer through India but over Persia. The |
English Government seems to be aware of |
his and proposes to hinder such action by
ending a military mission with considerable
means TO Teheran by way Of secur-
ne Persia's friendship for England. Itis
loped that by these means the intrigues of the
ormer Russian Minister at Teheran, NJ.
,inov;ef, now Director of the Asiatic Depart
nent, will be frustrated, and that the Shah.
VhO exercises great influence over some Asian
'rinces, and especially over the Ameer of
andahar, may be won over Certainly. the
me appears to have come for England to pay
ome attention to the important diplomatic
ost OF Teheran. Germany has long under
God the value of this post and has establish
l legation