The Wilmingtonian., 1885-08-01
THE PERSIAN GULF.

In the busy intricaces of building up and
solidifyipg her empire Russia sees present.
ed before her the paramount necessity of a
port upon the Persian Gulf Russia must
have direct trade road from Turkestan to
the Indian Ocean. "a
This outlet is geographical demand as
well as political one. Hitherto her at
tempts to gain this end by overtures to tbe
Afghans, followed on the refusal of that
people by annexation of part of Afghanis-
tan, has raised such hornets nest Of op-
position that Russian diplomacy sees fairer
possibility of success by a more Western
outlet, in other words through Persian ter
ritory.
The difficulties in the way of annexation
of even the whole Of Persia as dependency,
are in the deed itself Of no account. All
Russia need do is to announce the intention
to Europe, 1t is not probable that either
Germany or France wogld make serious or.
lection. England would prefer that status
of political delimitaton to the establish
ment of any Russian territory directly COR
tiguous to India. The Afghans would be
an insecure dependency for Russia.
No Russian administration would will
ingly underrate the handling of such trouble
some tribes whose allegiance could not be
. | dnppplad mn uns
ance, much less would any intelligent Eu-
ropean administration uuderrate the INTERIM
inble job of the transformation of those in
tiactable robber tribes into civilized CON-
mnnity, nor could any degree of trust be
placed in them save that of self Inter
est.
In their independent state the Afghans
would be as approachable and much more
easily handled. The subjugation of race
hereditariy free, owing allegiance to moth
ing but the we'll understood necessity of
mutual opposition to the invader, the Gar
would discover the meditated annexation of
this country an interminable and extremely
expensive undertaking. A large army OF
occupation would be daily ard momenta-
ry necessity, an expense which the Russian
military treasury is not ready to contemp,
late just now.
A plethora from over-aunexation is what
the Czar is discovering to be his ailment at
the present moment, Russia has not yet
had tilae to assimiIate TurlSestan before the
necessity Of gobbling her southwestern
neghbor, Persia, presents itself, Were the
latter attempted previous to the establish
meut Of Russian authority among the nc
madic trfUes or the Western pIateans os
Asia, the difficulty might present itself
along the rear line Of Russian advance, of
an enemy ready to cut her communications,
, only too glad of the opportunity for plunder
of either friend or foe, which is the peculiar
attribute of these wild tribes.
The same difficulty would undoubtedly re-
veal itself in Pera did Russian arms threat
en- the annexation of that country. The
partial subjugation of any territory would
constitute itself an element of the most sig
niicant peril as soon as the conquerors
back we're turned.
Turkestan will need the attention of 100,-
900 Russian troops as soon as the Czar gives
the order to his army to advance into Af-
ghanstan or Persia. Amy ill success of his
armies in either of those countries would
create trouble in the country that had been
lett behind.
An advance into Persia and its occupa-
tion by Russia would be tempting oppor-
tunity for the Turkestans to strike for inde-
pendence, an alliance with Afghan tribes
would be sought and Russia's position
has not been assimilated at all, yet as a
Russian province, the natives detest subju-
cation, their disaffection will be abetted by
: their neghbors, Persia and Afghanistan.
A propaganda for the diffusion of anti-Rus-
sian policy exists in all these countries, a
strong part of whose teachings is that uni
ted effort of Afghanistan, Persia, Belochis-
tan and Turkestan against Russian domi-
nation, will find assistance not alone from
$ England and India but from Turkey.
a Thus Russia's real enemies are those of
her own household. Before she moves for
ward on the march Of annexation, it will be
necessary to solidify her already annexed
provinces, to Russianize them more thor
oughly--an undertaking which will take
. many years yet to come.
! YOur Boys Companions.