Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-05-13

condition. The English protested, it is true.
against the subjugation of Khiva, although
Russian troops confined themselves to the right
bank of the Oxus in their permanent occupa-
ton. They protested. also, against the occupa-
ton OF Merv IN 1851 Some even went SO far as
to advise sending money and ammunition to
the Turcomans in order to enable them to OPP
pose the Russians. The occupation Of Merv
and the neighbOring provinces brought the
Russians for the first time close to the Afghan
frontier and to Herat, always considered the
key to India. The English had at last
given up their fears that Russia might adj
vance through kashgar or the mountain
passes of the Himalavas, and owing to their own
defeats and bad fortune had become convinced
that 1t would be difhult for the russians 70 at
tack India by the way OF Cabul but Herat once
occupied, the road would be easier, all success
full invasions of India having come from the
Afghan frontier The Russians, in reply to En-
glands questions, had already proposed a COM
mission for the purpose Of settling the bound
aries of Afghanistan, which the English had re-
fused, fearing lest by accepting TINS they would
implicitly agree to Russian occupation up to
the very line After Merry was taken the Rus
SLAMS renewed their proposition, and this time
it was accepted. The English, however, pro
posed that the boundary commission should con-
sist of one Englishman, one Russian, and one
Afghan This Eussia objected to on the ground
that, according to their own arrangement with
England, and especially by the treaty made be-
tween the Ameer Of Afghanistan and England
after the late war, the Afghans were put under
English protec ion; that while the English Com
missioner could ask the Afghans for advice and
counsel, just as the Russians could the Turco-
drawn by the two nations alone After some
discussion this was agreed to. Sir Peter Lums-
den, an ENGLISH officer well known in India,
was appointed the Russian Commissioner, as
sisted by Mr.. Condie Stephen a young dipo-
matist who had won hi spurs, first by acquir-
ing thoroughly the English language, then by
his successful management of the Consulate at
Philippopo is, and, finally, by his leadership of
several surveying and exploring parties on
the Persian frontier. They were accompanied
by large staff and an escort. The Russians
appointed as their Commissioner Gen. Zelevoi;
but before the time appointed for the meeting
the Russian Commissioner was taken i'll at
Ti.iis. 1t was necessary, the Russians thought.
for some agreement to be come to as to the
region through which the boundary line should
be drawn, an as to the principles which should
govern the delineation. This it was better to
arrange at home, and for that purpose Capt.
Lessar a FIR nch engineer officer in the Russian
service, who had explored the whole region up
TO the very gates Of Herat, and had recently
been attached as diplomatic agent to the
Governor General commanding the trans
caspian region, was sent to London for
the purpose of fastening decision by the
English Government There were various de-
lays, caused more by the English than by the
Russians. and. meanwhile, before the arrival of
Lessar at London, or even the departure of Sir
melted by the English in India, had advanced
and taken the small town of Penjdeh, over
which they had had actual rule for very
many years, and which, therefore, did not fall
within the conditions of the arrangement of
1872. AS a protest against this, the Russians
advanced their outposts far beyond where the
drawn. Such was, in brief. the state of affairs
when the present controversy became still more
embittered by the advance of Gen. Komarof.
That Russia should wish India for its own
sake seems too absurd to be worth considera-
ton when we remem Der that the size OF India
is eQual to three-quarters OF that of Russia in
Europe, that its population amounts to 253,000,-
900, that its debt, which would have to be as
sumed by Russia in case Of annex alton, is over
$860,U00,90 about one-third OF that OF Russia
itself. Although its commerce amounts to a
large sum-S250, 600 900 Of imports S417, 900, 900
of eyports-yet as most of this is with England
1t would probably continue in the same route;
1t could not at once be changed and 90 into the
hands of Russia by the annihilation OF British
power in India, nor, indeed, could Russian
factories supply the nee of the Indian
ket. II Is not the pos eSsion of India which
the Russ ans desire, nor do they wish to m ke
They do wish, howeyer, to be in a position to
threaten India, whether by force of arms or by
intr1 Il 6, In case england should again object
to anv aim of Russian policy in the west One
OF tho-e Inns must certainly be considered the
opening OF ire communlca ion from the Black
Sea TO the Mediterranean In this stage of civ
fization the world at large could sympathize
with the free development Of any nation so long
as it nterferes with the rights of no other state
rather than with the policy of restriction The
opening Of the BosphOros and the Dardanellas
should be merely question between Ru ssia and
Turkey in which fore On powers should have no
actual interest except to desire the freedom of
the seas and Of the straits
But whether or not the Russians desire the
conquest of India, or simply to gain position
from which to annoy the English, it is the obvl-
Gus duty of the Bri rish Government to decide
upon a frontier which the Russians can not be