Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-05-14

condition. The English protested, IL is true.
against the subiugation OF khiva, although
Russian troops confined themselves to the right
bank o. the Oxus in their permanent occupa-
tion. Thy protested. also, against the occupa-
ton of Merv In 1894. Some even went so far as
to advise sending money and ammunition to
the Turcompns In order to enable them to OPP
pose the russians. The occupation OF Merv
and the leighboring provinces brought the
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 OF the mountain
passes OF the Hi mahyas, and owing to their own
defeats and bad fortune had become convinced
that it would be di6lult for the Russians 20 at
tack India by the way OF Cabul but Herat once
occupied, the road would be easier, all success
sul invasions Of Islia having come from the
Afghan frontier. TheRussfans, in reply to En-
glands question:. had already proposed COM
Rffes 81 EehSnfstsn. which the English had re-
fused, fearing lest by accepting this they would
tmpledly agree to Russian occupation up TO
the very line. Nter Merry was taken the Rus
SLAMS renewed their proposition, and this time
1t was accepted. The English, however, pro
posed that the bdlndary commission should con-
Afghan. This Russia objected to on the ground
shat, according to their own arrangement with
England, and especially Nv TIM treaty made be-
tween the Ameer OF Afghsnistan and England
after the late war. the Afgisans were put under
English protec ion; that while The English Com
missioner could ask dhe Afghare for advice and
counsel, Just as the Rnsstans could the Turco-
mans, their subjects. the boundary must be
drawn by the two nations alone After some
discussion this was agreed to Sir Peter Lums-
den, an Engliah officer veal known in India,
was appointed the Russian Com missioner, as
sisted by Mr.. Condie Stephen a young diplo-
matlst who had won hlI spurs. first by acquir-
ing thoroughly the English language, then by
his successful management H the Consulate at
Philtppopoiis, and, finally. by his leadership OF
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 tak5n III at
Tihis. 1t was necessary, the Russians thought.
for some agreement to be come to rs to the
region through which the boundary line should
be drawn ami as to the principles which should
govern the delneatton. This IL was better to
arrange at home. and for that purpose Capt.
Lessar, FRI nch engineer officer In the Russian
service, who had explored tho 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 a decision by the
English Government There we're various de-
lays, caused more by the English than by tho
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 no actual rule for very
many years, and which, therefore, did not fall
within the conditions OF the arrangement OF
1872 As protest against this, the Russians
advanced their outposts far beyond where the
drawn Such was. I'm brief the state OF affairs
when the present controversy became sttll more
embittered by the advance OF Gen. Komaroh.
That Russia should wish India for its own
sake seems too absurd TO be worth consldera-
ton, when we remember that the size OF India
is equal to three-quartcrs OF that OF Russia in
Europe, that its population amounts to 259, ,OO0,-
OOO, that it's debt, which would have to be as
sumed by Russia In case Of annexation. IL over
$3.50, ,OOO, ,00l, about one-thrd OF that OF Russia
itself Although its commerce amounts to a
large sum-S2UO, ,000 900 OF Imports, SAT- O0O, 900
OF exports-yet most of this is with ENGLAND
It would probably continue In the same route
Il 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 need of the Indian mar
ket IL is not the possession of India which
the Russians desire. nor do they wish TO make
any actual attack upon English rule In India
They do wish, however, to be in a position TO
threaten India, whether by force Of arms or by
intrizues, In case England should again object
TO any aim of Russian policy In tho west. One
OF those aims must certainly be considered the
opening Of free communica ion from the Black
Sea to the Mediterranean. In this stage of civ
ilizntlon the world at large could sympathize
with the free development OF any nation 30 long
IL intefferes with the rights Of other state,
rather than with the policy OF restriction. The
opening OF the Bosphoros and the DardaneIles
should be merelya question between Russia and
Turkey in which fore Rn powers should have no
actual interest excerpt 70 desire the freedom Of
the seas and Of the straits.
But whether or not the Russians desire the
conquest OF India, OF simply 70 gain position