The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-04-29
HERAT.
The Chestnut which the Russian
Bear and British Lion are
Reaching For.


The city of Herat possesses peculiar
interest at present as being the goal to-
ward which all the advances of Russia In
Central Asia are tending-the prize which
the paw of the Russian bear is out
stretched to grasp. But why this desire,
this eager striving, for the possession
of city neither wealthy nor com
merclally importantf The reason is that
Herat is the key to Afghanistan, and the
"Gate Of India" 1t must not, however,
be supposed that 1t anything of fortune.
Although looked upon by the Afghans as
the bulwnrk of Afghanistan against their
heretical neighbors the Persians, it could
offer little resistance to modern artillery.
Its ramparts which have time and again
hurled back the tide OF Persian invasion
and preserved inviolate the heritage Of
Mahmoud of Ghuzin, were, with the eX-
ception Of the citadel, only earthworks,
which have ecrumbled into decay, and it de-
rives its Importance not from any sup
posed impregnability, but from the posi-
tion which It occupies
Living in that fertile valley Of the Heri,
which has been called the "Granary OF
Central Asia. at commands the mouth Of
the only pass by which fully equipped
army can cross the mighty ranges of the
Hindu Kush, while the surrounding dis
trict fertile and healthy, and inhabited by
a hardy and docile race, cannot be sur
passed rs base Of operations. In its
present almost defenseless condition Herat
could be easily seized by 8 small force, ad-
vancing from Merv, and would then act
as n tetC-dc-pOnt, covering the passage OF u
Russian army across the Hindu-Kush.
Besides commanding the passage through
the mountains, Herat Is strateglcally inn
portant for another reason. There are
Two great roads running through Afghan
istan which form the only lines of opera
ton against India for y full equipped
army. The first of these leads through
Cabul. Jelalabad, and the Khyber Pass to
Peshawur in the Punjaub, the other by
Caudahar, Quettah, and the Bolan Pass to
Shikarpur on the lower Indus. These are
the only routes by which n force with
guns could move on India, and they meet
at Herat.
By seizing Hernt Russia would gain the
following advantages; As safe passage
across the mountains into Afghanistan, an
abundant supply OF all things necessary
for an army, and the choice OF two lines OF
advance whenever she chose TO attack In
dia. The possession of India would also
insure TO her the active support of all AT
ghanistan. All Asiatics, the Afghans in
cluded. are already contrasting the vigor-
Gus policy pursued by the Russians in
Central Asia with the supineness and su.
icidal indifference displayed by the British
Government.
From this comparison they infer that
while Russia is strong enough to over
come any resistance that can be Offered,
England feels too weak to oppose her, and
the wild Afghan mountaineers long for
the time to drive. when they may obtain
an opportunity, of sweeping down on the
rich cities and fertile plains Of Hindostan.
On the other hand, British force in Herat
would prevent n Russian army from pass
ing the mountains, and would insure the
support OF Persia, who has hitherto, from
fear of Russia, been decidedly hostile TO
England,
Then again, Herat would be fine base
of operations against Merv II IL should be
deemed advisable to operate to the north
of the mountains, while the occupation of
the district would go far TO restore British
prestige in Asia.
The fertile valley which forms the Hera
tee territory is checker-work OF corn
fields, vineyards, and gardens, dotted here
and there with little fortified villages, and
watered by number Of small rivulets
which empty into the Herr. In the midst
of these, Ike a gem In its setting, lies the
city itself, presenting at n distance very
picturesque appearance, while few miles
TO the west stands Ghorian (a rock fortress
belonging 10 Herat), formerly q place OF
some Importance and still the chief fstrong'
hOldof Western Afghanistan.
But charming as its surroundings arc
the city itself has few claims 10 our adj
miration. IL Is nearly square, the length
of each side being about q mile, and Is
surrounded by mud walls and wide
ditch. IL has the narrow, gloomy streets
common 10 all Eastern towns, and Is one
of the dirtiest cities In the world. The
two bazars, which cross each other at right
angles and divide the town into fOuI
quarters, were formerly very fine, but are
now In q ruinous condition like everything
else.
Mosques and caravansaries, public baths
and mud novels are iumbled together as
II they had been mixed up In u sack and
poured out.
The number OF inhabitants varies con
siderably, but Is in the neighborhood o
10000. The majority Of them belong Il
the Sheeah sect, but there are "a large
number Of Afghans OF the SUM sect, with
a sprinkling Of Hindoos, Armenians, anc
Jews
Herat contains no buildings worthy o.
mention, and, in fact, owes its importance
TO its position at the junction OF the grea
roads and at the mouth OF the pass.
H. W. Church IN Chicago Herald