Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1885-05-13

COnQlClOn. Inc EnQusn protested, IL IS true.
against the subjugatton 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-
TO advise sending money and ammunition to
the Turcomans In order to enable them to OPP
pose the Russians. The occupation OF Merv
Russians for the first time close to the Afghan
frontier and to Herat, always considered the
key to India The English had At last
vance through Xsshear or the mountain
passes of the Himalayas, and owing to their own
defeats and bad fortune had become convinced
+ %Eud 9s f9s the 20 as
occupied, the road would be easier, all success
ful invasions of India having come from the
Afghan frontier. The:Russians, in reply to En-
mission for the purpose Of settling the bound
aries Of Afghanistan, which the English had re-
fused. fearing lest by accepting this they would
the very hne. 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-
gtet Of one Engltshman, one Russian, and ono
Afghan. This Russia objected to on the ground
that, according to their own arrangement with
England. and especially by the treaty made be,
after the late war, the Afghans were put under
English protec ion: that while the English Com.
missioner could ask the AfRhans for advice and
mans, their subjects, the boundary must be
drawn by the two nations alone. After some
discussion this was agreed to. Sir Peter Lums-
Va appointed the Russian Commissioner. as
sisted by Mr.. Condie Stephen young diplo-
matist who had won his spurs, first by acquir-
Ing thoroughly the English language, then by
his successful management OF the Consulate at
PhilfppOpotis, and, finally. by his leadership OF
several surveying and exploring parties on
the Persian frontier. They were accompanied
appointed a their Commissioner Gen. Zelevoi: {:
but before the time appointed for the meeting
the Russian Commissioner was taken Ill at
Titis 1t was necessary, the Kussians thought:
region through which the boundary line should
be drawn, and a. to the principles which should
govern the delineatton;; This it was better to
Lessar, French engineer officer in the Russian
service, who had explored the whole region up
to the very gates Of Herat. and had recently
Governor General commanding the trans
caspian region, was sent to London for
the purpose Of Fastening decision by the
lays, caused more by the English than by the
Russians. and. meanwhile, before the arrival Of
Lessar st London, or even the departure of Sir
Peter Lumsden for the frontier, the AfRhans,
inctted by the English in India, bad advanced
aud taken the small town Of Penjdeh. over
which they had had NO actual rule for very
many years, and which, therefore, did not fall
ism Az > protest AGAINST this, the Russians
advsnced their outposts far beyond where the
English thought the frontier lire should be
drawn Such was, In brief. the state Of affairs
when the present controversy became still more
embtttered by the advance Of Gen. Komarof.
That Russia should wish India for It's own
sake seems too absurd to be worth considers
tom, when We remember that the size OF India
n eqnAl to three-quarters OF that Of Russia in
Europe. that its population amounts to 253, ,OO0,
ooO. that its debt, which would have to be as
sumed by Russia in case OF annexation. ts over
1s6o. .0o0, 900, about one-third of that OF Russia
itself Although its commerce amounts to a
large sum-$260. COO 900 Of imports. al, 600 .o0t
Of exports-yet - most OF this ts with England
Il could not It once be changed and 70 into the
hands Of Russia by the annihilation Of British
power IN India, nor. indeed. could Russian
tactoEies supply the need Of the Indian mar
kek Il II not the possession Of India which
the Russians desire. nor do they wish TO make
say actual attack upon English rule In India
They do wish, however, to be in . position "a
intxi9uea, in case England should again objec,
70 any aim Of Russian policy tn the west. One
Of those aims must certainly be considered thu
OPENING Of tree communication from the Biaci
ses to the Mediterranean In this stage Of CIV
1fxatjon the world at large could sympathize
with the free development Of anv nation 50 Ions
- e fntezferes with the rights Of no other state
opening Of tho Bosphoros and the Dardanelles
should be merely question between Russia anG
Turkey. In which foreign powers should have NJ
actu2l interest except TO desire the freedom d
the Deas and of the straits.
But whether or not the Russians desire the
conquest Of India, OK simply 70 gain . position
from which to annoy tho English, It 10 the oby1
ous duty Of the British Government to decide
allowed TO 0yerStep. Much a. they might pro
test and questaon. It is obviously Impossible fol
the English 70 insist upon frontier line drawn
through the stepps. which they have NO posi-.
hfIffy 0f defeUdfu1 and fs tE for their interest