The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-04
HERAT, THE GATE OF INDIA.
Full Account of the Causes Of the Quar-
rel Between Russia and England.
RnsSia's Advance Toward India-Herat as O
Strategic POint--The Value of the Sur
rounding Country to the English.


England has lately given rise to much concern
for the advances made by Russia in the center OF
Asia, and as the English have for years lived In
state OF chronic panic concerning their indian
possessions and have always received gladly any
publication that shed light on the subject, the
little pamphlet Of Mr.. Marvin was at once ac-
ceptable and full Of interest to every ene The
writer is no novice in Asian matters, but is
known as perhaps the best living authority on
the subject of which he writes, having, it is
said, passed his youth in Russia, and of late
years devoted much time and study to the rela-
tons existing between the Russian empire and
the several states Of central Asia which have,
from time to time, been swallowed up by that
all-devouring power. The book may therefore,
be regarded as an authority on the subject of
the Russian advance upon the borders of India,
and thus far there appears to be no reason to
doubt either the historical statements that are
given or the business Of the conclusions that are
drawn from them. The author has certainly
demonstrated the fact that he understands the
whole matter, from beginning to end, and as he
seems to be no alarmist Me prophecies he makes
are entitled to, and will 10 doubt receive, such
measure of attention as they deserve.
Fer number of years there have been two
Russian movements toward India, one original
ing at Orenburg, and having Cabul for its ob
iective point the other starting from the Caspian
sea and directed toward Eerat. Much confusion
has arisen in the minds of people not
thoroughly familiar with the subject,
from confounding these two, when they
are entirely distinct the officials, the troops and
the purpose all being different. The two move
ments have been the cause as Marvin explains,
of one great nistake-the notion that great
mountain ranges bar the way to India. This is
perfectly true as regards the advance from Oren-
burg. but so far as the road from the Caspian to
the Indian frontier il concerned there are no
natural obstacles of this kind, and it is quite
possible to drive ur-in-hand from the shores
of the Caspian sea to the Indian frontiers. AL
though the Orenburg movement at one time
promised to become threatening, it was aban
doned many years ago. and the whole attention
of the Russian government turned to the Herat
route. Several times in Russian history has
the government of the Gar made settlements
on the east Caspian coast but not until 1869
did there seem to be any definite point In them
or any purpose to be Subserved, since the coun-
try to the east was desert with only
caslonal oasis and a very sparse and exceed
ingly savage and warlike population. From
1869 to 1873 the Russians continued to hold the
country, though by a slender thread, for the
Turkomans soon learned to fight in the European
fashion, and a long series of reverses for the
Russians wound up in 1879 by a crushing
defeat and rout at Geek Tepe. So
desperately did the Turkomans fight
for a considerable time of reducing them
to submission, but finally the celebrated Skobeleff
was sent to the country, and, after a terrible
siege Of Geek Tepe, finally captured the place
by blowing up portion CT the Notifications with
q mine, drove the now defenseless Turkomans
ont of the city, turned the artillery upon the
fugitive crowd OF men, women and children.
and over 200 of the defenders of the place
and their helpless families persisted either
during the storm or in the massacre that fol-
lowed.
THE ENGLISH RETREAT.
Just as the Russians began this advance the
English determined to retire from Afghanistan,
which they had for some years held by strong
bodies of troops. The plan was greatly object
ed to by the army and those in position to
understand the situation, but the government
paid no attention 20 their remon
strances, and the English army marched
away, the Russians improving the oppor-
tunity by industriously spreading reports that
the English had been driven away by the fear of
the Russians A short peace left the Russians
time to organize their new possession, when
they again assumed the aggressive. The terrific
ry between Askabad and Herat is largely com
posed of desert with few rivers which lose
themselves in the sands, and an occasional oasis.
One of the most fertile cases is that of Merv,
situated about halfway between the Russian
frontier as it then was and the acknowledged
border of Afghanstan, but nominally under the
government of the Ameer. The frontier Rus
SLAMS went at once to work to create a Russian
party at Merv and soon succeeded SO far in
their purpose as to induce the people of Merv
te allow Russian traders to enter the oasis os-
tensibly for the purpose of carrying on COM
rnerce, when the very first caravan accom-
panied by Russian spy. who obtained enough
accurate sketches of the defenses and
Notifications of the place to enable
Russian army to take it almost by surprise
in 1882. Just at this time the Egyptian
question was exciting good deal of attention in
Europe and the interest taken In 1t by the
English government was deeply resented by
Russia, who not conceiving that the English
would give up country that they had ever
once occupied, began to cast a1out for the
means of retaliation. The opportunity was
found in Afghanistan. 1t never has been
secret that the Russian government is de-
termined some day to have Constantinople and
has found England to be the principal opponent
to her ambition in this direction. Still the
Russians have always had hope that when the
decisive moment came the interference of
England might be prevented by allowing the
annexation of Egypt to the British empire
When the Russian goyernment found
had forestaled Them and actually
take possession of Egypt without their
advice or assistance, they proceeded to resent
the affront by making advance in the direc-
tion of India. In central Asia pretext for doing
anything is seldom long wanting, and trivial
quarrel between outposts was made the pretext
for further advance OF the Russian troops into
the borders of Afghanistan In order that this
might be done with some appearance of right,
quarrel had already been opened with the Shah
of Persia, who undertook to subdue some border
troubles ON his own territory when the Russians
forbade him to do it, claiming that the territory
belonged to them. Thus both the Ameer of At
ghanistan and the Shah of Persia were bulhed
into acquiescenee for the time being and the
Russian army occupied not only Merv, to which
Russia had not shadow of claim, but the entire
oasis.
FOLLOWING THE TURKodANS.
Ill L; Il.