Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-26
The Afghan Problem.

be war. Touching the matter Of the
diplomatic correspondence between
London and st. Petersburg, the cable
continues to tell from day to day the
same old story il has been telling
for weeks. One telegram gives us the
assurance that everything is highly
satisfactory aud that complete under
standing has been arrived at, but before
it is well in type along comes another
telegram TO the effect that Russia is OBJ
stinate and that the situation is very
critical. However. on one point
there. seems to be little doubt.
Whether or not England has been
fighting for time she has apparent
" made better use Of the time con-
sumed in negotiations than has Russia,
and now has the whip-hsnd. In other
words. she has beaten Russia at Rus
sia's own game. As we have stated,
and as had been clear from the begin
ming of the trouble, il was evidently
Russia's design to take advantage of
the fact that public attention in Eng
land was absorbed in the Soudan
affair. and to provoke a conflict with
the Aighans that would afford an excuse
for seizing Herst. This done, she
might, as circumstances proved fayOra-
BILE or uufayorubie, push further to-
wards the Indian border, or apologize
and wait. Certain it is, that once in
possession OF llerat, the goal Of all
her eastern movements, she would
not eyacuate il. such step would be
contrary 10 the policy that she has pur-
sued ever since she was taught that
Constsntinople could not be secured by
direct attack contrary to what the
old Russia party, which is now
the ruling party, holds 10 be mani
fest destiny. In the mean time England
has done what virtually amounts to
taking Hcrat. English officers have
entered the = city Of the hills" with the
consent OF tbs Aighans, and are show
ing the Afghan commander how to
strengthen the Qualifications. The city
is situated in slight depression on the
summit of rocky ridge 1850 feet high,
is surrounded by an carthen wall $50
feet broad at the base, and 60 feet
high, capped by a stone wall 9 feet
thick at the base and IL feet high. At
various points towers, which command
a view Of the whole country ada
cent. rise above the wall, and the
whole is further protected by
wet ditch - feet wide and Il
feet deep. With such Notifications
strengthened under the supervision Of
English engineers and equipped with
modern artillery the place is almost
iinpregnable aud although there is no
doubt that Herat is in Afghan terri
tory--and consequently the "advice"
Of the English officers, given in response
10 an invitatios from the Amecr. does
not constitute an act Of wai-it stands
10 reason that were Russia TO
advance England would not relinquish
this quasi occupation. On the con-
trary, Judging from English feeling, it
is reasonable to suppose that she would
assume the responsibility OF the Amecr's
acts, and by bringing up succor from
Que,ta or Csndahar precipitate
decisive conflict That she does
not consider such an emergency
as unlikely to arise is shown by the
notes Of preparation for war that come
from India. While the English and the
Russian Cabinets have been fencing
Earl DUEFERIN, the Indian Ficeroy,
has modified two army corps Of 25 900
men each with a reserve Of 10000 men,
and will immediately send them to
the front, where large British
force is already stationed. Another
advantage that England seems to have
gained b. what some term temporizing
is that she has rendered of no effect the
efforts of Russia to tamper with the
Amer. The result of this is that any
march English troops may make upon
Herat will be through a friendly coun-
try, w,Hle the only route that the Rus
slams can take in trying to reach the
same objective point will subject them
TO hsiassing attacks from rowing bands
Of brave and vindic,iye tribes. Again.
the Russian column in the Fast is
comparatively small, and it will be
exceedingly difficult to reinforce it.
England, however, has Immense reserves
from which TO draw, and although she
cannot retrieve the fatal error made
when work on the railroad from Quota
to Csudahsr was abandoned, she
can keep up line Of communication
from Quetts that will enable her to
move troops with surprising rapidity.
We repeat, therefore, that whatever
may have been the object Of Mr.. GLAD
sTONE'spolicy, England certaiuly seems
to hare the whip-hand at present.
--------------------
Hon. W. A. j. SPARKS. of Illinois.
the new Commissioner Of the General
Land 0fiiee, spoke in the Theatre
in this city in the Democratic State
Convention of 1850. lie is very
pleasant and ready speaker, and good
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