The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-13
THE AFGHAN FRONTIER.
The Disputed Boundary Discussed by a
Friend of Russia.

u
Friend of Russia.
Cable Special
why is Russia seeking to push the southern
boundary Of Turkistan into Afghanistanl" asked
the correspondent of an eminent diplomatic
The answer was: Russia is doing nothing of
the kind. There is strip of disputed terriSs=y
lying between the two countries. The line of
delmtation is as yet, vague, and it is only mag
mary as far as the natives on both sides are con-
cerned. Both Afghans and Turcomans in that
part of Asia rely chiefly upon their herds of cat
tie for sustenance. Cattle require feed and salt
Grazing lands and salt wells found on both
sides of the boundary line. Perhaps the Turco-
man is as much to blame as the Afghan, but
each of them drives his cattle where they can
get grass, water and salt When they are told
that they are crossing the boundary line, they
say: Where is the boundary limo Show it to
u.s. Is it on the groundl We have looked there.
Is it in the SKYE We have looked thore, and we
have not found it.''
What harm comes from this vagucness OF
the boundary!'
"There are continued incursions OF cattle
thieves from the Afghan side of the disputed ter
ritory 1t is not matter OF stealing few bull
locks or cows and changing brand or two, but
extensive raids ara organized in which hundreds
of well.mounted and wolleQuipped men are en-
gagged or course, the owners Of the cattle re.
sist, rs well as they can, but tho Afghan raiders
are almost invariably successful, and, perhaps,
q thousand head Of cattle arc driven into Afghan.
! istan, while their late owners and few Of the
| Afghans lie dying in the fields"
"Then the desire Of Russia is to pacify the
| frontier, and prevent these incursions in fu.
| tureW
THAT is not only the desire, but the intention
| of his Majesty the Car. 1t is the duty of the
stronger power 10 preserve order on the frontier.
| Perhaps you do not understand this obligation in
america, because you have no quarrels with
authorized marauders from Canada or Mexico
I were continually harassing your frontiers.
| Your President would not say to Great Britain
or TO Mexico: You must keep your scoundres
back. Not at ALL He would seize them when.
over they appeared on American soil for unaw-
! full purposes and shoot or hang them, as the
case might be.
What has England to do with all thisl"
You could find the answer to that question
| on the Stock Exchange moro easily than at this
embassy if the fnanciers would tell you tho
truth, as am doing Russia is building a rail.
way from Askalad toward Herat England is
trying to build one from Quettah toward the
| same objective point. / do not know that there
is any military significance in either of these
facts, but the Capel Court gentlemen have made
believe that it is patriotic duty to buy shares
and debentures in the Quettah ard Herat road.
l nope 1t Will be paying investment for them,
| but am not in it myself"
| Then you think this threatened war s only
bondholders talk!'
mo. Please take notice that did not say
that"
| He threw away his big cigarette and straight
ened himself In his chair and contracted his
| brow with an ugly scowl, for the first time dur
! ing the interview, as he said: 1T is impossible
! and England may we'll understand it now
| for Russia to continue to submit to English die
tation in Russian Afghan. Russia's rights in
! Afghanstan are fOur-fod greater than Eng.
lands, but Russia has no idea of invading that
country. The Afghans are our neighbors and
should be our friends. England is very distant
| both from Thorn and Us. and should keep her
hands Off. If she rushes in where we have alb.
stained from encroaching, it may be necessary
to teach her lesson-in international polite
ness. lneano
But it is said that Russia is about to seize
| Herat; is that true!f
mo The idea that Russia should attack
Herat is absurd. The town is u natural strong
| hold, it is we'll fortified, and it is defended by
an ample garrison of well armed soldiers, who
| If they lack anything in drill, more than make
! up for it in fanatcisin To capture Herat would
involve an enormous cost and would embtter
the Afghans. whom it is the Russian policy to
conciliate"
| Does Russia wish to concilate the Ameer
of Afghanlstan with Wow to an advance upon
! India!
"No. distinctly deny that the Gar has any
intention of making demonstration against
/ India, but it must be evident to every one that
II his Majesty had any such intention the very
last thing that he would dream of doing would be
| to incur the hostility of the Afghans."
do you believe that there will be war be-
| tween Russia and England
Il do not know. | hope not. Russia is pur-
suing an aggressive policy. Her military move.
ments have been confined to her own soil But
she is in the right and will never surrender. If
war is to be forced upon her. it will be fought to
the end and it will be one of the hloooiest wars