National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-04-11
England,s Quarrel with Ru.s,a.

To the inquiry, what are England and
Russia going to fight about?" the New
York Sun replies: England, as every
body knows, has an immense empire in
India. Russia has of late years been
pushing her conquests in the direction Of
India, and about two years ago. when tho
Russians seized the oasis of Mery. and got
control of the great Turooman desert,
they came right up against what has al
ways been regarded as one Of the bulwarks
Of India-Aighanistan. Then England
became alarmed.
Look at a map Of Asia and you will see
that all along the northern edge of India,
like o wall OF defense, runs the gigantic
chain of the Himalayas, the greatest
mountains in the world. At the north
western corner of India this range of
mountains splits up, and, turning toward
the southeast, spreads out into q number
of diverging ranges which cover Afghan
istan, the backbone of the system being
the colossal Hindoo Koosh mountains
This rugged country Of Afghanistan,
therefore, forms sort of natural breast
work for India toward the northwest, the
direction from which an invasion by
Russia would come, and so England has
for years kent sharp oversight of things
in Afghanistan. In the northwestern
corner of Afghanistan lies tho fortified
town of Herat, which, on account Of its
commanding position, has long boon
known as tho key to India. Right over
against Herat on the NORTH and only some
200 miles away. is tho new post Of the
Russians at Merv.
After the Russians had got control Of
the country thus bordering on Afghanis-
tan the question Immediately came up as
to where the exact boundaries Of the
latter country were. England was sc
anxious TO keep the Russians from adj
vancing further, and so fearful that their
next step would carry them to Herat
that sho lost no time in demanding that
these boundaries BIO definitely settled, aud
o joint commission Of Russians and Eng
lishmen was appointed TO deal with the
question on the spot. This commission
has been on tho ground during the past
year, but has not reached an agreement
The Russians, it appears, claim piece o.
territory between the rivers Murghat
and Herr Rud, issuing from the Afghan
mountains, the control OF which. it II
alleged, would give them command o.
the road to Herat. Tho town of Penj
doh, which, 1t is said, the Russians hav,
Just captured, lies upon this road, and
according to English claims, within thu
, edge OF the Afghan territory.
The recent negotiations between Eng
land and India relate to the question a
10 where the line should DO run, an(
what should be regarded as debatabl,
/. ground for the purpose. Two or three
weeks ago the two governments agreed
not to make any further advance OIL
either sidO pending the negotiations
that is, Russia promised not to push he
! troops further into the debatable ground
and England undertook to restrain he
> friends, tho Afghans. The recent battl
between The Russians and Afghans, how
: over, shows that one side or the other ha
failed 10 keep back.
, AS England believes that tho safety @
I. her Indian empire depends upon tn
keeping of the Russians out of Aighanis
/. tan, tho world looks on to see h, aid th
J. Afghans against Russia with all th
y power and prestige of her arms.