Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1885-04-22
The Russo afghan Difficulty.

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England. OF late years Russia ha
conquered large tract of land il
Asia, known as Turkestan. 1t is alsc
evident that she is seeking an Quite
to the Indian Ocean, and no person
can reasonably find fault with her fol
trying to do so. At present Afghan
istan, Beloochistan and Persia form O
barrier to her progress. Russia:
great ambition was to own the coun'
try through which the Black Sea out
let runs. That would have given the
desired outlet. She has been obliged
to give up that project, as England,
Austria and other nations protest.
The boundary between Asiatic Rus
STA and Afghanistan has not yet been
definitely settled. Russia claims the
boundary should run so as to be
about thirty miles north of Herat.
The Afghans claim that the boundary
should be about one hundred miles
further north. Afghan is under Brit.
ish protection. Her ruler receives
from Britain large amount of money
every year to pay his expenses. 1t is
therefore a sort of British colony. 1t
is also regarded as barrier to pre-
vent India from being invaded. Brit
ain believes Russia has designs on
India, therefore any attempt of Rus
STA to conquer Afghanistan is regard
ed by the British as an attempt to
conquer India. The disputed terri
tory is on the northwest of Afghan
istan, and adjoins Persia and Russian
Asia, and some time ago Russia and
Britain agreed to leave the matter to
commission, and until the commits
sion had settled the question, tho dis
puted territory was to be unoccupied
by either Russian or Afghan forces.
Gen. Lumsden was in command of
the British commission, and has been
at the place appointed for some time.
The Russian commission failed to APP
pear. Lumsden's escort is about
1900 strong. In the meantime the
Russians appear to have occupied
part of the disputed territory,
and on March 30th, battle took
place between the Russians and
Afghans, at Pendjeh, in which the
latter was defeated, and lost 500 men,
according to Russian accounts. The
Russians say they were obliged to at
tack the Afghans, who had invaded
Russian soil. The British claim that
the Russians made a wanton attack
OH the Afghans, and without cause.
Britain asked Russia to remove her
forces from the disputed territory I'M
til the commission has reported.
Russia declined to do so. This placed
both nations on the verge of war.
Russia hurried reinforcements to
Afghanistan. Britain has force of
about 10000 mon on the northwest
ern frontier of India, ready to march
towards Herat at an hours notice.
Immense war preparations are being
made by both powers. There seems
to be belief that a war will take
place sooner or later between these
two powerful nations, and that it may
just as well take place this year as in
the future.
The Russian army, on peace foot
ing, numbers about 100000 men, and
100000 on war footing. Her
population numbers over 100,000,000
of many races. Her weak point is
said to be her finances.
The British regular army, on March
LIST, numbered 1874 ,209; the volunteers
2OS,000; the reserve, 10000; the
Militia, 10000; the yeomandy, H.
900; the Indian troops 10000; total
646,000. The population Of England,
Ireland and Scotland is 35,246,562,
while India has 255,541 ,21O. The to-
tai population of Great Britain and
all her colonies numbers over 300,-
100000.
Russia will have considerable ad-
vantage in being near the seat of war,
while England will have to transport
men and war supplies several thous-
and miles. England has other weak
spots. AT present she is engaged in
the Soudan war. Ireland is disaffect-
ed and large number of soldiers
have to be stationed there. India is
said to be ripe for instruction. Cana
da has her hands full in subduing the
Northwest rebellion. The Afghans
can not be depended upon. The peo-
pie Of Hindostan, however, have no
love for Russia, and it seems certain
they can be depended upon to resist
Russian invasion. India can furnish
millions of soldiers, good fighters.
Russia also has her weak points.
Her vast empire is made up of con-
quered nations, who are kept loyal by
force. Poland will revolt at the first
opportunity. Turkey would be glad
of chance to pay back the defeats
and farritorial enoI;ot;o,,. .lo L.. -