Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-03-28

extreme southern point. Afghanistan
claims control over this region, over which
Turcoman robbers exercise all the real
power visible in the section Had England
not abandoned her railway projects in At
ghanistan, she would not have the present
difficulty upon her hands, But she did
cease work upon the line from her Indian
frontier to Kandahar and stayed her pro-
gress south Of Khojack pass and thus i'm
periled her advantage to throw heavy
bodies of troops at any time toward the
Russian frontier. y peaceful settlement
of the boundary-line question between At
ghanistan and Trrkestan was at one time
in progress, through the agency of Com
mission appointed by Russia, England and
Atghanistan. But, for reasons never fully
explained, and probably for which no ex-
PLANTATION can be given, the Russian Com
missioner delayed action, co-operated but
listlessly, aud finally the whole scheme fell
through Russia, in fact, did not care to
settle the matter. She preferred to await
her opportunity to advance her southern
outposts and, if possible, control the route
to India, and thus hold England at mercy
The gain of eighty miles southwark
would really bring Russia several
hundred miles nearer to India, since il
would give her command Of the Herat
road. England has her northerly Indian
outposts in the region of Quetts, near the
Afghan's southern torder, This is 12t
miles from Kandahar in Afghanistan. The
Disraeli Government built railway
toward the latter point out Of India, but tbs
Gladstone Government stepped It's con
struction when but halfway to Kan
dahar. In the meantime a Russian
railway has been pushing southwark
and easterly, parallel with the Persian
border, from the Caspian toward the
region now in dispute, and hence the say
ing that there is race for Herat across
the waste that separates the Russian coast
of the Caspian Sea from the northern line
Of India. Penideh or Punji Deem is III
the midst Of the disputed wedge-shaped
territory, ard this is the immediate OBJ
iectiye point of the Russian advance
Afghanistan is terrifying Penjdeh and
iIerat. and ENGLAND IS pledged by treaty
and Il more forcible Observation-Disclosures
TO uphold the Afghan arms. The real
question, therefore, is, Where shall the
line be drawn against the southeasterly
advance of Russia? England would place
it about forty miles north of Penideh and
at right angles to AIoorghab river, which
connects Penjdeh and Merry or Mervu-
sha Jehan. She would have it extend
from there directly east, bearing north but
little, to the Amoo or Jinoon river, and
south of west slightly to the eastern
boundary Of Persia. Russia would fix the
line she must respect as far southwark as
She possibly can. To the understanding OF
these positions a diligent study OF the
map will contribute and tend to simplify
the accounts of the struggles of two great
nations, The one to shear the other ofpower
bycIose approach to her Indian possessions,
and the other TO keep the ambitious
nation as far away from the pastures as
possible. Diplomatic skill can bring aJont
q settlement of the question at issue, and
we believe it will but in the meantime
preparations for war viii probably 90 on.
We at this distant point have only good
to anticipate from any conflict Of arms.
What paralyzes industry, checks agri-
Culture and brings the spindle
TO standstill abroad, increases the de
mand for our products, 1t Is cold
blooded speculation, but natural and in
evitable one. As to the outcome Of war,
should it be declared between Russia and
England, there would seem TO be little
doubt England, with her Indian pro-
yincial strength. and the Afghan support,
must prove too formidable 4 Zoe for Rus
sia The latter viii be forced to operate
from distant base Of supplies, some 800
mi!cs England and Af9hanistan viii be
upon their own ground With as neara base
as they choose to make. True, the railway
from the Caspian will greatly facilitate
Russian operations, but it will remain that
the R1ssians must lie aggressive, move
troops and transport supplies long dis
tauce., aud conduct the campaign as one of
conquest, while the English Will have
the advantage Of the defensive position
and operations in county friendly to it,
and for the nominal independently of
which it IS contendins, It can reach the
scene Of action more rapidly than can
Russia, since It's gap Of non-rail route is
less, and its facilities for transportation
from India very much more effective than
those OF Russia from beyond the Caspian