New-York tribune., 1889-12-22

Afghan sentiment and perhaps also in Afghan
action But the Transcaspian Railway, backed
by this astute fiscal policy. is crowding British
and Indian products out of Persia also. lhere
is already talk of "a great mercantile compiha
ton. which is to embrace Eastern Europe and the
whole Of Central Asia. including Persia ana
Afghanistan with the Transcaspan Railway as
its pivot Rumors of projected banks TOT 'en'i''
Asia are rife at the same time, ana I'll sis"'
indicate that Russia appreciates her new com
merclal opportunities fully and is prepared ~
utilize them to the utmost. clearly realizing their
secondary value in furthering her military proJ''''
and establishing her Asian government more
firmly.
The strateeicaI Importance Of the new railway
is clear II has resulted in the entire shi1tlng
of the centre of gravity in Central ASIA ,hc
s,,percession of Turkeston by Transcaspia' the
dethronement of Tashkent by Askabad' twenty
wears ago everything pivoted upon Tashkent, but
Sl,obcler's victories pushed Transcaspia to the
front Saws Mr.. Curzon Established at AsKa-
had. AZ Sarakho and at Merv. with frontier OUT
nosts Mt Pnl-i-Katum and Penideh. with railway
station only ninety miles from Sarakho. when
itself Is only 40 miles from Herat, Russia mas
acouired and has fortified new line OF advance
and has planted her foot on the path whlch
every Indian conQueror has trod from Alexander
70 Nadir Shah Add to this that she has immedl-
ately behind her peaceful country through which
her rule is everywhere accepted, ana The I'M
portance of the advance will be better realized
She is now in position to seize llerat at almost
anv moment nor could England prevent her from
doing So Moreover, as Mr.. Curzon points out,
should she take this step just before winter. she
would have six months of complete immunity IN
which to consolidate her strength and establish
herself firmly in the valley of the Herf-Rud. Tor
during winter all military operations In Afghan
istan have to he suspended, and the English, how
ever well prepared, must await the spring before
advancing TO the attack Even were they able
to move forward soon after the seizure they would
still be at a great disadvantage being compelled
to march 500 miles from railway communication
and 10 transport their supplies over country
certain to he swarming with predatory hordes'
drawn by the prospect of plumber, Russia' on
the other hand, would be close to her base OF
supplies. and would also have the fertile valley
of the Her-Rud under her hand All things con-
sidered. Mr., Curzon's conclusion that If Russia
takes Herat it will be wisest to let her keep IT,
appears rational one
lie is under no illusions as to the possibility
of an invasion of India. either. and points out
Ulree routes, tlllcI VI al VI WlAOh 'N"'" ~
available, while by taking one of them-that
through Seistan-Russia might turn the BRUSH
scientific frontier" and render all the elaborate
tiefences recently completed useless. But while
our candid author realizes the danger of invasion,
he does not for a moment admit the possibility
Of its success, and he puts his nnger upon one
very weak spot in the Russian arguments. AL
Russians, he observes, who have written upon
this subject. have assumed that the first and most
necessary effect of invasion would be general
Indian rising Now here, Mr.. Curzon maintains
the Russians deceive themselves egregiousy. Inc
hatred of English rule which they presuppose IN
the population of India does not really exist
On the other hand, all the Indian princes ana the
leading natives are dreadfully afraid of Russian
rule, and this is proved by the prompt oners OF
assistance in treasure and troops made by the
Indian princes to the Government when war
with Russia appeared to be impending In lSfo
Mr.. Curzon is satisfied that no rising would follow
an invasion unless II was one for the defencc
of the country against the invaders. Neverthe-
less, he does not disguise his CONVICTION that tne
ensuing war would strain the power OF England 10
the utmost and that IL might lead to incalculable
European changes The whole subject is discussed
with the highest intelligence and breadth OF view
and the fullest information. The general con-
clusons reached are TO the effect that the frontier
Of India is seriously menaced. that Russian ag-
gressions in Afghanistan are certain to provoke
war in the end, and are intended to do So that
therefore England should so act as TO maintain the
ability TO choose her own methods OF defence and
offence when the time comes; that it would be
very imprudent for her to advance far from her
present base yet that she may be compelled TO
hght in Afghanistan: that she ought TO protect
her flank by securing railway concessions In
Persia and particularly in Scstan. and that
for the present the closest attention should
he paid to Afghan affairs. and every effort be
made to secure the friendship Of those people.
Mr.. Curzon has written a book which will long
serve for reference, and which must take front
rank in the literature of the questions treated
He is clear, vigorous and graceful writer. tenn
perate in statement, concise and strong in argu-
work is completed by good maps and very full
photography, and by appendices giving distances,
directions TO travellers and copies of important
treaties and other documents IL is well and
amply illustrated from Photographic views.