New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-23


is one Of the most important and Interesting
studies of the time, and study which cannot
hut cause grave uneasiness TO Englishmen, how
ever secure they NAV have felt themselves hitherto
in the assumption of imperial supremacy. A
work which devotes TO each British colony care
ful and elaborate separate examination, and which
GOES into all the questions OF each colony pa
tiently and fully cannot be reviewed In the ordi-
nary way, nor is it possible to touch upon many
of the subjects considered in it, The scope and
hearing of Sir Charles's inquest, however, may
he indicated and differences may ne drawn from
his perfectly candid criticisms as TO the nature
and extent of the dangers which menace the En-
pire. and the value of the measures of defence
and precaution which the author recommends lie
begins his survey with the Dominion of Canada,
and here he finds, on the whole, ground for SAT-
isfaction. The Canadians, he thinks. arc growing
steadily, somewhat slowly, and they are hoC
growing away from the mother country. The ldea
of annexation to the United States. he CONSIDERS
has obtained deep root in any part OF the DO
minion. The Catholics of Quebec do not approve
il. for they fear the effects of close contact with
the great American Protestant body. The protest.
ants do not welcome it, for they see in it merely
loss of independence and dignity, besides dlml-
mutton of commerce and increase of competition.
frontier against the United States in case OF war
with that Power, and in such an event she might
have very difficult task before her. The "a
madam Pacific Railroad would. of course. be para
lived, for il can be cut at many points. though
with difficulty on the British Columbian side. On
that side of the continent the terminus on bnte
Inlet, the naval station at Esquimalt, or ooth'
might be put in state OF defence' 'housh "o
present both points unprepared for attack
and are therefore exposed to danger not only from
America. but from Russia, which latter from her
port of Vladivostocl could at any time seize
or destroy the principal coaling station in the
North Pacific
Sir Charles, however does not believe that there
is the least present danger of war between Ing
land and the United States and he believes that
Canada will maintain her position and bulld up
her commerce and agriculture in peace and har-
mony with her great neighbor. With Russia the
case is very different and her relations with Eng
land in Central Asia form the subject of one OF
the most valuable and interesting sections IN
the book Sir Charles Dixie is not an alarmist.
but neither is he an optmist. He sees things as
they are, and he carefully avoids gratuitouS as
symptoms His conclusions as 10 the defence
of India are certainly not rose-colorcd The pres
ent Indian army is too weak 10 perform the work
entrusted 10 it. 1t is not prepared 10 fight for
empire as troops must fight who are called upon
TO face Russia, either in Afghanistan or upon
the Indus. The gravity Of this is emphasized
by the declaration that England cannot afford
to lose the first battle. To do so, Sir Charles
maintains would be to give the signal for revolt
in the rear The Independent Indian princes
are not TO be trusted. Their loyalty could not be
expected to stand against probably successful
Russian invasion. They have armies aGgregating
100000 men and ! 900 pieces of artillery, and
though no doubt large proportion of these
forces is worthless 10 oppose to European troops,
the greater part Of them could do a
great deal of mischief in irregular warfare. and
would by acting upon the British communications
paralyze the army at the front. Sir Charles
contends that the native princes should be dis
armed, or at least be compelled to reduce their
military forces so as to guard against this danger.
But even if it were entirely removed, others
not less serious remain. One-third of the native
British forces is composed Of Bcngalesc. who are
quite unfit to cope with such picked Russian
force as would alone be employed upon invasion.
These, therefore must be left out of account. and
only the Mahometans, Silks, Ghoorkas. Pathans,
etc. must be counted upon to send TO the front But
such a reduction will leave the second army corps
too weak efectually TO support the first. and to
meet the emergency fresh troops must be brought
from England, work of great difficulty. and one
which raises the question whether, indeed, Eng
land has the troops TO spare.
Sir Charles holds that England cannot afford
70 let Russia seize Iierat and balkh, but that as
things are she is unable TO prevent such seizure.
In fact, the Afghan situation fairly bristes with
difficulties and perplcXities Thus British adj
vance to CandahaI in time Of peace would GER
tainly offend the Aighans In time OF war such
Dttcl ia
were allowed TO take Herat she would thereby
bring her headquarters and base line up 10 that
point. whence she would be able to operate against
India with immensely increased effectiveness
Yet nothing can he done to hinder such move
ment. unless it took the form of an ultimatum t.
the effect that o Russian advance to Hcrat undel
any pretext whatever would be regarded as
declaration of war The Afghans now consider
England pledged TO defend their country agalns
Russia. So believing, they are friendly. But III
Charles points out that should Russia seize Hera
and England permit the act the Alehans woui'
not merely cease TO be friendly-they would al
nest certainly go 10 Russia, because tie,
admire power. If they went over to Russia
moreover, they would at once become eager " 100
India. and they would add greatly to the genera
danger. The advances already made by Russ
To Sarakhs and Penjdeh the building of tn
Transcaspian Railway, the absolute sublusaiio
of the Khanates have during the last twenty year
entirely changed the aspect Of the Central ASIA
problem. Mr. Curzon may be quite night IN hi
belief that the transportation power OF the Trans
caspian Railway has been greatly exaggerated an
in holding that the concentration at the front o
force strong enough 10 invade India would tax
long time But while peace lasts Russia car
on one pretext and another, he pushing iorwar
small bodies of troops one after the other an
distributing them along the frontier; and whc
presently the crisis comes, nothing will renal
to be done but concentration
1t is impossible TO read Sir Charless careful an
detailed analysis of the situation without reachin
the conclusion that if he is right there is nc
today a sufficient force in India TO hold III
country against a well-appointcd and slifully col
Quoted Russian invasion If it is absolutel